What does “NZMGS” stand for??????

[atillathenunns]

Finally after a long search, I have found not one, but two photographs of NZ Machine Gun Squadron ordinary ranks wearing NZMGC collar badges.

As pieces of the puzzle, they tell me that the NZMGC collar badges were issued to all ranks, which makes the image of Trooper Metcalfe in my previous post, very, very unique.



On the left is Lance Corporal Richard Percy Renall, Service No. 13/2242, embarked with the Auckland Mounted Rifles 6th Reinforcements on the 14th August 1915.
As a member of the NZ Machine Gun Squadron, Renall was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. (London Gazette, 2 April 1918, p4023)
Lance Corporal Renall was killed in action in Palestine on the 28th March 1918.
　
On the right is Trooper Percy Robert Manson, Service No. 13/3048, embarked with the Auckland Mounted Rifles, A Squadron on the 29th February 1916.
Trooper Manson was killed in action in Palestine two days after the death of Renall on the 30th March 1918.

Just out of interest, Sergeant Maurice Patrick Malone, Service No. 11/1338, (Son of the famous Lieutenant-Colonel William George Malone) while serving with the NZ Machine Gun Squadron, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette, 28 March 1918, p3893)

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his officer was wounded early in the attack he took command of his section and pushed forward and covered the advance with his fire. When the enemy counter-attacked he rushed his gun forward to a ridge under intense fire, and completely broke up the leading waves of the attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the remainder as they retired. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative."
　
The following photo is of Second Lieutenant Percy Henry Ney Pope, Service No. 7/261, originally embarked as a Trooper with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Main Body on the 16 October 1914.

As with the photo of Trooper Metcalfe, Lieutenant Pope's photo appears to have been taken after his return to New Zealand.
Unfortunately his shoulder title is not fully visible, but if I had to make a call I would think it is a NZMGC title.
What draws me to the picture is his cool hat, and for that alone I have posted it.

[sigcollector]

I Brent

I have an original copy of the photograph of Richard Percy Renall he is sitting with a mate of his of Auckland Mounted Rifles.
In the photograph he is a trooper at that point in time.

It reads on the reverse

This is Some pictures we had taken in Port Said rough affairs I sent it.
The stranger is a old pal of mine Dick Renall, is chants brother in law, he is a Machine Gunner and was very lucky in the fighting, he was the only one out of about 10 unscratched .

I have some more pics of NZMG in my collection, I have been meaning to post them, but I do not have scanner at hand.

Regards Jonathan

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by sigcollector

I Brent

I have an original copy of the photograph of Richard Percy Renall he is sitting with a mate of his of Auckland Mounted Rifles.
In the photograph he is a trooper at that point in time.

It reads on the reverse

This is Some pictures we had taken in Port Said rough affairs I sent it.
The stranger is a old pal of mine Dick Renall, is chants brother in law, he is a Machine Gunner and was very lucky in the fighting, he was the only one out of about 10 unscratched .

I have some more pics of NZMG in my collection, I have been meaning to post them, but I do not have scanner at hand.

Regards Jonathan

Jonathan, I look forward to seeing your NZMG photos.

I know its a bit of a long shot, but I would be very interested if anybody has photos of Troopers Ambrose Charles Reed (Service No. 7/1132) and Thomas Lancaster Steele (Service No. 7/1138).

Both Troopers Reed and Steele embarked on the 13th June 1915, with the 5th Reinforcements Canterbury Mounted Rifles, and both went on to join the 1st Machine gun Squadron N.Z.M.G.C.

What is interesting about these two machine gunners is that both were Lance-Corporals when they were accepted for training as aviators for the Royal Flying Corps, and both are gazetted on the 16th November 1917, as being appointed as temporary 2nd Lieutenants, with Ambrose Reed's acceptance dated the 5th August 1917, and Thomas Steele's dated the 7th August 1917.

I haven't checked Ambrose Reed's service records, but Thomas Steele's certainly make interesting reading.

Flying with 111 Squadron, Steele on the 26th March 1918 was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

The following citation to the above award was gazetted on the 26th August 1918 (p2962)
"On the 8th December 1917, Second Lieutenant Thomas Lancaster Steele was instructed to attack a hostile concentration north of Jerusalem, on the way he encountered heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, his petrol tank being pierced. In spite, however, of the risk of the escaping petrol catching fire, he continued to his objective where he obtained excellent results from bombs dropped from 400 ft.
The remaining petrol was only just sufficient to enable him to return to his aerodrome.
On the 10th December 1917, in similar circumstances, he was shot through the arm, but continued to his objective and obtained excellent results."

