For those who may be contemplating placing the Service Emblem or their Corps badge onto their Memorial this article should be read as you will need prior written permission, PLEASE READ ON.

Post-war Commemorations

Permission to Use the Service Badge

All veterans who served in the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army or the Royal Australian Air Force are entitled to have their Service badge inscribed on their private memorial. Veterans who served in the Merchant Navy are entitled to a Merchant Navy badge.

However, for copyright reasons, permission to inscribe a badge must first be obtained from the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG). 1

Required information

Before it can grant permission, OAWG needs to know the veteran's:

• full name; and


• Service number; and


• Service (navy, army, air force, merchant navy). If not known, contact the Department of Defence to determine in which Service the veteran served.

Proof of Service must accompany the request, ie:

• a copy of the veteran's dischage certificate, or


• a copy of the veteran's paybook, or


• a printout from the relevant online Nominal Roll

See: the Department of Defence website

Apply

To apply for permission:

• log on to www.ww2roll.gov.au | www.koreanroll.gov.au | www.vietnamroll.gov.au and print your own letter


• include the required information in a letter to OAWG; or


• complete and return Form D9081.

Mail, fax or email your letter or application form to:

Office of Australian War Graves
GPO Box 9998
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Fax: 02 6289 6571
Email: wargraves@dva.gov.au

See: Form D9081

Permission

• By logging on to the Nominal Roll you can print your own letter.

Once an application with all the required information is received, OAWG forwards a letter of permission via standard post, fax or email.

Please note that all arrangements and costs associated with the provision of the private memorial are the responsibility of the veteran's next-of-kin or the Executor.

Other badges

Written requests for permission to use Australian badges or emblems other than those of the Navy, Army and Air Force, for example the badge of a particular Corps such as the Artillery, in any publication (including on a memorial) should be directed to the Department of Defence:

Defence Community Organisation (DCO)
DGPERS-A
R8-9-026
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Permission to use emblems of foreign services should be sought from the relevant Embassy or High Commission.