Lot 121

Description

Australia, Soldiers Church Of England Help Society, lapel badge in enamel and sterling silver (25.5mm), no maker, pin-back, reverse inscribed, 'Mrs F.Tritton'. Good very fine.

The Soldiers Church of England Help Society was established by military chaplain, David John Garland, in 1915 when he was a senior chaplain. He created Anzac Day wreath laying ceremonies at memorials as well as the Anzac marches and the two minutes silence.^Eliza Ellen (nee Worral) Tritton OBE (born c1871 - died 1968), a philanthropist, was the wife of the famous Queensland furniture maker, Mr Frederick Tritton. Both of them were born in England but were married in the Holy Trinity Church at Woolloongabba in Queensland in 1889. Eliza and her husband later moved to Clayfield in Queensland where they became members of St Colomb's Anglican Church. Eliza established the parish Girls' Friendly Society that encouraged the learning and development of young members through social events and lending them books from her own library.^She was a founding member of The Soldiers Church of England Help Society mainly involved in fundraising and organising social events. She was also a supporter of a number of philanthropic movements and was on various committees, some of which included the District Nursing Association, being appointed association president in 1937 and serving until 1954, as well as the Clayfield branch of the Country Women's Association and the Queen Alexandra and Margaret Mair homes. Such was her charitable work that she was presented to the Queen in 1954 during her visit to Brisbane the year following her coronation. As part of her contribution to society she would lend her car and chauffeur to help people with their visits to hospitals and those requiring care in their own homes as well as providing her palatial home to host fundraising events. Eliza Ellen Tritton was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1963 in recognition of her services to the Anglican Church and the community.