Second Lieutenant Thomas Lancaster Steele (MC) was killed in action on the 10 April 1918. Taking off from Ramleh, Palestine on board a Nieuport 17 (No. B3594) for a offensive patrol with three others. The plane was bought down behind enemy lines near Nablus, about 50Km NW of the Red Sea, following a combat with eight or nine enemy fighters and a two seater.

It is very possible that Steele may have been photographed wearing NZMGC badges and RFC wings.

[atillathenunns]

Before I move on to the distinguishing cloth insignia worn by NZ machine gunners, I would like to return to the subject of "sand cast MG arm badges."

In post # 134 I attached several different pictures of 1st Class Machine Gunners proficiency badges, including an Egyptian sand cast NZ 1st Class Machine Gunners badge.

Unfortunately, as yet I have found no photographic evidence of the following badge being worn. So if anyone can find a period photograph of this badge being worn, I would be very keen to see it.




The following sand cast MG badge is mentioned on page 199 of Dave Corbett's badge book, and is described as— "Canterbury Regiment MG Company, 1915."



Geoff Oldham's 1997 NZ badge price guide printed 17 years later, pictures the same badge (#4/171) on page 37, and on page 31 the description remains the same, but adds that they were formed in 1915, and mentions there is a crownless version, and lists both as sleeve badges.

Geoff Oldham's new 2011 NZ badge price guide pictures both the crown and crownless versions (#s 4/258 & 4/259), and they are still listed as being sleeve badges, but they are now described as— "Canterbury Mounted Rifles Machine Gun Company."

So the question begs to be asked, which is it? Infantry or Mounted Rifles? The cold facts IMO point to the latter theory.

From my own observations lets look at the facts, the Canterbury MG badge is very similar to the hat badge of the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment badge, except it has MG in the centre and does not have the "Kia Pono Tonu" bottom scroll, so it is understandable that Dave Corbett assumed it was an Infantry related badge.

The other important difference is that instead of having "NZI" where the ferns join, it has a tablet with the date 1864, which just happens to be the year that the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry were first formed (1st November 1864). The 1864 date is also incorporated on the 1st CYC hat badge, as shown below.

In short without any historical written or photographic evidence to support Corbett's or Oldham's claims, the date 1864 creates enough of an element of doubt, which is much stronger than any belief that it was worn by members who had previously served with the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment.

So I must concur with Geoff that the badge was most likely worn by 1st CYC machine gunners, but I have reservations that the crowned version was ever worn as a sleeve badge.



My thinking is that as with the NZ Veterinary Corps ordinary ranks and the NZ Camellers who both adopted locally made sand cast badges to fill the void of not having any badges. I suspect the CYC machine gunners had the badges made shortly after the 1st NZMGS was first formed, and were probably only in use for a very short time before they were replaced by NZMGC badges.

As these badges have a crown I believe they are more likely to be a hat badge than a sleeve badge. It is however quite possible that the ones without crowns may have been worn as Machine Gunners proficiency badge on the sleeve, or alternatively, the crowns simply broke off as they commonly did with the sand cast Veterinary Corps ordinary ranks badges.

Only a clear photograph of this badge being worn will solve this mystery.

The following picture is the same as the one in post # 134.

[atillathenunns]

In post #112, I put the call out for photographs of Otago signallers to see what size cap and collar badges they wore, well thanks to Iain (Pukman) who has searched through 10000s of photos, in one single photograph he has answered the question of what badges were worn by the Otago Divisional Signal Company. (The photo was taken at Awapuni Camp, most likely in late August or September 1914)

Of particular interest is Lieutenant Lamb, pictured in post #119, who it now appears wore the large size NZSC badge prior to August 1914, and then looks to have converted to the NZEF smaller officers bronze NZSC badge and NZE collar badges.



Sapper John Ernest Rosevear, Service No. 4/457, Main Body, Mounted Signal Troop. Died of Enteric fever Egypt 26th May 1915, was the only member of the above photo who embarked with the Mounted Signal Troop.



Sapper Edwin Paterson, Service No. 4/569, Main Body, Divisional Signal Company. (Wellington Military District)



Corporal James Wallace Logan, Service No. 4/620, 2nd Reinforcements, Field Engineers.



