World War 1 appeal medals of Western Australia

World War I appeal medals of Western Australia Walter R Bloom and John McDonald Abstract Appeal medals were produced in Western Australia over the first four years of World War I in support of various worthy causes, including the Red Cross, Children’s Hospital and returned injured soldiers and widows of those who fought for Australia, the latter through the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of Western Australia (Incorporated). There has been very little known about these medals, not even their manufacturer, but an analysis of the die characteristics together with an examination of newspapers of the day and other contemporary records leads us to their common manufacturer, Cumpston’s City Electric Engraving Works, then located in Hay Street, Perth. Keywords [appeal medal] [Children’s Hospital] [Cumpston] [Dardanelles] [Kitchener] [Ugly Men] [World War I] Introduction Patriotism and support for the war effort during World War I was widespread throughout Australia, and particularly in Western Australia which saw many of the troops leave from Albany, headed for Europe and the Middle East. The endless demand for supplies, including bandages for the wounded, and the support for a growing number of war widows and their children, led to a proliferation of charities and street appeals. And there was a strong numismatic flavour, with both medals and badges sold on street corners and at various fixtures. The large mintages of these, and the corresponding large sums raised, are quite surprising given the relatively small population of Western Australia and the scarcity of surplus cash at the time. Here we concentrate on a particular style of medal, most of them extolling the war effort, all around 23.5mm in diameter, and most but not all including Western Australia in the legends. The medals Carlisle lists several medals of the First World War period that have very similar flans (all with diameter 23.5mm) and die characteristics. We now detail these in chronological order where possible, according to Carlisle reference, and examine their origins. We JNAA 26, 2015 19 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald shall argue that all these medals were struck by Richard Stanley Cumpston (City Electric Engraving Works). Note that Carlisle doesn’t list all the metal types. Carlisle 1914/2 Declaration of War This medal and the following one were probably issued to raise money for a “War Patriotic Fund” that was set up by the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Harry Barron, in August 1914. Obverse: (Kitchener)/DECLARATION OF WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND & GERMANY. Reverse: WESTERN AUSTRALIA. /STRIKE HARD/AND/STRIKE AGAIN/AUGUST. 1914. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Aluminium – Bronze – Brass Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. 20 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia Carlisle 1914/11 (Aluminium not listed in Carlisle) Declaration of War Obverse: (Crossed Australian and British flags and swan)/DECLARATION OF WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND & GERMANY. Reverse: WESTERN AUSTRALIA AUGUST. 1914./STRIKE HARD/AND/ STRIKE AGAIN. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Aluminium–Bronze–Brass Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. (die varieties) An appeal from the Governor announcing the establishment of the War Patriotic Fund was circulated to newspaper editors in Western Australia by the Colonial Secretary’s Office on 10th August 1914, for example: PATRIOTIC FUND. (1914, August 15). Great Southern Herald (Katanning, WA : 1901– 1954), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146217950 10th August, 1914. To the Editor of the “Great Southern Herald.”: Sir, The “attached appeal” is forwarded at the request of His Excellency the Governor for publication. Yours faithfully, J.M.Drew, Colonial Secretary. War Patriotic Fund for Western Australia. The horrors of war are upon us. A number of our men will shortly be leaving for active service on behalf of the Empire. We ought not to let them depart without affording them some assurance that those whom they may leave behind, and who may be dependent on them, will not be forgotten by us. A practical way of doing this is by at once forming a fund which shall be applied for the assistance of their relatives and dependents in cases of need. I therefore confidently appeal to the people of this State to help me to establish such a “fund.” The following committee has been appointed to control the fund ………...etc JNAA 26, 2015 21 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald Other newspaper extracts show that these “Declaration of War” medals went on sale to the public almost immediately afterwards, strongly suggesting that they were issued either by the Patriotic Fund Committee itself or for the benefit of the fund. Advertising. (1914, August 17). