New Zealand’s Earliest Military Badge Collectors.

[atillathenunns]

The origins of British soldiers being authorised to attach distinguishing metal badges to their headdress is customarily dated as far back as 1768, shortly after which, regimental badges/numbers began to be worn on the sword cross belt and waist belt.

New Zealand also has a long history of attaching metal badges to their belts; in fact New Zealand’s oldest sporting trophy is the “Ballinger” NZ Champion Shot Belt, which was first presented by the NZ Government in 1873.
(The 2012 Ballinger Belt winner is Brian Carter of Te Puke Rifle Club)

The oldest New Zealand military trophy belt is the “Auckland Champion Belt” for Volunteer Rifle Shooting, which was won by a Mr Stewart of the City Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers in 1860.

In 1861, the NZ Government presented a "NZ Champion Shot Belt" to promote Volunteer rifle shooting, the belt was first awarded in 1861 to Lieutenant E. W. Brighton of the Rutland Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers.

In 1871 and 1872, Captain Wales of the No. 1 Company Dunedin Rifles succeeded in winning the NZ Champion Belt twice, and in accordance with the rules, the belt became his private property.

In 1873, the NZ Government presented a second “NZ Champion Shot Belt” to the winner Lieutenant Hoskins.

In 1893, 1897 and 1907, Arthur Ballinger of the Wellington Guards won the NZ Champion Shot Belt. Ballinger was entitled to retain it on the third occasion, however he very generously handed the historic belt back to the N.Z.R.A. to be competed for as a trophy at their annual gatherings. It cannot now become the property of any winner.

The 1873 Ballinger Belt as it looks today.

[atillathenunns]

Trooper Patrick Buckley Fitzherbert, Roberts' Horse
On the 6th October 1899 the Imperial authorities accepted the services of a New Zealand contingent for service in South Africa. (NZ First Contingent departed Wellington aboard the SS Waiwera on the 21st October 1899)

Patrick Fitzherbert the son of a Palmerston North barrister was rejected from the NZ First Contingent on account he was under the required age. Unable to obtain admission into the ranks of the New Zealanders Fitzherbert went to South Africa, and there enlisted in Roberts Horse. (Service No. 921)

With Roberts Horse Trooper Fitzherbert is mentioned as having taken part in 42 engagements, including the relief of Kimberley, the battle of Paardeberg, and Cronjes surrender, and afterwards took part in the triumphal march into Pretoria.

New Zealanders serving in British or other Commonwealth units is nothing unusual, what makes Trooper Fitzherbert important as far as NZ badge firsts go, is that he forwarded to New Zealand a belt with badges he had collected from the uniforms of British soldiers who fell in the siege of Cronje's forces.

The badge belt was received by Patricks father in April 1900, and was for a while put on display in a shop window in the Palmerston North square.

The following is a list of the known badges that were on Trooper Fitzherbert’s belt.
Warwick
Yorks
Cheshire
RHG
2D
2RG
RAMC
HLI
RA
Norfolk
Hants
R-I
DG
14RHA
Buffs.

Until better evidence can be offered up, it would seem that Trooper Fitzherbert is the first New Zealander to bring back a military souvenir badge belt, which in a sense makes Trooper Fitzherbert the earliest known New Zealand collector of military badges.

[atillathenunns]

Trooper Rowland Spencer Young, No. 1 Company First Contingent NZMR.
Trooper Rowland Young’s poor business skills as a milkman in Karori (Wellington) ended in a bankruptcy court in Wellington on the 2nd of October 1899. Having served in the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, Trooper Young joined the NZ First Contingent (Service No. 80) with the intention of starting a new life in South Africa after his year of service.

Unfortunately for Trooper Young in the first few weeks in which he was at the front he was seriously wounded in a clash near Arundel on the 18th December 1899. This is the same action where Trooper George Roland Bradford was wounded, Bradford would be the first New Zealander in the Boer war to die from his wounds on the 28th December 1899.

Trooper Young at the time of his wounding was with a small New Zealand reconnaissance party, and was acting in the capacity of a horse-holder, having five horses in his charge, when a well directed shell landed right in the midst of them, at the same time a hail of bullets was playing all around.
Young's horse was hit three times in as many minutes, and his led horses received a bullet each. Driven to desperation, the animals started pulling in all directions, and, dragging Young out of the saddle, were soon all over the top of him.
Still holding on to the reins, in the midst of battering, scrambling, stamping hoofs, Young had become entangled in the reins, until his comrades released him from his predicament, and eventually succeeded in conveying him beyond the firing line, where it was found that his spine and hips had been severely injured.

After being treated for seven days in a Field Hospital Trooper Young was sent on to the Cape, where he spent four months in hospital, and the doctors were at the time, very dubious of his ability to bear the voyage back to New Zealand. Trooper Young is described as saying “he dreading only that he might have to spend a further time in hospital,” and that “as the result of strenuous pleadings on his part, he was placed upon the Moravian, returning to New Zealand.” (Transferred to the SS Westralia in Australia)

It appears Trooper Young was one of only five invalided New Zealanders that were passengers on the steamer Westralia, which arrived in Wellington on the 12th June 1900.
Records of the time state “the wharf was densely crowded,” and that they were greeted by the Acting-Premier the Hon. Mr Ward, and the Commandant of the NZ Forces Colonel Penton.
“At 12.30 the troopers descended the gangway amidst tumultuous cheering, and were conveyed to the Council Chambers, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Mayor and Councillors.”

What makes Trooper Young important to us NZ badge enthusiasts, is that he is earliest serving New Zealand soldier that I have found so far, to bring back a “splendid trophy in the form of a belt composed of badges of the principal corps in South Africa.”

12th June 1900.
“He was exhibiting a most unique and handsome trophy in the form of a belt studded with the badges worn by many of the Imperial corps in South Africa. These badges, which were of various designs, had been obtained with much difficulty, in some cases by way of exchange for his own buttons, which he had parted with to the last one, substituting a miscellaneous assortment of buttons from the tunics of British soldiers. These little exchanges are examples of the comradeship existing between tha troops of the Mother Country and those of the colonies. “

“The badges on the belt comprised those of St. John Ambulance Association, Marabout 7th Dragoons (to which Lieut. Lindsay has been transferred), the Manchester’s, Suffolks (severely cut up on New Year's Day), Royal Engineers, King's Own, 6th Carbineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, East Lancashire, Royal Horse Artillery, Prince of Wales, Gordon Highlanders, Army Ordnance Corps, a button from the dress of a Canadian nurse, Army Service Corps, Seventeenth Lancers ("Death or Glory Boys." a silver skull and cross bones), and many others. Among them was the badge of my own old corps, the Lancashire Regirnent (the old 40th), Egypt, surrounded by a wreath of laurels.”

Trooper John Cassils Seelye (Service No. 178) seated left and Trooper Rowland Spencer Young (Service No. 80) aboard SS Westralia on the12th June 1900.

[atillathenunns]

Trooper Edward Nairn Knapp, No. 1 Company Second Contingent NZMR.
Trooper Edward Knapp (Service No. 375) was a Hawkes bay sheep farmer and had served with the Waipawa Rifle Volunteers from its formation on the 16th April 1898.

According to Trooper Knapp’s service records, Knapp embarked with the 2nd Contingent aboard the SS Waiwera on the 20th January 1900, and then latter transferred from the NZMR to the Transvaal Constabulary, where he suffered three attacks of dysentery, which hospitalised Knapp in September 1900, where he was pronounced as medically unfit for further service.

Invalided back to New Zealand, Trooper Knapp was granted 6 months leave of absence on full contingent pay as of the 22nd November 1900.

On the 24th November 1900, Trooper Knapp was escorted by the Waipawa Rifle Volunteers and a band playing “When Johnny comes marching home,” from the train station to the Waipawa Post office, where Captain Rathbone of the Waipawa Rifles, on behalf of the town, formally welcomed Trooper Knapp home again.

The following is a list of items (described as “spoils of the war”) that were exhibited on the 26th November 1900 in Captain Rathbone's shop window: —
Lee Metford (10 shot) magazine rifle, a powerful revolver, a pair of bandoliers filled with cartridges, belt, sword, handcuffs and whistle, uniform hat, police cap, a pouch of explosive bullets, and a collection of badges.

