It was common place to see nurses in hospitals wearing brass and enamel badges, not something you see much in modern hospitals today. Badges were used to fasten stiffly starched detachable collars to their uniforms, or pinned on the soft collars of uniforms that they wore in other hospitals, thus identifying themselves as a nurse from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, TQEH, Hampstead.
Gold Medal Badge
A medal was presented to a graduating nurse who had achieved a Pass with Credit in all three subjects of the Nurses Board final examinations. The first medals were awarded in 1901, made from sterling silver.
In 1902 the medals were made from 9ct gold. Medals were the shape of the Maltese cross with Adelaide Hospital (A.H.) initials in pink gold at the centre of red ‘engine’ pattern enamelling. The medal is attached to a bar brooch engraved ‘Honours Adelaide Hospital’ with ‘Ophthalmological’, ‘Medical’, ‘Surgical’, ‘Gynaecological’ engraved on each section of the cross. The recipient’s name was engraved onto the back of the cross. On the back is also the hallmark stamp ‘9ct’ and the unrecognized manufacturing jeweller stamp ‘L.H.S’.
Royal Adelaide Hospital Nurses Badge
“In 1936 the board responded to a request for badges which could be purchased by nurses who had completed their training at the Adelaide Hospital. The small circular badge had a dark blue enamel border on which the words ‘Adelaide Hospital’ appeared in gold lettering. This surrounded a monogram of the letters ‘A H’. At the base was a small red enamel Maltese Cross.”
Eleven Thousand Nurses by Joan Durdin, 2005.
In 1939 the monogram and wording on the badges were amended by incorporating the “Royal” prefix which had been granted that year.
RAH badge belonged to Nurse Joyce Davis who graduated in 1954 from the RAH. Went on to become Matron of Penola Hospital.
In 1940 a new badge was designed to incorporate the “Royal” prefix. This design featured the Maltese cross at the top and red enamel around the edge. The final design was the original 1936 design with the added “R”.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital General Badge
Since 1962 when nurses graduated from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital they received badges bearing the letters “QEH”. They also featured a crown.
These badges were manufactured by Sonlank in Adelaide.
TQEH Advanced Nursing
Manufactured by Olson (Adelaide). Olson’s began manufacturing badges in 1966
TQEH Obstetrics (post 1966)
Obstetrics badge awarded to nurses at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville.
The badge incorporates the Tudor rose and the motto, in Latin, ‘Petimus, Docemus, Curamus’ – ‘we seek, we teach, we heal’.
Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital (ca 1932-1950)
Base metal silver tone badge for the “Metropolitan Infectious Disease Hospital” “Northfield S.A.” Yellow background border, centre is red enamel initials, grey metal background.
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum
