Prior to the adoption of the Specialist reinforcement badges, machine gun reinforcements wore the same reinforcement badges as the Infantry, sometimes with the letters “MG” in centre position.
First pattern Specialist Company badges. (Produced in brass, bronze and silver, although I have yet to see a bronze version)
Second pattern Specialist Company badge. (Produced only in cap badge size in brass and silver)
Third Pattern Specialist Company badges. (Produced in brass, brass with silver machinegun, bronze and silver machinegun worn by officers, and silver)
All three Specialists pattern cap badges were worn with the first and third pattern collar badges as well as other generic reinforcement collar badges.
The Specialist Company badges were worn up until the 33rd Reinforcements, from the 34th Reinforcements onwards, the Specialist Machine-Gun Section reinforcements more commonly wore the ‘Stubby barrel’ crossed machine gun cap and collar badges. (These were worn with the NZMGS shoulder title)
The following arrived in my mailbox today, it is a rare NZ Specialist Machine-Gun Section reinforcement qualification badge, these were usually worn on the left arm, but I do have photos showing these being worn on the right arm.
Lance Sergeant Hereward Regenald Ludbrook, Service No. 54667, 33rd Reinforcements Specialist Company, Embarkation Date: 31 December 1917. (Died of wounds France 8th September 1918)
Sergeant Ludbrook is wearing Third pattern Specialist collar badges and a Reinforcement Machine Gun qualification arm badge.