Trooper Harry Sycamore, No. 7 Company Fourth Contingent NZMR
Trooper Harry Sycamore (Service No. 1277) was a Southland coachman by trade and had served a year with the Christchurch City Rifle Volunteers, before embarking aboard the SS Gymeric with the 4th Contingent on the 31st march 1900.

Harry Sycamore was discharged on completion of service of 1 year and 122 days abroad, and was awarded the South Africa medal clasps: — Cape Colony, Transvaal, Rhodesia and SA1901.

Unfortunately, as it was with Trooper Knapp, I have been unable to find a list of what badges were included in Trooper Sycamore’s collection.
However like Knapp’s collection, Sycamore’s collection was publicly displayed in July 1901 at “A. Brockett and Company,” which was a boot maker’s shop located at 210 High Street in Lyttelton.

Trooper Sycamore’s collection is described as: —
“The badges, thirty-six in number, are arranged on a broad military belt, and all branches of the service are represented,” and, “nearly all were taken from soldiers killed in action.”

Like many New Zealand veterans of the Boer war, Harry Sycamore also served in the First World War, and while serving at Gallipoli, Harry was evacuated back to New Zealand after he was wounded on the 8th June 1915.

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Sergeant/Lieutenant Gerald Adams Paul, Fifth & Tenth Contingents NZMR
Sergeant Gerald Paul (Service No. 2699) was the son of James Paul, a prominent New Plymouth bowler and Brewer (Egmont Brewery). Gerald following in his father’s footsteps moved to Nelson and was working for Dodson's Brewery when war was declared.

Prior to joining the 5th Contingent, Gerald Paul had served 12 months as a Gunner with Nelson’s “H” Battery NZFA.

Going by Sergeant Paul’s service records, it appears his appointment as Sergeant with the 5th Contingent Reserve Company, and as Lieutenant with the 10th Contingent, was very much influenced by the personal friendship between Gerald’s father and Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, who was the Commanding Officer of the 5th Contingent.

Sergeant Gerald Paul embarked on the steamer Waimate with the 5th Contingent on the 31st March 1900.

On arrival in South Africa, the 5th Contingent were stationed at Beira for 3 weeks due to a lack of rail transportation, after which, Gerald and other members of the Reserve company were sent on to Marandellas, where they wanted men from the 5th contingent to make up a Company to man a battery of six 15 pounder guns.
On the advice of his Lieutenant, Sergeant Paul joined the battery as a sergeant.

After going through a lot of gun practice and drill the New Zealand gunners of the then newly formed 1st New Zealand Battery Rhodesia Field Force Artillery moved to the battle front in July 1900.

For his service in South Africa with the 5th Contingent, Sergeant Paul received the clasps Transvaal, Rhodesia and Cape Colony. Later on he was also awarded the clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.
Sergeant Paul returned to New Zealand in July 1901.

What makes Sergeant Paul important to us NZ badge enthusiasts is that he too brought back a belt decorated with the badges of regiments that served in South Africa, which was also publicly displayed.

On the evening of the 27th February 1902, the opening ceremony of theTaranaki Museum was presided over by Mr Dockrill the Mayor and Museum chairman.
Just before the opening ceremony had started, Mr James Paul, (on behalf of Sergeant Gerald Paul) donated the badge belt to the museum.

Interestingly, a day before the opening of theTaranaki Museum, Mr W. E. Spencer, Honorary Secretary for the museum is quoted as saying. —
“It is hoped will be of educational value to the present generation, but of still greater value to those, who, in years to come.”

It appears Sergeant Paul received confirmation of his appointment as Lieutenant with the 10th Contingent on the 2nd of April, although his appointment officially dates as the 14th of April 1902, which interestingly is the same date that the 10th Contingent embarked aboard the steamer Drayton Grange.

Lieutenant Gerald Paul was unfortunate enough to be kicked by a horse on board the troopship Drayton Grange, although his injuries were not of a serious nature, he had to stay in hospital on arrival in South Africa. On the 31st May 1902 — The war officially ended with the signing of the Boer surrender at Potchefstroom.

