Rising Sun Badge: Part 1
The General Service Badge, later known as the Australian Army badge, is affectionally called the Rising Sun badge. As the skills needed to make them are like those for uniform buttons (die-sinking etc), many well known Australian and overseas uniform button makers were involved: Gaunt, Tiptaft, Sheridan, Stokes & Sons, KG Luke, Amor, Swan & Hudson, Arendsen, AJ Parkes. However, many examples are unmarked. (NB: in early tenders, the badges seem to be described as Commonwealth badges, not General Service badges.)
There are 7 versions featured on the Army website: https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/history-and-research/traditions/rising-sun-badge
The Inspiration: Not a badge but a trophy
The Bulletin, 16th September 1959 page 52. The official Army story is below.
This trophy had been given to Gen. Hutton by Major Gordon of the South Australian Navy. The original drawing for the trophy by artist Frank Bartels was titled “The Australian Rising Sun”. It had originally been displayed at Fort Glanville, South Australia.
First and Second Patterns: Australian Light Horse
Australian War Museum item # RELAWM14445.002 Unknown maker.
Major-General Hutton asked that the trophy be the inspiration for the badge to be made for troops traveling to South Africa in 1902. (This story is disputed by some. See below*.) This was replaced only a couple of months later by a version that replaced the heraldic wreath with a scroll containing the words “Commonwealth Horse” and ‘Australia’ with ‘Australian’.
Second version used by 1St Australian Commonwealth Horse”, 1902. Warrnambool and District Historical Society. Unknown maker.
* Some claim the badge was designed by Colonel Cox-Taylor, based on the design from his old regiment, the 6th N.S.W. Infantry, and represented “the sun rising over the crown of the Empire on which it never sets.” In the first version (above) there does appear to be sun rays rather than the swords and bayonets used in the later versions. It was noted in 2001 that “there (was) no conclusive evidence as to who designed the badges” or as to the inspiration.
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 9th August 1924 page 8.
I dispute that there is “no evidence”, and is it not possible that there were more than one inspiration and more than one designer involved?
A news report about General Hutton inspecting troops of the Victorian Contingent on the 3rd February, 1902, noted that he stated the men should have a badge to wear, rather than just the letters “A.C.” for Australian Commonwealth. This confirms he was interested in details such as the design of the badges, even with time tight for the troops were about to leave.
Evening News (Sydney), 6th February 1902 page 2.
Letters exist dated 6-8th February between Hutton and his adjunct, General Hoad, which report a Melbourne based die-sinking firm being asked to submit designs, with Hutton accepting the design and asking it to be hastily made (by the 13th February).
A report dated 22nd February 1902 confirms that Hotton had already designed the new badge.
The Age (Melbourne), 20th February 1902 page 5.
Therefore, the “controversy” regarding Hutton’s involvement, and the “Rising Sun” verses “trophy of arms” inspiration must be put to rest, although it is still possible that others in his staff worked on the design. It must be remembered that this particular trophy was also inspired by the Rising Sun motif. It is not an either/or issue.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 30th June 1923 page 7.
The Melbourne die-sinkers were Stokes and Sons. They made the “distinctive badges”.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 2nd May 1902 page 202. This is part of the supplies for the “Second Commonwealth Contingent for Service in South Africa.” A similar order appeared in the 6th June 1902 gazette.
A special version of the badge was made for troops invited to King Edward’s coronation in 1902.
Australian War Museum #REL/17313.001. Unknown maker.
Third Pattern: Australian Commonwealth Forces.
Army (newspaper), 13th August 1981 page 6, quoting from earlier documents. Gaunt was involved with making an Australian badge, but had not finalised it in 1902, so Stokes & Sons initially supplied them.
In 1903 it was decided to design a badge for the Commonwealth Military Forces. J. R. Gaunt made the badges retaining the Australian Horse design. It was first only worn by staff, and did not come into general use until universal training was instituted in 1911. This design was worn during both world wars.
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