Very few portraits of troopers wearing the NZ camel Corp badge exist and they are probably rarer than the badge itself .This is probably why the badge holds an aura of mystique for New Zealand badge collectors.I have been told several theories that the badge was a momemtoe or souvineer badge produced after the end of WW1 as a token of service in that unit.
Hopefully this photo dispells any of those theories as it proves that this badge was worn by New Zealand soldiers on active service.Now whether it was worn while in the field has yet to be proved,as most of the photo's taken of the NZ camel companies in theatre were taken with inferior camera's and are of low quality.The search goes on.But in all probability it was worn in the field by some members of the 15 and 16th companies of the Imperial Camel Corps
Here is Signaller Frederick Woods ,7/1158,15th company ,NZ Imperial Camel Corps,Egypt,4-5-1917.
Several months after the formation of the unit.
Cheers Iain
Last edited by pukman; 21-01-12 at 06:15 PM.
|