As with Trooper Harry Sycamore, Gerald Paul served again in the First World War, but as he was living in Canada at the time, Gerald Paul enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, serving with the rank of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant in C Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Service No. 2588)

Gerald Paul saw service in Flanders and was at the battle of Festubert, (15-27 May 1915). After a series of failed attacks on 18 May the British rested and replaced some units in the front line. An attack by two Canadian Brigades on 24th May failed to achieve any success. It was on the 24th May that Sergeant Paul was wounded by machine gun fire and then invalided to Vancouver, Canada.

After recovering from his wounds, Gerald Paul became inspector of British munitions at Winnipeg, Canada until he was injured in late 1917, when a falling shell exploded smashing his ankle, big toe, and two other toes.

I can only hope Sergeant Paul’s badge belt survives this day in the current Taranaki Museum.

[atillathenunns]

For those who are interested in New Zealand Boer War uniforms, hats, equipment and badges.

http://militarianz.freeforums.org/ne...ent-t1650.html

[atillathenunns]

In the above link I mention that the New Zealand First Contingents Roll also included 3 company tailors, “W. Lonergan, J. O’Neill and A. Mines.”
There was however a fourth tailor that sailed aboard the SS Waiwera on the 21st October 1899.
Mr Hugh Paterson a tailor from Dunedin was not on the 1st contingent roll, instead he travelled as a civilian helping with the final adjustments of uniforms during the voyage, and on arrival in South Africa was going to find work in Capetown.

After visiting a tailoring establishment at Capetown, Hugh Paterson found that the tailoring profession was crowded with cheap labour, and decided to return to New Zealand.

During his brief stay in South Africa, Hugh Paterson and fellow tailor Trooper A. Mines (sometime in December 1899), visited wounded soldiers in hospital.
In speaking with some Gordon Highlanders the two tailors were shown the holes in their kilts made by bullets, and were also “presented with the regimental badges of the Yorkshires and the Inniskillings.”
Hugh Paterson is also quoted as saying “state that some collectors in South Africa possess buttons and badges of almost every regiment at the front.”

Early Military Medal collecting verses Military Badge collecting.
Unfortunately I have found very little in the way of British badge collecting prior to the 1899 – 1902 Boer war. However it seems that Military Medal collecting was very popular, as there was over 150 dealers in medals in the United Kingdom prior to August 1899.

Between January 1899 and March 1899, one British auctioneer sold 3 Victoria Crosses with the highest price being £62.
At that time the record price for a medal sold by the same auctioneer was “£550, which was paid for a medal that was presented to General DeLancey, who while he was talking to the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo, DeLancey was struck in the back by a ricocheting cannonball leaving his skin unbroken but causing fatal internal injuries.

Prior to the Boer war, Colonel H. F. Eaton (Grenadier Guards) is mentioned as having “ the finest collection of war medals in the world,” but is probably better known to modern medal collectors as being the author of “Naval and Military Medals,” a 128 page book published by T. Vickers-Wood in 1897.

[atillathenunns]

Although I have found very little in the way of British military badge collecting prior to 1899, I am certain it did exist on a small scale in comparrisson to Medal collecting.

As such, I would be very interested to hear from other forum members if they know of collections that pre date 1899, in particular, those belonging to Regimental museums prior to 1899, or if anybody knows of sales/auction catalogs listing military badges prior to 1899?

Interestingly, a London newspaper “the Daily Graphic” ( 18 September 1900) is recorded as saying “ A few collectors in London are already bitten by the badge craze,” under the title of “The Soldiers' Badges Craze.”

The Daily Graphic went on to say—
“The fashion arose in a very simple manner. From the very first, when the sick and wounded come down from the front, contingents of ladies have met the invalid transport trains at all the stations with presents of tea, tobacco, fruit, and other soldier comforts. Tommy ever chivalrous sought perplexedly for some small souvenirs to give, to "the ladies" in return for the good things received. At last one of them had an inspiration He took off the badge from his cap and presented it to a female Samaritan as a token of gratitude, and lest she might forget the regiment he belonged to. All the regiments coming after followed his example to a man. And everywhere the caps, collars, and shoulders of the troops show vacant spots where badges used to shine. In this matter of badge giving, Tommy did not ask permission for he knew he wouldn't get it if he did. But this is how the badge collecling craze began.”

