Wound stripes

Three bronze wound stripes, two of which have the original metal backing plate. The back of each stripe has raised lettering reading, 'SERVICE WOUNDED STRIPE S.S.LTD. - R- No 4 PROV PAT 7342'. The same wording is impressed on to the backing plates. The metal stripes, which are 50 mm (2 inches) long, are marked to mimic the appearance of gold Russia braid, which was used in the cloth version of this badge. Each stripe has a pair of lugs which slot into the lower sleeve of the wearer's uniform, and through the backing plate (measuring 60 mm x 13 mm), where they are secured by split pins.

These examples of First World War wound stripes were collected from Charles Bean's study at his home 'Clifton' in Collaroy, NSW. Bean is perhaps best remembered for the official histories of Australia in the First World War, of which he wrote six volumes and edited the remainder. Before this, however, he was Australia's official correspondent to the war. He was also the driving force behind the establishment of the Australian War Memorial.

Much of the material from Bean's study was originally housed in his Tuggeranong Homestead office where he began writing the official histories. When the family moved it was transferred to his homes in Sydney. Effie continued to use the study after her husband's death. The study was dismantled after her death in July 1991 and transferred to the Australian War Memorial.