WW1 or WW2? Obsolete badges re-used during World War Two - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

nbroadarrowz · #1 23-09-22, 10:52 PM

A number of regimental and corps badges were used in both WW1 and WW2, but some were not used for their intended purpose and the badges had been made obsolete when a regiment was absorbed, or corps disbanded. During the early 1920’s a reorganisation of the New Zealand Defence force took place. Which badges were re-used and who wore them in WW2?
A number of uniform pieces in private and public collections bear the badges of WW1 regiments or corps and are considered to be WW1 period, but this is not the case once the uniform is examined and the history of the badges being used is understood. Some of these items are promoted and hyped as WW1 and yet others are dismissed as being WW2 through a lack of understanding. The most notable unit to use obsolete WW1 badges during WW2 was the National Military Reserve.
The National Military Reserve should not be confused with the National Reserve of WW1.
The N.M.R. was formed in late 1938 with the purpose of having a reserve of pre-registered men to support the Territorial Force in a time of emergency. The N.M.R. was divided in three Classes. The N.M.R. was incorporated into the Defence Force on 1st September 1939 with the first N.M.R. battalions being called out for service on 1st July 1940. During WW2 the N.M.R. consisted of 22 Battalions, 21 Independent Infantry Companies and 9 independent Mounted Rifle squadrons. The N.M.R. was a uniformed organisation and wore the army’s obsolete service dress jacket and 1908 web equipment until stocks of the 1937 pattern equipment were imported. With the reorganisation in early 1942 the N.M.R. units were transferred to Territorial status and the battalions of these regiments continued to wear the badges allocated to the N.M.R. units.

Badge of the 2nd (South Canterbury) Infantry Regiment
Considered obsolete in 1921 when the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment was absorbed into the 1st Canterbury Regiment. During WW2 the badge of the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment was used by -
• 3rd Battalion National Military Reserve.
• 15th Independent Company, Nelson National Military Reserve.
• 16th Independent Company, Blenheim and Picton National Military Reserve.
• 18th Independent Company, Timaru National Military Reserve.

Badge of the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Infantry Regiment
Considered obsolete in 1921 when the 13th North Canterbury Regiment was absorbed into the 1st Canterbury Regiment. During WW2 the badge of the 13th North Canterbury Regiment was used by -
• 17th Independent Company, Greymouth and Westport National Military Reserve.

Badge of the 10th (North Otago) Infantry Regiment
Considered obsolete when the 10th North Otago Regiment was absorbed into the 4th Otago Regiment. During WW2 the badge of the 10th North Otago Regiment was used by -
• 4th Battalion, Dunedin National Military Reserve.
• 19th Independent Company Oamaru National Military Reserve.
• 20th Independent Company, Invercargill National Military Reserve.

Badge of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Considered obsolete in 1919 when the N.Z.R.B. was disbanded. There is NO evidence to show that the Rifle Brigade button with the letters NZRB in the centre was used during WW1. During WW2 the badge and button of the Rifle Brigade was used by the -
• Northern Military District units, National Military Reserve. (Except the I.M.R. Sqn.)
• Central Military District units, National Military Reserve. (Except the I.M.R. Sqn.)
• Guards Vital Points.
• 4th Battalion Auckland Regiment (when they were formed from 1st Battalion N.M.R. in February 1942).

Badge of the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles
Considered obsolete when the 7th Southland Mounted Rifles was absorbed into the 5th Otago Mounted Rifles in 1921. During WW2 the badge of the 7th Southland Mounted Rifles was used by the
• No 1 Northland Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 2 Kaipara Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 3 Hauraki Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 4 East Coast Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 5 Tararua Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 6 Marlborough Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 7 Nelson Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 8 Ellesmere Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron
• No 9 Taieri Independent Mounted Rifle Squadron

Badge of the 17th (Ruahine) Infantry Regiment
Considered obsolete in 1921 when the 17th Ruahine Regiment was absorbed into the 9th Hawkes Bay Regiment. During WW2 the badge of the 17th Ruahine Regiment was used by the 2nd Battalion Hawkes’ Bay Regiment when mobilized as the 1st Battalion Ruahine Regiment in 1941.

Badge of the Post and Telegraph Corps
Considered obsolete in 1921 when the Post and Telegraph Corps was reorganised as the New Zealand Corps of Signals. During WW2 the Post and Telegraph Corps badge was used by the Southern District Signal Company based in Christchurch. The badge was used from mobilisation in 1939 until 1941.

Just because a uniform piece has the familiar WW1 badges in place, we should not automatically assume that it is WW1. Have a second look, it may well be that the item is from one of the underappreciated Home Front units.

Barry

woronora · #2 25-09-22, 02:02 AM

Hi Barry

Thank you for this valuable information. Any idea why these home guard units wore these badge rather than the generic Onward badge. Home guard units in Australia wore the generic rising sun badge.

John

nbroadarrowz · #3 25-09-22, 02:34 AM

Hi John,
These units are not Home Guard so do not wear the Home Guard badge.
The Home Guard was a separate organisation.
The Onward badge was the badge of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

I do have two uniforms with NMR badges on as well as some paperwork items to this group and I do keep a badge of each as part of my WW2 collection.
In 2017 I did a display at the local show.
Any questions please ask.
Barry

milhistry · #4 25-09-22, 07:12 AM

Very interesting! I have previously written to the museum at Waioru asking for information about NMR vs GVP vs HG and didn't get a particularly useful reply. I suspect they didn't know the difference between them all any better than I did. I was aware GVP wore the old NZRB badges having seen one of those pennants on TradeMe a while ago. Very interesting to learn about the other badges being worn.

Buttonman · #5 25-09-22, 01:01 PM

Hi Barry,

Are you saying that the NZRB Rifle Brigade button was only worn between the wars?

Thanks,

David.

nbroadarrowz · #6 25-09-22, 01:55 PM

The NZRB button with the letters was only worn during ww2.
It is folklore that they were worn during ww1.
There is no evidence to support their use during ww1.
The detailed dress regulations in the back of the NZRB official history don't even mention the NZRB letter button.
During ww1 the NZRB wore the British Rifle Brigade button
Barry

Buttonman · #7 25-09-22, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbroadarrowz

The NZRB button with the letters was only worn during ww2.
It is folklore that they were worn during ww1.
There is no evidence to support their use during ww1.
The detailed dress regulations in the back of the NZRB official history don't even mention the NZRB letter button.
During ww1 the NZRB wore the British Rifle Brigade button
Barry

Thank you.

David.

nbroadarrowz · #8 26-09-22, 04:27 PM

There is another obsolete ww1 badge that was reissued in ww2.
It will be included in one of my other research articles.
Barry