Cheers Iain

[atillathenunns]

The following 3 photos were kindly supplied by Rodger who is a member of the Wellington Militaria Collectors Club.

All three photos show Sapper John William Gibb, Service No. 4/362, who was a member of the Divisional Signal Troop (NZE) which embarked with the Main Body.

In the following photo, Sapper Gibb is the chap wearing the large size NZSC collar badges kneeling left front.

The back of the post card reads. —
“The renowned motorcyclists of the NZ Expeditionary Force.
Taken at Palmeston North, 30/9/14
Yours Sincerely
J. W. Gibb”



The following photo Sapper Gibb is the chap wearing the goggles.

The back of the post card reads. —
“Zeitoun Camp Cairo 2/3/15
Dear Lion,
This is a photo of the four boys out of our office. We expect to be leaving here in a few days. I hope you are fit. Remember me to all the boys.
Barney.”



The following post card is interesting as it appears Gibb is wearing a blackened large size NZSC cap badge.

The back of the post card reads. —
“Zeitoun Camp Cairo Egypt 14/3/15
Dear Lion,
This photo was taken in Cairo 12 March 1915. My bike has been painted all black so did not come out as well as it might have. I hope you are still fit and well.
Yours Sincerely
J. W. Gibb”



John William Gibb was killed in action on Gallipoli on the 27th August 1915; he was only 20 years of age.

The following extract was taken from the New Zealand Engineers official history by R.T.G. Patrick, page 245. —
“On the 28th August what was left of the Brigade was thrown in to complete the capture of Hill 60, and after a desperate hand-to-hand encounter lasting all night accomplished the task. The Signal Troop again carried out its duties in a creditable manner, but not without loss—two of the best and most popular of the troop being among the fallen. Time and again the telephone parties went across the open amidst a hail of bullets in their endeavour to establish communication. Sapper A. G. Wainscott discovered Turks advancing along an unguarded sap and threatening our rear. Realising that the rifle and bayonet at the moment were of more immediate necessity' than his telephone, he held up this advance alone till assistance came. His gallant action would have doubtless been rewarded by high honour had it been seen. Another sapper who had managed to establish his telephone post in the front line had himself and instrument thrown some yards along the trench by a shell which burst in the ground beside him, but nothing daunted he continued sending the message on hand. Sappers Caselberg, Marsh, Bourke, and Ranstead also performed great deeds during this nerve-wracking night.

Second-Corporal W. Findlay and Sapper W. Gibb both gave their lives in their efforts to serve the Brigade. The communication trenches were terribly congested, so in order to save time the sappers made a dash across the open with the telephone. Both men possessed all the qualities necessary in the making of good soldiers, and their deaths were mourned by comrades of all ranks.
A round-up of signallers available on the morning of the 29th revealed that the total strength (Signal Troop and four regiments) was twelve men, the normal strength being one hundred. The remnants of the Brigade were relieved on the 31st by an Imperial Infantry Brigade.”

[atillathenunns]

Thanks again to Rodger of the Wellington Militaria Collectors Club, I am able to offer up another important piece of early NZ machine gun badge puzzle.

The following is the same picture of the 2nd Company NZMGC that is in post # 127, which I believed was taken shortly after the NZMGC arrived in France.



The following photo belongs to Rodger and incredibly it appears to have been taken in the exact same spot as the one in post # 127.



Fortunately this picture post card has writing on the back which answers a number of questions.

The first thing is that it is dated 7th September 1916, so this photo was taken just prior to that date. The writer’s name is Jim and he mentions they have been doing much drill and long marches and have been out of the trenches for the last 2 to 3 weeks.

What’s more important is that Jim goes on to say.—

“This photo of the Cant gun section we had taken at the last stop at an old historical castle in the village of Picquigny.”



In Post # 128, I mentioned that the previous photo of the NZMGC 2nd Company does not prove much on its own, but now with a second photo to compare with, I think this is proof enough that the New Zealand machine gunners were first issued standard British Machine Gun hat badges, before receiving their NZMGC badges.

Of interest in the above picture is the officer on the left is wearing 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles badges and the officer on the right (Chaytor?) is wearing 12th Otago Mounted Rifles badges.
The chap on the left, second row is wearing 2nd South Canterbury Regiment collar badges and the chap on the right, front row appears to be wearing 13th North Canterbury and Westland Canterbury Regiment collar badges.
Several of the men are wearing qualification arm badges, but I can’t make them out.

