What does “NZMGS” stand for??????

[pukman]

Originally Posted by atillathenunns

Puk another interesting picture, but as usual only supplies more questions than answers.
Both patterns of New Zealand made MG arm patches being worn together is most unusual, and may just be included just for the photo.
But the fact the spider patch has had the wreaths removed, may suggest that this was how this particular machine gunner was able to get around wearing these patches.

I sent a scan of the photo to Malcolm Thomas ,co author of
''New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911-1991''

His reply ...." ...the evidence of wearing two proficiency patches is very unusual for New Zealand, although this was seen in the British army of the period occasionally. The lower MG patch seems NZ and is very scarce and was probably only worn in New Zealand .I am still not sure what it is signifying -perhaps an instructor?''

[pukman]

Corporal Hector Fawcett ,17th NZMGS reinforcements,wearing Large Flags specialist cap badge ,XV1 collar badges and NZR shoulder title

[pukman]

Here is a NZ signal Corps sergeant, wearing a brass ''flaming grenade'' collar badge on his arm .This is something I haven't observed before .Maybe someone can enlighten me of its significance .I would imagine that this photo was taken in the U.K. by the look of it

[REMEVMBEA1]

Originally Posted by pukman

Here is a NZ signal Corps sergeant, wearing a brass ''flaming grenade'' collar badge on his arm .This is something I haven't observed before .Maybe someone can enlighten me of its significance .I would imagine that this photo was taken in the U.K. by the look of it

Were the NZ signals originally a branch of the REs as in the UK ?In which case this could well have been a signal sergeant still in the Engineers.

[sigcollector]

It seems to be quite common wear in the UK 'flaming grenade'' collar badge on his arm I have a few Photos in my collection and have seen many more around even Cyril Basset ..

JP

[pukman]

Thanks Jon, I appreciate your input .So the brass ""flaming grenade' collar badge ' was commonly worn as an arm badge in the U.K . Was it commonly worn in camp in NZ or theatre overseas?

[pukman]

Here is Cyril Bassett ,V.C wearing the brass flaming grenade ,collar badge on his shoulder .

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by pukman

So the brass ""flaming grenade' collar badge ' was commonly worn as an arm badge in the U.K . Was it commonly worn in camp in NZ or theatre overseas?

The flaming grenade distinguishing arm badges worn in New Zealand should be the regulation “Worsted, of a drab mixture” cloth grenade.

Sergeant Thomas Douglas Hutcheon, Service No 4/329 New Zealand Engineers, Divisional Signallers, ex Samoan Advance Party. DOW 17 August 1917.

[pukman]

Here is a nice photograph of two NZMGC soldiers taken at Grantham ,which was the training ground for machine gunners in England ,in WW1.

They are possibly brothers ,but what is apparent is their youth .Unfortunately ,they are not yet identified .

Which leads me on to an initiative by the ''Onward'' project ,which is planning a webpage ,for unidentified soldiers of the NZEF ,with the expressed interest of identifying these chaps, that are in unidentified portrait photo's.
Please support the ''Onward'' project, which hopes to publish as many portrait photo's of the NZEF soldiers as possible .The third volume, containing more than four thousand portraits ,is planned for sometime this year .But it, and subsequent volumes, rely on public support .

See the web page ,''fairdinkumbooks'' for details

[atillathenunns]

At this very moment there are 6 New Zealand Machine Gun badges listed on Ebay.
(Original NZMGC hat badges usually sell in New Zealand for about NZD $75, and collar badges about NZD $35)

The following two NZMGC badges are die stamped originals.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/original-vin...item2ed3a81b10
Starting price NZD $178.29 (including shipping)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ZEALAND-...3D271516968167
Starting price NZD $133.12 (including shipping)


The following four NZMGC badges are cast copies.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Zealand-...item2350ad8371
Starting price NZD $75.32




http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Zealand-...item463a6ae5ae
Starting price NZD $73.39


http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW1-NEW-ZEAL...item58b6bc6663
Starting price NZD $63.48


The following cast copy of NZMGS hat badge was auctioned on Ebay last week, but was listed by the seller as an. — “excellent copy has three lugs.”

[pukman]

Ray ,a 2nd NZMGS trooper ,wearing NZMGC stubby barrelled cap and collar badges ,an English manufactured peaked felt hat ,type 2 variation in Barry O'Sullivans uniform book ,and a private purchase whipcord jacket .Egypt November 1918.

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by pukman

Ray ,a 2nd NZMGS trooper ,wearing NZMGC stubby barrelled cap and collar badges ,an English manufactured peaked felt hat ,type 2 variation in Barry O'Sullivans uniform book ,and a private purchase whipcord jacket .Egypt November 1918.

Puk, indeed most unusual to see stubby NZMGS badges being with a brit issue hat, I guess it highlights the NZMGC badge shortages experienced in the Middle east.
The Egyptian sand cast NZMGC collars that turn up from time to time on trade me also suggest there were supply problems.

The following NZMGC sand cast copy is currently on offer on trade me.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=921283282

The copper lugs which are cast into the badge and the pitted reverse suggest to me it is a genuine theatre made badge.

[atillathenunns]

The following rare shoulder title turned up for auction last year as part of a large collection of shoulder titles.

Out of about 30 shoulder titles in the collection the NZMG shoulder title was the only badge I was interested in, it was also the only shoulder title in the collection that was broken (through the middle of the 3).

Unfortunately, due to a few other rare shoulder titles in the collection, the final bid at the auction was way beyond what I was prepared to pay.

Fortunately for me I knew the person who won the auction, and asked if he was willing to part with just the broken NZMG badge, and to my surprise they let me have it at what I consider an absolute bargain as it was way below my own highest bid during the auction.

Thanks to the skilled repair work of Roger from the Wellington Militaria Collectors Club (WMCC) this rare badge has been returned to its former Glory

[Tinto]

Very, very nice, Brent.
Cheers, John

[atillathenunns]

I was searching one of my hard drives and found the following photo that was taken before Roger worked his magic.