A few WW1 patches and Insignia of the NZEF
 

Here are a few WW1 patches and Insignia from the 1st NZEF .By all means add to the thread as we are all here to learn

If I have made any mistakes, by all means make constructive comments.

Private Federic Augustus Butterfield 21203,has a blue shoulder patch of the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Auckland -Wellington regiment, NZEF order 104 ,17 July 1916

Also pictured Maori Pioneers soldier with the red diamond patch on his great coat

3rd reserve battalion Canterbury -Otago regiment wore a red diamond patch
5th reserve battalion NZRB wore a black diamond patch

New Zealand Cyclist Corps ,red diamond centre with a white surround, NZEF Order No 495 ,31 January 1918.

Picture(Barry O'Sullivan collection)

NZRB rifleman with a medical classification shoulder strap.

N.C.O's and enlisted men in B category wore blue bands, one inch wide on either shoulder straps of their service dress tunics .C category wore red bands

Medical classifications 25/1/1918
A .Fit for general service
B1.Unfit for general service ,but likely to be reclassified A within 6 weeks
B2 Unfit for general service ,but likely to be reclassified within 3 months
B3 Unfit for general service ,but likely to be reclassified A within 6 months
C1 Unfit for general service for at least 6 months ,but likely to be reclassified A
C2 Permanently unfit for general service

Excellent images and information. Many thanks for posting them.
Mike

Patches of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade

1.Front cover of the official History of the NZRB showing the patches worn
2.1st Battalion
3.2nd Battalion
3.3rd Battalion

Black cloth melton cloth patches or blazes as they were known ,were worn on either side of the felt hat (lemon squeezer) pugarree ,and in the centre of the forage ,service dress cap.

(1) 4th Battalion
(2) Battalion Headquarters
Sleeve patches

NZEF order number 183 ,31st October 1916,authorised all battalions including Brigade Headquaters to wear distinguishing patches on both sleeves 1 and half inches below the shoulder straps of the tunic.

Dress regulations 1918 for the NZRB.

First Battalion. A square of 1/2 inch side, worn as a diamond
Second Battalion. A square 1 I/2 side
Third Battalion .An equilateral triangle, with a perpendicular height of 1 1/2 inches ,having the apex uppermost
Fourth Battalion. An equilateral triangle ,with a perpendicular height of 1 I/2 ,having the base uppermost
Fifth Battalion .(The reserve Battalion) A diamond 2 3/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches ,the longer axis perpendicular
Brigade Headquarters. An eight pointed star of two superimposed squares of 1 1/2 inches

Hi

My collection of WW1 NZ colour patches. Any thoughts or constructive comments welcomed, especially about the last image 'NZ Rifle Brigade' patches?

Cheers

John

Yes, nice images.

John your cloth insignia display looks quite nice and a great start

Best
Jack

Thanks for posting the pictures of your collection John .The more participation by others in this thread the better. There is an excellent reference book on the subject ,''New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911 -1991'' by Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord ,but I think it is important to have an alternative source of information for those who cannot access this book.

The main reason I seek information on patches and insignia ,is for identification purposes in my photo collection. The only two colour patches I own are on WW1 others ranks and officers jackets respectively .2nd battalion Otago Infantry

Also pictured is No 2 NZ Light Trench Battery patch on a WW1 officers tunic, and a NZRB sleeve patch attributed to Rifleman Robert Robinson(Hokonui Heritage Museum ,Gore NZ)

Hi Iain,
A very worthwhile project.
Here are some more patches sewn on a puttee measuring 8 feet x 4 inches with 6 feet 6 inches of ribbon attached
I have named them to the best of my ability and welcome comments and corrections if required.
Cheers, Tinto

1st Bn. Auckland Regiment Black/Red/Black vertical bars
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment Red diamond on Black square
1st Bn. Wellington Regiment Black/Yellow/Black vertical bars
2nd Bn. Wellington Regiment Yellow diamond on Black square

1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment Blue/Red diamond divided vertically on Black square
2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment Red/Blue diamond divided horizontally on Black square
1st Bn. Otago Regiment Blue/Orange diamond divided vertically on Black square
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment Blue/Orange diamond divided horizontally on Black square
3rd Bn. Auckland Regiment Red/Black/Red vertical bars

3rd Bn. Wellington Regiment Yellow/Black/Yellow vertical bars
4th Bn. Wellington Regiment Black diamond on Yellow square
3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment Blue/Red/Blue vertical bars
3rd Bn. Otago Regiment Blue/Orange/Blue vertical bars

? Blue/Orange/Blue vertical bars on Black diamond
? Red/Blue/Red vertical bars on Black diamond
? Red square on Black square

3rd Bn. Wellington Regiment Yellow/Black/Yellow vertical bars
4th Machine Gun Company Red star on Black square
5th Machine Gun Company Blue-black star on Red Square

Veterinary Corps Maroon square, 2¼" x 2¼"

Thanks Tinto for sharing your great collection with us .Its nice to see them in colour (something our reference books lack)

Photographs of regimental colour patches being worn are hard to find ,as they were mostly worn on the back of the tunics ,between the shoulder blades.