“Connoisseurs now are not content with a mere regimental badge— they are keen to become possessors of badges with a past. The value goes up proportionately when the badges have figured at a famous victory, or have been worn through a memorable siege. Sick Tommies in variably want to give their badges to ward sisters aud nurses. Some among the nursing staffs, however, refuse to take such gifts on a point of military honour. But Tommy does not always take nay for an answer. After he has left the hospital a small tissue-papered parcel issues from beneath the pillow of a pal. And the sister, when she unwraps the package, very often finds the refused badge is one of the little things that the grateful Tommy has left behind him. It was the only token of regard he had to offer.”

“Tommy never sells his badge to a nurse, for Tommy is essentially a gentleman. But if his nursing sister persistently re-fuses it as a gift, and a collecting chap comes offering 5s apiece for badges, well, Tommy can't always say no.”

[atillathenunns]

Boer War badge collection of Mr. T. Bowley (Waikato)
The following collection of badges were published in the “New Zealand Illustrated Magazine” (Page 241) on the 1st December 1900.

“A COLLECTION OF BADGES
The collection of badges given here was made by Mr. T. Bowley, of Waikato. Many of them were taken from the bodies of men who had no farther use for them while he was on transport duty in South Africa, where he had excellent opportunities, as his duties led him to all the scenes of the engagement. He had unfortunately no complete list of the regiments to which they belong, but military men (or modern day badge collectors) will have no trouble in picking them out. This item requires very little writing about, but much will suggest itself to the mind of the reader regarding the hot corners that many of these badges have been in.”

Unfortunately I have as yet not found any further information regarding Mr. T. Bowley.
It is possible Bowley may have been one of five New Zealanders who were part of the Army Steam Transport Department, operating out of CapeTown, doing Transport duty between the forts, carting hospitals in sections, transporting Boer prisoners, guns, ammunition, fodder, stores, and other things.

[atillathenunns]

I have two more early New Zealand badge collections that I think are worth mentioning.

The first “collection of badges, medals and other souvenirs issued in connection with the various Contingents sent from New Zealand to South Africa” belonged to Mr W. F. Cedarwall, who at the time was working for the Christchurch Meat Company (now the New Zealand Refrigerating Co.).

In February 1901, Cedarwall's collection was framed by H. Fisher and Son (Premier art dealers and picture framers) and put on display in their shop window at 257 High street in Christchurch.
(“Henry Fisher had been foreman with a leading firm of gliders in London, J. R. Chance. While with them, he had carried out framing commissions for many of the foremost British artists of the day, and had been entrusted with gilding work at Windsor Castle.”)

The following year Mr Cedarwall took up the position as general manager of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat Company, so it is likely his framed collection also went to Gisborne.
I am hoping that somewhere someone has a framed collection of badges that has the framers name H. Fisher and Son on the back.

The second collection worth mentioning, unfortunately is the one that I have the least information on.

The 'Wellington South African Veterans Association' headquarters were locted in Hunter Street.
The following is an extract published on the 2nd November 1934.—
“The badge of the Scots Guards, presented by Mr. R. Anderson, was added to the numerous collection of regimental badges in the association's museum of the many units that participated in the Boer War campaign.”

Admission into the Wellington South African Veterans Association (Established October 1903) was open to any soldier who served in any war in South Africa, in either an Imperial or a Colonial unit.

[atillathenunns]

Slightly off topic but worthy of mention is a Royal badge collection.

On the 13th July 1911, Edward the VIII was officially invested at Caernarvon Castle as Prince of Wales.
Edward's first official military inspection as Prince of Wales took place at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Chelsea, shortly after the coronation of George V on the 22nd June 1911.
At the time the school was being used as the camping ground by different commonwealth troops that had come over for the Coronation ceremonies.

“The Royal party arrived by motorcar, the Prince being accompanied by Princess Mary and Prince George. The Prince of Wales wore his midshipman's uniform, while Prince George had on a sailor suit. Their sister was-dressed in light blue. All together they proceeded to the inspection. The Prince of Wales was received with a bugle salute, and, after shaking hands with Colonel McLean, the commanding officer, was accompanied by him down the lines, of Dragoons and Hussars, the inspection of whom preceded a visit to the infantry and artillery, who were drawn up in the old parade ground.”

