4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles
Hi Ian,
A very good book is "Waikato Troopers, History of the Waikato Mounted Rifles" by Richard Stowers. NZ$40.00 plus postage. Pub. by author in 2008, 320pp and lots of pictures.
Briefly, this regiment was formed on 17 March 1911 with amalgamation of the 2nd Regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles with the 4th Regiment, Auckland Mounted Rifles. Recruited in Hamilton, Piako, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Tauranga, Opotiki, Whakatane, Te Puke and Matata areas.
Saw action at Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine.
Your badge was worn on the left side of a slouch hat and the hook supported the brim. Yes, the screw post is original. I have such a badge myself.
Sorry, I cannot give you a present day value but was catalogued as NZ$45.00 in 1997. Definitely a rarer badge.
Cheers, Tinto
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