A World War One Australian "Returned From Active Service" badge with "C" prefix, indicating a replacement issue. This badge was issued to Pte. Edward Hooker in 1937, replacing badges # 176332 and # 266999.
Pte. Hooker served with the 13th Battalion (21st Reinforcements) in France from January, 1917 until September, 1918 when he was evacuated to hospital with a "social" malady. Until at least March, 1918 he was a member of the 13th Battalion's band. This additional service is not documented in his military file but he appears in two photos of the band. His badge is accompanied by a celluloid button with a photo of a Digger who bears a strong resemblance to Hooker's images in the band photos.
Pte. Hooker returned to Australia in July, 1919 but details of his life after this date are unknown. (Correspondence in his service file indicates that he was still alive as of 1963.)
Above - Circa 1917 Group portrait of members of the band of the 13th Battalion. This was the third band formed on active service since 1914 and was the only band in the 4th Australian Division in France at the time of its formation on 12 September 1916. Fifty four members passed through the band in all up to February 1918 owing to sick evacuations and other reasons. Instruments were dumped several times in order to carry out other work allotted to them and during operations at Polygon Wood on 26 September 1917 and at Zonnebeke between 14 and 21 October 1917, the Band went into action as ammunition carriers for the 4th Australian machine Gun Company. In spite of irregular practice and the difficulty of bandsmen on Active Service, the Band improved and was always in great demand playing at hospitals, YMCA sports, Pierrot shows, Corps Schools etc irrespective of unit. (Credit - Australian War Memorial)
Above - 13th Battalion band in Belgium, 12 March 1918. (Credit- Australian War Memorial)