“The young Sailor Prince signalised his first inspection by an example of that attention to detail which has always characterised his Royal father. He corrected smilingly a small mistake in ceremonial on the part of an officer. The detachment concerned had remained at the salute, instead of returning to the slope, and His Royal Highness pointed out the omission, which was straightway put right. He also pointed out to the staff officer attending him one or two defects in the uniforms of the men, and in one instance he noticed an undone button, which defect was quickly remedied. The Prince made a most careful inspection of the men; frequently stopping to express to his brother and sister his keen appreciation of the manner in which the troops were turned out. He appeared to thoroughly enjoy the proceedings, and appeared to be quite at his ease.”

“But the official inspection was not the prettiest incident of this inspection of Imperial troops by the young Prince, who will some day himself hold the sceptre of Empire. After inspecting the Canadian troops, the Prince, Princess Mary, and Prince George were shown a number of photographs of Canada and the Canadian troops on a stand outside the sergeants mess. Keenly interested, the Prince stayed some little time looking at them, and was presented with a collection of all the best subjects. In return for the loyal act, the Royal signatures were entered in the visitors book of the Canadians. First came the signature "Edward" in a bold boyish hand, then "Mary," and finally "George." The signatures of Mr Wallington and Major Wigram were also taken, and while the Prince and Princess bought a quantity of post cards showing the troops and their barracks, the pockets of Prince George were literally crammed with souvenirs. But the prettiest scene was purely impromptu.”

“While waiting for the arrival of the New South Wales Cadets from the Crystal Palace the Prince expressed a wish for one of those little brass badges which are worn on the cap and collar to take away as a memento. Colonel McLean was the first to oblige. He tore a button off his tunic, where upon Colonel Williams took the badge off his helmet and handed that to the Prince as well. Immediately every man on the parade began to tear off buttons and badges to add to the collection. Badges and buttons were passed up to the three royal children in double handfuls. They stood amazed, overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of the response. In a minute they were loaded with quite as many badges and buttons as they could possibly carry. The Prince of Wales picked a rather rare one out of his collection to inspect it more closely. Immediately little Prince George, with a mischievous smile on his face, made a grab at it and added it to his collection. Princess Mary laughingly interfered to check the enthusiasm of her young brother. "Eddie is getting them all, I want some of those," cried the little Prince, and straightway he too was presented with a number of souvenirs. The collection of badges was exceeding varied. For instance, there were fifty-two different regiments represented in the South African section alone, each with different badges and buttons. Canada, New Zealand, Malta, the Straits Settlements, represented quite as many more varieties, so the Royal collction must consist of at least 200. One of the badges was given with such pleasure by a Canadian officer that he exclaimed: "In future I shall parade with one badge only, proud in the knowledge that its fellow is in the possession of my future King.”

“DELIGHTED WITH THE HAKA
A tour of the quarters inside the school was made, and on returning the Prince was greeted with three cheers by the South Africans, and in a second the Zulu war cry followed —the weird cry which our men of the second battalion of the 24th knew but too well in 1879, when they were cut up at Isandlwhana, and which warned Hook and his comrades at Rorke's Drift of the coming peril. Officially the cry is "Gro-bo-lio-zhee," repeated three times, and followed by a yell of 'Know!' The official documents, alas supply no interpretation and the cold print gives no suggestion of the weird cry. The Maoris heard the native call of their South African friends, and one or two of them in the New Zealand contingent executed a war dance to the accompaniment of rhythmic hand clapping by their white comrades in arms. This was repeated, with emphasis, at the request of Prince George, and the wild gestures and terrifying grimaces seemed to give the young Princes very great pleasure. An inspection of the Northwest Mounted Police by the Prince brought a most successful event to a termination, and the Royal party drove away amidst a torrent of cheers.”

[atillathenunns]

WW1 New Zealand Badge Collections
On the 11th January 1915 the Director of the Dominion Museum in Wellington, Dr. Allan Thomson, sent the following letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr G. W. Russell.—

“Re Military Badges
It is desirable that a set of badges supplied to the various divisions of the experditionary forces should be preserved in the museum for purposes of future identification and for the information of the public.
Unfortunately no such collection of the badges was used in the South African war has been preserved in the museum, to the disappointment of many recent visitors.
I have the honour to suggest that the Hon. Minister of Defence should be asked to donate a set of the badges now being used , and, if possible, of those previously used.
Signed— Allan Thomson, Director”

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr G. W. Russell fowarded Mr Thomson's letter to the Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, with the following notation.—

“Hon. Minister of Defence, I agree with this, can a set be supplied to the museum?”

