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IN AUSTRALIA
VOLUNTEERS' BADGES
THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME,
DETAILS OF DISTRIBUTION.
The Government (as briefly an
nounced in "The Miner" the other day)
has decided to issue military badges to
four classes of volunteers who are not
actively associated with the Expedition
ary Forces abroad. The men who will
be entitled to wear these badges will
be classified, as follows: -
1. Volunteers retained for home ser
vice.
2. Volunteers found Medically unfit.
3. Volunteers engaged on munitions
work.
4. Returned soldiers who have been
discharged.
A distinctive, badge will be issued
in connection with each class of volun-
teers. In regard to the various classifi-
cations it was announced by the de-
fence authorities on' Thursday ' (reports
"The Age") that class l would include
all persons between the ages of 18 and
45 years employed, by the Defence De-
partment who had volunteered for ac
tive service abroad, but who had been
informed in writing by the department
that permission to serve has been with-
held owing to their services being re-
quired in Australia, together with per-
sons 45 years, of age and over employed
by the Defence Department, who had
been informed in writing by the de-
partment that permission to serve has
been withheld, owing to. their services
being required in Australia.
Class 2 Will embrace all men of mili-
tary age who have volunteered, since
July 1. 1915, for active service outside
Australia, but who have been certified,
by a duly-authorised medical officer to
be medically unfit for such service.
The badge will not, however, be issued
to men with manifest disease or de-
formity.
The third class of badge will be is-
sued to all persons who have volun-
teered for active service, but have been
informed in writing by the secretary,
munitions committee, that they are
debarred from enlisting, and to persons
who have enlisted and who have been
discharged prior, to Embarkation in
Australia, their services being required
for the manufacture of munitions.
Munitions workers who have volun-
teered for active service and have been
found medically unfit are not eligible
for this badge.
The badge for, returned soldiers will
be presented to officers, warrant, offi-
cers, non-commissioned officers, and
men who have returned to Australia
from active service and have been dis-
charged, excepting those who have
been sent back for misconduct or suf-
fering from a disease brought about by
their own neglect.
It is notified that these badges will
continue to be the property of the
Commonwealth, and every precaution
has been taken to prevent their use
by unauthorised persons. It has been
made an offence under the War Pre-
cautions Act to wear or dispose of any
one of the badges without authority.
The badges will be issued from the
central administration of the Defence
Department, and from district head-
quarters in each State. only on the pro-
duction of an official certificate. It has
further been arranged to keep a regis-
ter of all the badges issued.
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