WW1 armlets

[dumdum]

Hi all,

I recall that I was going to post photos of these pieces of borderline ephemera some months back but it had slipped my mind.

So here are a couple of the "armlets" that were issued by NZ Defence to returned soldiers (red with yellow crown) and for those awaiting call up (khaki with red crown).

I've also attached photos of the regulations and the less often seen Card of Authority to wear a Distinctive Badge that accompanied the red armlet.

The red armlet was not generally viewed with great respect by the returned men and was labeled a "cheap gesture" by some. The fact that it was also described as being "turkey red" in colour wouldn't have helped matters given that many of the wearers had probably been fighting at Gallipoli!

The armlets and the cards of authority do not seem to have survived very well, whereas those for the Silver War Badge make an appearance now and again.

The armlets were not numbered, unlike those issued under The Derby Scheme.

[JerryBB]

Interesting items of history, probably not often seen outside NZ