The Minister of Defence, Mr James Allen fowarded Mr Thomson's letter to Major General Alfred William Robin, Commandant of the NZ Military Forces and NZ Quartermaster-General, with the following notation.—

“Please supply badges.”

As the issue of Regimental badges was entirely the responsability of the Regiments themselves, General Robin on the 21st January 1915, fowarded Mr Thomson's request for badges to each of the Headquarters of the four military districts.

The following document dated 1st March 1915, is the reply sent by the Wellington District Headquarters.


The following document dated 16th August 1915, is the reply sent by the Otago District Headquarters.


Unfortunately I have not come across the documents sent by the Auckland and Canterbury military districts, although the following document dated 4th October 1915 gives an idea of the badges sent to the museum by the Canterbury military district.


The Dominion Museum in Wellington was a fantastic place to visit, but sadly it has gone and has been replaced by Te Papa Museum.
The good thing is that Te Papa has an online collection that allows us to view many of the badges that were collected by Allan Thomson the Dominion museums Director all those years ago.
http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/se...&imagesonly=on

[atillathenunns]

Before I move on to other badge collections that were collected during WW1, I would like to mention that I do have some documents directly associated with the NZ reinforcement badges that are contained in the Te Papa Museum's badge collection, which is provided in the previous link.

I will post these documents at a later date in a thread that will discuss the history of WW1 NZ Reinforcement badges and the artists who designed them.

For now all I can say is that in April 1918, the Dominion museums Director used the Minister of Internal Affairs office to obtain a collection of NZ Reinforcement badges (1 – 34th Reos) for the Dominion museum.

Lance Corporal Alfred Kennedy Sloan, A Company, 12th Nelson Regiment, NZEF.
Lance Corporal Alfred Kennedy Sloan (Service No. 6/352) enlisted right at the outset of WW1 and embarked with the Main Body's Canterbury Infantry Battalion on the 16th October 1914.

Alfred (Alf) Sloan's collection of “regimental badges, various curios, and fragments of shrapnel,” were sent from Egypt to his parents home at 51 Milton in Nelson.
Alfs collection was put on display in late May 1915, in the window of 'E. Buxton and Company Ltd, Trafalga Street Nelson' (Agents for the New Zealand Shipping Company)

During the Gallipoli campaign “Alf” Sloan had his left leg broken by a bomb, and interestingly it seems he was sent to a hospital England in June 1917 suffering from gunshot wound in the left leg.

Alf Sloan survived the war at the rank of Sergeant, and returned back to New Zealand aboard the Transport No. 221 (Hororata) in March 1919.

Interestingly, Alf Sloan's younger brother 'Montague Haydon Sloan,' (Service Nos. 5/1338A &10/1338) embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements and also served up to the end of the war, and returned to New Zealand in January 1919.
The interesting part is that Monty Sloan who was mentioned in despatches (December 1917) “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty,” appears to have only been 16 when he enlisted, as he did not turn 20 until February 1918. (Enlistment age in NZ was 20)

[atillathenunns]

Major Benjamin Stevens Jordan, 13th North Canterbury-Westland Regiment, NZEF.
Major Benjamin Stevens Jordan (Service No. 6/1109) embarked as the Commanding Officer of D Company, Canterbury Infantry Battalion on the 16th October 1914

Major Jordan's military service began in 1900 when he joined the Rangiora Rifle Volunteers.
On the 16th January 1902 Benjamin Jordan enlited as a private with the NZ Eighth Contingent, and embarked on the 8th February 1902 as a member of “H” Squadron (South Island Regiment). Most of his service was in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, for which he earned the Queen's medal with two clasps.

On returning to New Zealand Jordan rejoined the Rangiora Rifles, and soon after was appointed as their colour-sergeant. He resigned from the Rangiora Rifles in 1907, but in 1908 was elected as its captain.
When the NZ Territorial Force replaced the Volunteer system in 1911, Captain Jordan swore in some of the men of his “E” Company, Rangiora Rifle Volunteers, as members of the then new “C” Company, 1st Canterbury Regiment.

