Rising Sun collar badge : Private M O'Meara, 16 Battalion, AIF

Standard issue oxidised brass General Service 'Rising Sun' collar badge. The badge is complete with lugs and a brass split securing pin.

This collar badge was worn by 3970 Private (later Sergeant) Martin O'Meara, of 16 Battalion, AIF, when he won the Victoria Cross at Pozieres, France, between 9 and 12 August 1916.

O'Meara was born at Lorrha, County Tipperary, Ireland and emigrated to Australia as a young man. He enlisted in Western Australia on 19 August 1915.

The citation for the award of his Victoria Cross reads, 'For most conspicuous bravery. During four days of very heavy fighting he repeatedly wnt out and brought in wounded officers and men from No-Man's Land under intense artilley and machine-gun fire. He also volunteered and carried up ammunition and bombs througha heavy barrage to a portion of the trenches which was being heavily shelled at the time. He showed throughout an utter contempt for danger, and undoubtedly saved many lives.'

O'Meara was wounded three times during the First World War but took part in all the major actions in which his battalion fought. In 1917 he was given leave to visit his family in Ireland and it was on this occasion that he gave his collar badge to his sister.

O'Meara returned to Australia at the end of 1918. His health broke down and he spent the rest of his life in a military hospital. He died in 1935. His sister donated the badge he had given her to the Australian War Museum (later Memorial).