The chap on the left of the following photo is of special interest, as it seems hes managed to obtain a set of British MG collar badges.

[sigcollector]

Here are 3 from my collection, i had to take them with a camera as no scanner
I have more just need to scan or photograph them

[atillathenunns]

Nice photos Jonathan, do you have any information on them?

The last photo of the chap wearing the Mounted Rifle reinforcement badges and MG qualification badge is interesting.
When it comes to the Mounted Machine Gun Specialists, it seems to me it was mounted rifles first, machine gun second.

Pukman sent the following photos, and it is good to see we have some more evidence of British machine gun badges being worn prior to the adoption of the NZMGS badge.



Sergeant Harold Morgan Restieaux, Service No. 22214, 18th Reinforcements, J Company. Killed in action Messines, Belgium 7th June 1917.
(Enlistment: Dunedin)

[terri60]

Originally Posted by atillathenunns

You should check out the rest of your family tree, Jesse Wallingford was 3rd generation of a family who served in the Rifle Brigade.
His son, Sidney Wallingford was to young to join the NZEF during WW1, so he joined the British army and ended up in the Royal flying corps. He became Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Are you from the 'Black' side of the family?

No. My Grandmother was a Wallingford from Bournemouth Hampshire England. She came to Australia in 1912. I wonder if she ever knew about her amazing cousin Jesse Wallingford and his family. I have found so many references to Jesse and Sidney Wallingford in the New Zealand Newspapers. So many references to Jesse Wallingford on the computer. On one site someone said a movie should be made about this amazing man who seems to have been overlook. Hope someone does make the movie. Thanks Terri

[atillathenunns]

The following interesting article is dated 13th November 1915, and was published in “the Camp Courier” which was circulated in Trentham, Featherston and Tauherenikau camps.



The following WW1 period photo is described as.— "Specialists" at Hopuhopu military camp, near Ngaruawahia. (Ben Starr is standing on the left.)

The badge to the front of the photo is undoubtably that of the Specialist Machinegun Section.
Interestingly, this style of badge display was common to Featherston camp where the Specialist Sections received their training, so I am inclined to think the photo was taken at Featherston.

[atillathenunns]

The following photos of Lewis gun badges are not technically part of the NZMGS, but I dont think this thread would be complete without them.

The photos are from the “Sir George Grey Special Collections,” which are held by the Auckland Libraries, the badge is from my own collection.

The photos show Sergeant Reginald Bennett Shearman, Sevice No. 19090, wearing 6th (Hauraki) Regiment hat and collar badges. On his right arm below the NZ Rifles shouder title and above his sergeant stripes, is his lewis gunner badge of appointment, at the bottom of his sleeve he is wearing service chevrons denoting 3 years service.

From 1908 up until he enlisted for active service, Sergeant Reginald Shearman was the Town Clerk in the Borough of Tauranga Council.

Unfortunately Sergeant Shearman's service records do not show up on the NZ Archives database, and very little is mentioned about him on the Cenotaph database.
From what I can tell, Reginald Shearman left Tauranga to go into Trentham camp on the 7th February 1916. In March 1916 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in “A” Company 15th Reinforcements, although the Nominal Roll show that he embarked with “J” Company 15th Reinforcements on the 26th July 1916.

On arrival in England he stayed for ten days and the proceeded to Etaples immediately moving into the fighting line at Fremalle, and remaining in France for about 14 months.

Sergeant Shearman was then attached to Headquarters in London in order to carry out experiments in the Munitions Inventions Department in connection with Lewis and anti aircraft guns. Sergeant Shearman was then transferred as instructor in Lewis gunnery at Sling Camp remaining until the armistice. Subsequently he was appointed to the charge of the office staff of the Assistant Director of Eaducation, with the rank of Staff Sergeant, He was offered this position as a permanency, but the desire to return to New Zealand was too strong.

[atillathenunns]

Before I make a start on WW1 cloth insignia worn by the NZ Macine Gun Corps, heres two more interesting photos.

The following photo dated December 1914, shows members of the 3rd Auckland Machine Gun Section stationed in Apia, Samoa.



The following photo shows members of the Machine Gun and Scouting Section of the then newly formed Pioneer Battalion. The photo was taken in Moaskar in Egypt just before they embarked for France in 1916.

[atillathenunns]

The 2nd Pattern Specialists brass badge on the right was a Christmas present from the family, it looks good next to my rare silver version.

[Tinto]

Congratulations, Brent! A nice pair.
Cheers, Tinto