During annual training camps in 1912, 1913 and 1914 Captain Jordan held the temporary rank of Major. On his appointment as Commanding Officer of D Company in the Canterbury Infantry Battalion's main body, Captain Jordan was promoted to Major.

During the strenuous fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Major Jordan was appointed acting Second in Command of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. On the 12th August 1915, Major Jordan was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital in Ghezireh Cairo, with enteritis and chronic ear deafness, whereupon he was evacuated for an operation and given 2 months furlough for convalescence in New Zealand.

On his return to New Zealand, Major Jordan's collection of war trophies was placed on display (18th September 1915) in the window of Parrott, Holcroft and Company, who were the leading storekeepers in Rangiora's High Street.

“The collection includes several diffarent kinds of Turkish ammunition, both spent and unspent, found in and around captured trenches in Gallipoli, ranging from portions of 18-pound shell to rifle cartridges. One most interesting clip contains three cartridges having wooden bullets, illustrating how the Turks are overcoming the shortage of metal.
The Turkish entrenching tool is an item of especial interest, it being a small shovel shaped instrument with a short straight handle, the business end being covered with leather.
Articles of dress, such as headgear and sandals, illustrate the simplicity of the Turks equipment. Other items are a collection of badges of twenty different regiments, English, Australian, and New Zealand, a series of photographs taken from a German prisoner at Cairo, equipment, and a Soudan dagger.”

On the 12th February 1916, Major Jordan embarked with the Unit Headquarters Staff, and upon his arrival in England was engaged in training troops on Salisbury Plain.
On the15th March 1917, Major Jordan was seconded for duty in England, and then appointed as Second in Command of the N.Z. Command Depot on the 24th May 1917.

Although I have been unable to verify the source of information, it appears that Major Jordan was one of the New Zealand officers that took part in the Royal procession at the opening of Parliament in London on the 12th February 1918, and as such, would have been subsequently presented to the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace.

On the 24th May 1918, a sports day was held at the New Zealand Hospital at Codford, in the late afternoon some British aeroplanes came over and did some fancey stunts.
According to eye witness accounts, about 7 o'clock on that evening, Major Jordan went up for a flight as a passenger in an aeroplane piloted by an American aviator. Unknown to the pilot, the machine was unequal to the strain of extra evolutions, and while attempting to loop the loop a wing collapsed, and the aircraft fell from a height of 1000 ft.
“When the two men were picked up they were found with hands clasped, as if they had made a final shake of the hands as the machine crashed to earth.”
The funeral took place at Codford two days later, with full military honours.

[atillathenunns]

The next collection on my list of WW1 NZ badge collections that were publicly displayed, belonged to Mr. W. A. Berry who at the time was working for Wallace and Gibson, who were a men's wear specialists located at 78 Willis Street in Wellington.
(Wallace and Gibson were military officers tailoring and outfitting specialists)

Mr Berry's collection of over 200 badges was displayed in the shop window of Wallace and Gibson's in July 1916.
Included in the collection “was every regiment which had left New Zealand” up to that date, except for the 17th Ruahine Regiment, which Mr Berry at that time, had not been able to acquire.

Also included in Mr Berry's collection.—
“British regiments as the Black Watch, Gordon Highlanders, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Gloucester, the Royal Soots Greys, and many others. Some of them, have been sent to Mr. Berry direct from the firing line in Flanders by a member of the Sherwood Foresters, and added historical interest is given to some of the badges by the fact that several of them were worn through the South African War.”

Rifleman Ernest Robson, C Company, 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, NZEF.
Rifleman Ernest Robson (Service No. 26/691) enlisted in July 1915 at his local recruiting office in Blenheim, and as far as I can ascertain, was one of 75 men of the Marlborough quota which departed for Trentham camp on the 12th October 1915.

As with the majority of men from the Marlborough quota, Robson was allocated to the new Rifle Brigade battalion that was being formed at the time, and embarked with the NZRB on the 5th February 1916.

On the 11th April 1917, a collection of 53 badges and buttons attached to a belt, having been sent by Robson to his mother in Blenheim, was publicly displayed in the window of the Red Cross shop in Market Square.