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879–1954), p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28564721 Boys wanted to sell Declaration of War medals, 2s. doz. profit. Kinnenment, 40 William St. Current Happening. (1914, August 25). Goomalling-Dowerin Mail (WA 1911–1916), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156481530 Mementoes of War Time.—Mr. J. W. Walker, the well-known stationer and bookseller has received a large number of war medals which he is offering to the public for pence (sic). They will form in years to come an interesting memento of Armageddon- They have as a motto the inscription “Strike Hard and Strike Again.” Carlisle 1915/17 East Perth Football Club (EPFC) Obverse: (Soldier with rifle)/STRUCK IN HONOUR.OF.OUR.BOYS.AT THE DARDANELLES. Reverse: WESTERN AUSTRALIA .1915./GOD SPEED/THE/ALLIES. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Aluminium–Bronze–Brass Mintage: at least 12,000 Mint: Cumpston’s. In Perth, the Daily News of Friday 2nd July 1915, p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.newsarticle81004976 carried a report quoting the President of the East Perth Football Club that included the following paragraph: 22 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia ........ we have adopted what I think is a very appropriate idea in striking a medal to commemorate the landing of the Australians at the Dardanelles. These have now been prepared, and are to be sold by members of our ladies’ committee at the various matches at 6d. each. From this it seems quite clear that the medal referred to must have been struck by the end of June 1915, and given the timing, in Perth. Just a week later, on 9th July, the same paper reported on p. 7 (http://nla.gov.au/nla.newsarticle80996755) that: The bronze medals struck by the East Perth Club to commemorate the Australian landing at the Dardanelles are selling very well. Already 1,600 have been disposed of. The proceeds are to be devoted, with those of the big bazaar, to the War Distress and Wounded Soldiers’ Funds. On the same date p. 6 of the Westralian Worker (http://nla.gov.au/nla.newsarticle148348830) carried an article stating that: East Perth have decided to devote the total receipts accruing from their efforts at the bazaar arranged during September to various funds. Ten thousand medals have been struck off, and lady members of the club’s committee are selling them at 6d. apiece. On Thursday 12th August 1915 an article on p. 11 of The West Australian (http://nla. gov.au/nla.news-article26952120) under the headings WAR APPEALS / RED CROSS SOCIETY / EAST PERTH FOOTBALL CLUB included the following information: ..... twelve thousand medals have been issued for sale in the different portions of the State and, as they are of very attractive design, it is expected they will be eagerly purchased in aid of the cause. The origins of this medal have previously been obscure, but we are confident that it can now be identified as the one struck for the East Perth Football Club and we can put the mintage at a minimum of 12,000. We also believe that this was the very first Australian medal commemorating the Gallipoli landing to be struck and issued to the public. JNAA 26, 2015 23 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald Carlisle W/8 c1914. West Australia Day “West Australia Day” was celebrated on 30th July 1915 (Bloom & McDonald, 2015). It was part of a nationwide event (except for Queensland) known as “Australia Day” in other states. Both this medal and the following one were clearly struck for this occasion and should therefore be assigned to mid-1915 rather than Carlisle’s tentative date of 1914. Obverse: (Swan)/WEST AUSTRALIA*DAY*. Reverse: blank. Size: 23.5mm Metal: Aluminium Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. Image courtesy Leslie Carlisle, taken by Bob Climpson of Noble Numismatics Obverse: (Swan)/WEST AUSTRALIA*DAY*. Reverse: (Kitchener)/DECLARATION OF WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND & GERMANY. Size: 23.5mm Metal: Aluminium Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. Image courtesy Leslie Carlisle, taken by Bob Climpson of Noble Numismatics Carlisle W/9 c1914. West Australia Day 1915/ (not listed in Carlisle) West Australia Day Drakesbrook was a small township some 100 kilometres south of Perth which is now known as