Australia Rare WW1 'War Servcie ' Badge for Female Staff of the AIF HQ in London

Oval sterling silver pin badge featuring a voided map of Australia bearing a depiction of the Rising Sun badge. This design sits on a decorative horizontal bar which extends beyond the badge's outer circumference and which carries opposing colour patches for AIF Administration Headquarters (a vertically aligned rectangle divided vertically into black and white) in black and white enamel. An outer frame features the words 'WAR SERVICE AUSTRALIA' in silver on a black enamel background. The reverse is fitted with a pin brooch fitting and is impressed with hallmark.This later style of badge was issued to, and worn by, civilian members of the staff working at AIF Headquarters, London, located at Horseferry Road. Many of these workers - the majority of whom were female - were local residents of London. The AIF Headquarters relocated from Cairo to London in April and May 1916 and continued to grow in size until the end of the war.Rare.