Here is one of 2nd Battalion Otago regiment ,company runner Bobby Bowie ,wearing a yellow armband with a colour patch of the 2nd O.I.R

Hi Iain,
Thanks for your comments. Keep the pictures coming. I do have a lot of old WW1 period Auckland Weekly pictures but I guess you have already trawled through those.
The book "Images of War: New Zealand and the First World War in Photographs" might have examples of patches worn.
Cheers, Tinto

Hi Tinto,
I'm trying to use photo's from my own collection when I can supplemented by photo's from the 'Onward' project which encompasses photo's From the Auckland Weekly news ,Christchurch Weekly, and Otago Witness and private Photo collections. It's just a matter of processing the relevant material. Here are a few patches and insignia from my lot

7th Wellington Sergeant wearing a physical instructors patch (crossed swords)
Private Sidney Little with a brass marksman's sleeve badge

C1 soldiers ,with brass C1 cap badges on a Home Services patch.
Upon enlistment all recruits were given a grade, according to their physical fitness. C1 signified the recruit was likely to become fit for active service after a period of physical training .A special camp for their training was set up at Featherston in September 1917 ,and was later moved to Tauherenikau

Here is an unidentified NZASC corporal with two wound stripes and a Saddlers proficiency patch .Private Bernard Gould ,pictured with his brother Frank ,has a worsted marksman badge

A Pipe and drum band of the Auckland Infantry Regiment .The soldiers are wearing either a Bagpipe or a Drum distinguishing patch .

The 3rd Auckland Infantry brass band .Some are wearing the ''lyre'' musicians patch

A New Zealand Medical Corp Private with a Red Cross Medical Corp patch ,and a New Zealand Army Service Corp Private with a farrier(horseshoe) distinguishing patch

Home Service
 

Has anyone got Home Service patches, worn during WWI in New Zealand ?

Its the old story, family lore doesn't always match the historical facts .Written on the front of the photo ,''France 28/8/18, V.C winner ,Jim Blackburn (cousin of mum)''

Sergeant James Blackburn ,8th Southland company ,1st Otago Infantry Battalion was indeed a brave man ,but he didn't win the British empires highest valour medal as one of his family members has noted .Instead he was awarded the Military Medal (MM) and France's Croix de Guerre. Tragically ,he died of wounds on the 8/11/18 ,just 3 days before wars end .

James's is wearing a Lewis Gun proficiency badge .

I've tried to illustrate this thread with original photo's from my own small collection when I can .These two are copies of originals that I have in an album. The ''train spotters'' out there will recognise them from the Distinguishing patch book .

Firstly is the non regulation use of 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment (soldiers are wearing 17th Ruahine Infantry badges) .Worn on the forearm instead of the regulation beneath the collar ,on the back of the jacket

Secondly is a New Zealand Field Artillery ,Gunner, wearing a 3rd Battalion (Blue circle/red triangle) .Also of note ,the 9th Wellington East Coast Infantry ,Warrant Officer ,is wearing a brass or bronze Warrant officers badge on his right sleeve

G.O 424/1919 (2nd June 1919)

Distinctive badges for outpatients

Blue band 3 inches wide , on hospital blues or khaki uniform .

for following occasions

When given leave for a period of 4 hours or longer

When attending vocational or educational classes outside the hospital grounds

When attending military funerals or other ceremonial occasions

The South Canterbury private appears to have a khaki ? armband which I cannot find reference for

Images are from my personal collection

For more images of WW1 NZEF wearing badges and insignia

Face Book community page Unknown Warriors of the NZEF

This group of NZMGC soldiers is also wearing the mysterious khaki band ,not referenced in "New Zealand Army Distinguishing patches 1911-1991 ''by Thomas and Lord .

Of note some of these armlets are half and some are full bands

Looking to identify this unknown proficiency patch

A WW1 New Zealand Field Artillery ,Gunner.

See this recent thread, only its being worn by a Canadian.

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=59819

Keith

Its a 'Skill in Driving' prize badge

I cannot seem to find a reference for this rectangular patch worn by this group .Any ideas ?

Hi

I have a postcard of an anonymous NZRB man with the "black diamond" on the shoulder. Happy to post if you want me to although it might just be more of the same. The postcard came from New Plymouth so logical to assume he came from that area.

A talk with an old NZRB man said that while they were well-known as the Dinks they also were called the "square Dinks" (square patch) and the inverted triangle wearers were called the "arse upside down Dinks".

The very common NZRB cap and collar badge is called the "monkey on the stick". Sad to think that lots more detail like this has gone to the grave....

I will answer my own question as I have found a matching, named group photo in a WW1 newspaper .They are 27th -29th reinforcement specialists ,just arrived at Sling camp in 1917.The insignia must be an unrecorded patch pertaining to that unit.

Here's an example of the Cyclist patch. Whether or not it's an original WW1 item or a later 'display' piece I can't say, but at least it gives an idea of how it looked. It was also worn by AIF cyclists as well for a while.

Hi Lettman,
The following is from my collection. The last picture is a copy of the original NZEF Order No 495, 31 January 1918.

https://s10.postimg.org/hfmbnabgp/NZCC.jpg

https://s10.postimg.org/wbkuv0cmh/NZCC_Patches_495.png

Thanks for this. I wondered what the 1 1/2-inch version looked like. The 2-inch patch is of the type authorised for the AIF.

Its great to see so much new research going into the old NZ Army patches. Brilliant work everyone.
Cliff Lord

Sergeant Frederick William Watson,12/1020 receives his DCM from General Birdwood ,at Hornchurch in June 1916.


He is wearing an interesting MG patch .


He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant and killed in action.


(thanks to Ray for sending this over)

Unknown WW1 insignia patch. Any one know what it represents ? I have also seen this rectangular patch in a colourized photo. That one was red.

During the period around Messines and 3rd Ypres some of the formations in II. ANZAC Corps wore temporary distinguishing signs, or 'destination patches' on operations for control and identification during the battles.

For instance at Messines 25 Div wore green patches, 4 Aust Div wore pink armbands or patches, and 3 Div wore patches on the back of the right arm depending on which Line they were assaulting (as well as company patches in some cases).

His patch seems to be just 'tacked' on, so perhaps this was a patch worn by the NZ Div for the same purpose. They were supposed to be removed after the operation but I imagine that wounded or gassed personnel still had theirs attached after they were evacuated.

Keith