Waroona. There are several regional variants of “Australia Day” medals from NSW, but this is the only known regional example from Western Australia. Carlisle 1916/10 Red Cross Society This medal was issued as part of a major fund raising exercise held by the Red Cross on Anzac Day in April 1916. At the time the event received some coverage in Perth newspapers, but this contained no specific information about the manufacturer of the medal or the number produced. The price of the medal was not reported, but 6d seems to have been a common figure for similar medals issued around that time. If we assume this figure, then the amount of income from the “Sale of Anzac medals” reported by the Obverse: (Swan)/WEST AUSTRALIA/* DAY *. Reverse: (Cross)/DRAKES * BROOK * ROADS * BOARD/30 July/1915. Size: 23.5mm Metal: Bronze Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. 24 Obverse: (Crossed Australian and British flags)/ W.A./1916. Reverse: (Cross with embedded 12)/RED CROSS QUEEN * MEDAL *. Size: 23.5mm Metal: Bronze Mintage: n/k Mint: ? JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia Red Cross in May 1916 (see below) would have been consistent with the disposal of over 8,500 medals, suggesting that the number minted was probably at least 9,000. THE RED CROSS WORKERS’ QUEEN. (1916, April 16). Sunday Times (Perth), p. 3 Section: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58012072 The Red Cross Workers’ Queen A Fine Suggestion Looking spick-and-span, the Red Cross Workers’ Queen, the popular wife of Mr Alex Clydesdale, was found at her committee rooms, 55 William-street, Perth, on Thursday evening, surrounded by a busy committee, headed by her chairman (Mr. Harry Mann) and her secretary, all busy as bees. “Well, Mrs. Clydsdale,” was our natural query, “how goes the day?”. To which she replied: “I am highly gratified with the work of this band of willing helpers that surrounds me. It is too early yet to speak about results. By the way, however, there is one matter of special importance that I would like your widely-read paper to mention, and that is Anzac Day. I feel that some emblem should be worn on that day to evidence the loyalty of all and to commemorate the brave deeds that were done at the Dardanelles that will live in history forever. To meet this we have had a medal struck, to which is attached a royal purple ribbon as a symbol of national mourning, whilst the medal commemorates the brave deeds of our soldier boys. These I propose to issue without cost of any kind. And Messrs. Boan Bros. have agreed to act as distributors free of cost. I have sent one of the medals to His Excellency the Governor, their Graces the Archbishops of Perth, the Premier and other prominent persons as a sample and asking their countenance and support, stating that the proceeds will be banked in a special fund to be used on behalf of our soldiers. If the badge is adopted by all as a national emblem, I shall indeed be a proud woman. The interviewer quite agreed with Mrs. Clydesdale and expresses the hope that all will adopt and wear the medal, and that the demand will exceed the supply. JNAA 26, 2015 25 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald BADGE FOR ANZAC DAY. (1916, April 13). The Daily News (Perth), p. 1 Edition: THIRD EDITION. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80888901 BADGE FOR ANZAC DAY (to the Editor) Sir,-I beg to enclose herewith for your approval a commemoration medal and badge which is proposed to issue by my committee as a national emblem on “Anzac Day”, and for which a suitable ribbon of royal purple is attached, for which we ask your commendation and support. It is thought by me, and my committee, that by the sale of these suitable emblems a distinctive badge will be placed in the hands of the public. All proceeds from the sale of these badges I purpose banking in a special fund, which will be devoted to such purpose as will be beneficial in some direction to the soldiers who so bravely and have so well deserved a national day of mourning. I might add that the matter is being handled by my committee without one penny of cost, by free effort all round – Yours etc,. May Clydesdale Queen of the Red Cross Workers Advertising. (1916, May 13). The West Australian, p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26979292 26 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia Carlisle 1916/11 Children’s Hospital (Perth) Obverse: (Kitchener)/HONOUR THE BRAVE/IN OUR MEMORY HE LIVES. Reverse: KITCHENERºS COMMAND/TO US ALL/CARRY ON/SOLDIER & MAN/CLOSED HIS/LIFE/JUNE 5TH.1916. