WW2 Australian Lewis Gunner Qualification Trade Badge

The WW2 Australian Lewis Gunner Qualification Trade Badge is a cloth insignia awarded to Australian Army personnel qualified to operate the Lewis light machine gun during the Second World War. This badge features a machine-embroidered representation of the Lewis gun, typically in white or grey thread on a dark wool backing, although variations exist depending on the period and manufacturer. It was sewn onto the sleeve of service uniforms to indicate specialized training and proficiency with the weapon. The Lewis gun was an essential element of Australian infantry and support units, valued for its portability and effective rate of fire. The badge’s design and construction adhere to military specifications of the era. Such insignia served both practical and administrative purposes, signaling a soldier’s role within their unit. The trade badge is a representative artifact of the Australian Army’s organizational structure and personnel qualification system during World War II.