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Aluminium – Bronze – Gilded Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. Of all the medals featured in this article, Carlisle 1916/11, Carlisle 1916/11a and 1916/11(b) are the only ones that at first glance have no connection with Western Australia; there is nothing in the legends or iconography to suggest that these even have an Australian connection, indeed up until recently local collectors and dealers had no idea of the origin of these pieces. A study through Trove indicates that the only mention of these medals is restricted to Western Australian newspapers, and reports of the time tell us that these were to be issued on 4th August 1916 which had been declared “Kitchener Memorial Day” in Perth (but this was subsequently delayed by a week to 11th August) . The brass and bronze versions were sold for 6d each to raise additional funds for the Perth Children’s Hospital, which had received a disappointing amount from the previous Red Cross Queen event. Carlisle 1916/11a Children’s Hospital (Perth) Obverse: (Kitchener)/DECLARATION OF WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND & GERMANY. Reverse: KITCHENERºS COMMAND /TO US ALL/CARRY ON/SOLDIER & MAN/CLOSED HIS/LIFE/JUNE 5TH 1916. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Bronze–Brass – Gilded Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. JNAA 26, 2015 27 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald 1916/ (not listed in Carlisle) Children’s Hospital (Perth) Obverse: (Kitchener)/DECLARATION OF WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND & GERMANY. Reverse: LORD KITCHENER’S/COMMAND TO US ALL/CARRY ON/____/SOLDIER & MAN/CLOSED HIS LIFE/JUNE 5TH 1916. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Bronze Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. (1916, July 19). The West Australian, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/ nla.news-article26985618 “Kitchener Memorial Medal.- In view of the fact that the amount received from the committee of the Queen carnival was not nearly up to our expectations, we are now forced to ask for funds to carry on. To assist in this direction it has been decided to issue a Kitchener memorial medal and dispose of it to the public on August 4, this being the anniversary of the day on which war was declared. Committees are being formed to carry out the scheme. The Minister for Education has approved of the medals being sold in State schools, and it is expected that in addition each soldier will purchase and wear the medals, by the sale of which our funds will be considerably augmented. We are pleased to state that the military committee of the Y.M.C.A. has expressed its willingness to do all in its power to help in the distribution of the medals, and we are extremely grateful for their generous offer. KITCHENER MEMORIAL DAY. (1916, August 11). The West Australian (Perth, WA: 1879–1954), p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26987947 KITCHENER MEMORIAL DAY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL REPORT Today is to be set apart by the committee of the Childrens’ hospital as “Kitchener Memorial Day”, when medals will be sold to the general public in the interests of the hospital finances, at a price of 6d. each. The movement has been made necessary, in view of the fact that the recent Queen carnival did not realise sufficient to serve the various charitable institutions as adequately as had been anticipated. Since the war began the cost of some hospital requisites has increased 300 and 400 per cent beyond the old prices, and when it is considered that, with the exception of an annual subsidy of £3,000 from the Government, the institution is maintained purely with the aid of public donations, the urgency of money to carry on will be recognised. In deciding upon a Kitchener medal the 28 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia committee considered that, in addition to augmenting the funds of the hospital, it would be showing some small appreciation of the late Secretary of State for War, and the idea is certain to prove popular with the public. The medal is a most picturesque and serviceable one. It is cast in bronze, and bears on one side the bust of the late Lord Kitchener, together with the words “Honour the brave in your memory he lives” and on the other side the War Lord’s exhortation to the nation to “Carry on” until victory is achieved. Medals will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the following stalls have been appointed: St. George’sterrace, Mrs. Shirley White: Railway Station, Mrs. Killick: William-street, Mrs. Hillier: Mandover’s (Hay-street), Mrs. McCallum Smith: Boans’ (Wellington-street), Mrs. George Taylor: Barrack-street, Mrs. T.G. Molloy: Weld Club, Post Office and Moore’s (Hay-street), Mrs. H. Mann: Foy and Gibson’s (Hay-street), Mrs. Ockeby: Boans’ (Murray-street), Mrs. Raphael: Town Hall, Mrs. Rae. In addition the management of both the Melrose Theatre and the English Pierrots have consented to assist the movement, and members of the two companies will render selections. Further assistance has also been willingly offered by the management of Vic’s Britannia and Pavilion cinema theatres, all three agreeing to devote the whole of the proceeds of the entertainment between 2 and 5 p.m. towards the hospital fund. Every person attending any of these theatres will be handed a medal. Studying the convenience of the business men of the city, the committee has decided to make available what are known as “exemption” badges. These will consist of white metal and may be purchased for 2s. 6d. each. Any person wearing one will be exempted from further requests. The seventh Annual Report of the Children’s Hospital includes in its statement of receipts for the year ended 30th September 1916 the following entry: Kitchener’s Medals £602 17s 1d The corresponding disbursements for the same period include the following entry: Kitchener’s Medals £318 0s 2d At 6d apiece this represents sale proceeds from over 24,000 medals. Note that with the different obverses and metals, this makes for six different types in all. The eighth Annual Report of the Children’s Hospital includes in its statement of receipts for the year ended 30th September 1917 the following entry: Kitchener’s Medals £57 1s 4d but with no corresponding entry under disbursements, so we could assume that this represents the proceeds of the sale of a further 2,282 medals from the original minting, giving a total of over 26,000 medals. Assuming that not all were sold, the total number minted may well have been something approaching 30,000, at an average production cost of around 2 ½ pence each. JNAA 26, 2015 29 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald Carlisle 1917/2 Returned Soldiers Although the legends are different the obverse and reverse designs on this medal are virtually identical to Carlisle 1915/17 (the East Perth Football Club medal). There can be no doubt that they came from the same manufacturer. However, for whom this medal was produced or how many were struck remains a mystery. Obverse: (Soldier with rifle)/IN HONOR OF OUR BOYS. SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. Reverse: WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 1917./GOD SPEED/ RETURNED/SOLDIERS. Size: 23.5mm Metals: Bronze – Gilded Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. Carlisle W/7 (1917) Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of Western Australia (Incorporated) To quote from http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Ugly_Men%27s_Association: Obverse: (Fireman’s helmet)/W.A. FIRE. BRIGADES. The Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Reverse: UGLY MENS NATIONAL MINISTRY/ Association of Western Australia Inc., SUPPORT OUR/PRESIDENT/J.B. HOLMAN/& INCREASE THE/PATRIOTIC FUND. Size: 23.5mm generally shortened to the Ugly Men’s Metal: Bronze Mintage: n/k Mint: Cumpston’s. Association or Ugly Men, was a fundraising and charitable organisation established in Western Australia in 1917. Previously, a Mrs Alicia Pell had organised an “Uglie Man” competition to raise funds for the Red Cross in Kalgoorlie. The East Perth Football Club then built on the concept to raise funds for the Perth Children’s Hospital and the War Patriotic Fund. The football club’s work developed into a successful grassroots organisation with the first branch opening in the Perth suburb of Mount Lawley and focussing on supporting cases of hardship caused by war. Further details of the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of Western Australia (Incorporated) can be found in the comprehensive thesis of Rita Farrell (See Bibliography). Mr J B Holman, mentioned on the medal, was President of the WA Fire Brigades Association, as indicated in The West Australian, (20th February 1906), p. 2. http://nla. gov.au/nla.news-article25632800. 30 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL. At the Hotel Fremantle, last night, the members of the Cue Fire Brigade, who are proceeding to Bendigo to take part in the annual demonstration of the Victorian Fire Brigade, were tendered a complimentary social by the W.A. Fire Brigades Association. The President of the Association (Mr. J. B. Holman, M.L.A.) presided over a large attendance, including Messrs. J. Price and F. Troy, M’s.L.A. His obituary can be found in The Sydney Morning Herald (24th February 1925) p 9. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16187527 MEMBER’S DEATH MR. J. B. HOLMAN In PERTH, Monday (23rd February 1924) Mr. J. B. Holman, member for Forrest in the State Parliament, died this morning. He was born at Bendigo, and subsequently worked as a miner at Broken Hill. Mr. Holman came to Western Australia in 1893, and became the general secretary and organiser of the AWU. In 1901 he was elected to the Assembly for South Murchison. He was the first Minister for Railways, and Minister for Labour and Industry in the Daglish Labour (sic) Government, and was Chairman of Committees in the Scaddan Labour (sic) Government for two Parliaments, but lost the Labour (sic) selection ballot in 1920, after holding the seat for l8 years. He was re-elected for Forrest on the death of Mr. Peter O’Loghlin. Bill Forest, historian at the East Perth Football Club, provided the following details. The 1916 Annual Report of the EPFC mentions the Ugly Men Competition, It was written up in the Truth Newspaper and Daily News. One fundraising activity was to get people to place a threepenny piece in a line in Hay St, with all of these going into the charity. The aim was to have 1 million pieces! Harry Mann, EPFC President, was very active in charity activities and was one of the founders of the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of Western Australia. Manufacturer and die comparisons The most difficult piece of information to locate was the manufacturer. None of the sources cited above made any mention of who struck these medals, but the single decisive clue was to be found in the Advertising section (p.1) of the 13th August 1917 edition of The Daily News (Perth). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81076271. A public notice presenting a “Statement of Receipts and Expenditures in connection with Effort for the War Patriotic Fund” on behalf of the Ugly Men’s National Ministry included the following expenditure item: R. S. Cumpston, Medal Struck for J. B. Holman, Esq JNAA 26, 2015 £9.0.0 31 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald This undoubtedly related to W/7 and firmly placed its striking with Richard Stanley Cumpston. It also verified the date of W/7 as 1917. The low charge by Cumpston, which includes the cost of dies, would indicate that the mintage of W/7 must have been very small, certainly well below five hundred. All medals have the same diameter, 23.5mm, and a close study of the dies used in striking the medals reveals that they all came from the same engraver, with the possible exception of 1916/10, although the similarity of its cross design to 1915/(unlisted) suggests that it probably had the same origin. W/7 is the only one for which we have documentary evidence to show that it came from Cumpston. Distinctive lettering with a very low aspect ratio and a rather “squat” appearance is used in the circumferential obverse legend on W/7 (“W.A. FIRE BRIGADES”). This is exactly matched by lettering used in various parts of the legends that appear on 1914/2, 1914/11, 1915/17, W/8, W/9, 1915/(unlisted) and 1917/2, most obviously by the “E”, “R” and “S”, as shown in the following illustration. So based on lettering matches, all of these medals can now confidently be attributed to Cumpston. W/7 1914/2 1914/11 1915/17 W/8 W/9 1915/ 1917/2 (unlisted) Comparison of distinctive lettering in legends 32 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia We also have die matches as shown in the following table: Carlisle Reference W/7 1914/2 1914/11 1915/17 W/8 W/9 1916/11a+ 1915/ 1917/2 1916/10 1916/11 (unlisted) (unlisted) Obverse “Swan” die match Reverse “Strike Hard….” die match Reverse “Kitchener’s Command” die match Bust match Same Obverse design (legends differ) Same Reverse design (legends differ) Parts of Reverse design the same (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Exact lettering matches General lettering similarity Summary of die matches. By row: die and design matches shaded yellow, reverse design part matches shaded pink, exact lettering matches shaded apricot, general lettering similarity shaded green. Taken together, the distinctive lettering and die matches provide a direct link to W7 for all but 1916/10. In summary, it is clear that Cumpston produced W/7, 1914/2, 1914/11, 1915/17, W/8, W/9, 1915/(unlisted), 1916/11, 1916/11a, 1916/(unlisted) and 1917/2. While we can’t say anything about 1916/10 on the basis of the evidence above, it would be surprising if this medal wasn’t made by Cumpston as well. Cumpston’s City Electric Engraving Works A history of Cumpston’s is beyond the scope of this article and is the subject of further research, but a flavour can be gleaned from the following excerpt from the Advertising. (1918, December 1). Sunday Times, p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57998009 JNAA 26, 2015 33 Walter R Bloom and John McDonald …..What gave birth to the above reflections was a visit we paid to the City Electric Engraving Works at 918 Hay-street, where is to be found one of the most complete electric engraving plants in the Commonwealth. This firm are contractors to the Commonwealth and State departments, and had the honor of making the seal for the Commonwealth government by order of Mr. C. H. Watson, the then Prime Minister. Mr. R. S. Cumpston has done a vast amount of important work here since he first completed orders for the Education Department some 16 years ago. The dating stamps at the G.P.O. were made by him, as well as all kind of bill stamps from 3d. to £100. He has had many orders from the Eastern States, but one he values most of all was one from the Governor-general, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, for a memorial tablet to keep for ever green the memory of one of his aides-de-camp who made the great sacrifice in France. Mr. Cumpston has made hundreds of honor boards and memorial tablets, and amongst the other branches in which he specializes may be mentioned brass plates and raised letter plates, borough and mining seals, dating and numbering stamps, club badges, burning brands, brass, steel and rubber stamps and dies, bottle seals, steel punches, newspaper headings, brass labels and checks, cattle and dog discs, camel discs, wood and type metal blocks, facsimiles and stencils. Amongst the machines to be found are two of the very latest for electric engraving, and one of these is capable of engraving a 5in letter or one small enough to reproduce the Lord’s Prayer three times on a threepenny-bit. At his other establishment, near Foy and Gibson’s, Mr. Cumpston keeps his big metal press, which weighs two and a half tons, and is said to be capable of striking about a seven and half ton blow, about which there is certainly no romance, and during the war has produced over half a million Badges and Medals. Personalities Finally, what do we know about those involved in these fundraising activities? The 19171918 Committee of Management of the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of Western Australia (Incorporated) included its President, (Police Sergeant) Harry Mann, one of the three Vice-Presidents was Harry Boan (of Boan’s Department Store) who was President of the Children’s Hospital for 1917-1918, and the committee members included Alexander Clydesdale who went on with Harry Mann to develop the basis of the State Lotteries Commission. Harry Mann was particularly active in organizations responsible for issuing appeal medals during WWI. In addition to the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association (Incorporated) (Carlisle W/7 in 1917), he was President of the East Perth Football Club in 1915 (Carlisle 1915/17) and in 1916 he was chairman of the Red Cross Workers’ Queen Committee (Carlisle 1916/10). 34 JNAA 26, 2015 World War I appeal medals of Western Australia Bibliography Bloom, Walter R & McDonald, John. The first Anzacs at Gallipoli–April 1915: Contemporary Australian commemorative medallions & their background. Perth Numismatic Journal, Vol. 47 No. 2, April 2015, Perth, 3-21. Carlisle, Leslie J. Australian historical medals, 1788-1988. Ligare Book printing, Sydney 2008. Farrell, Rita. A history of the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association of W. A. Incorporated. Honours Thesis, Murdoch University, Perth 1993. Eighth Annual Report of the Children’s Hospital for the year ended 30th September 1917. In researching this article the authors have made extensive use of the excellent Trove website created by the National Library of Australia (http://trove.nla.gov.au). Individual references are available from us on request. Authors Professor Walter Bloom is the honorary numismatist at the Western Australian Museum. He is President of both the Numismatic Association of Australia and Perth Numismatic Society, Vice-President of the International Committee on Money and Banking Museums (ICOMON), and the writer of the Oceania sections of the Survey of Numismatic Research. Walter has been the recipient of both the NAA Paul Simon Memorial and the NAA Ray Jewell Silver awards. [email protected] John McDonald is a member of both the Numismatic Association of Australia and the Perth Numismatic Society. His particular interest is the coinage of Imperial Rome. [email protected] JNAA 26, 2015 35