4th Battalion (Taranaki Rifles) Wellington Regiment Cap/Collar Badge

[atillathenunns]

Ok, its pretty much confirmed that the 4th Battalion Taranaki badge was never worn pre 1911, so we now have a reasonably solid timeline.

First issue (1911) - XI Taranaki with Battle Honours
Second issue - XI Taranaki without Battle Honours
Third issue (1921-1923) IV Battalion Taranaki (worn into the 1930s)

[atillathenunns]

4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1895 - 1911.
4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1895 - 1911..jpg


4th Taranaki Battalion shoulder titles 1899 - 1911.
4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1899 - 1911..jpg


First issue (1911) - XI Taranaki with Battle Honours
Taranaki XI Regiment with Battle Honours.jpg


Second issue (circa 1914 - 1948) - XI Taranaki without Battle Honours
Taranaki XI Regiment without Battle Honours.jpg


Third issue (1921-1923) IV Battalion Taranaki (worn into the 1930s)
Taranaki IV Battalion Taranaki (worn into the 1930s).jpg

[Tinto]

Hi Brent,
Thanks for the pictures and dates for these Taranaki Regiment badges.
Regards, John

Originally Posted by atillathenunns

4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1895 - 1911.
Attachment 257516


4th Taranaki Battalion shoulder titles 1899 - 1911.
Attachment 257517


First issue (1911) - XI Taranaki with Battle Honours
Attachment 257518


Second issue (circa 1914 - 1948) - XI Taranaki without Battle Honours
Attachment 257519


Third issue (1921-1923) IV Battalion Taranaki (worn into the 1930s)
Attachment 257520

[RNeil]

[QUOTE=atillathenunns;560047]4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1895 - 1911.
Attachment 257516


Thanks for sharing these, its really great to visually see the progression of the badge.

I am curious about the coloured backings on the 1895-1911 badges, is this original or just something done to highlight the display?

[atillathenunns]

[QUOTE=RNeil;560117]

Originally Posted by atillathenunns

4th Battalion (Taranaki) Wellington Rifles 1895 - 1911.
Attachment 257516


Thanks for sharing these, its really great to visually see the progression of the badge.

I am curious about the coloured backings on the 1895-1911 badges, is this original or just something done to highlight the display?

I have a habit of moving badges around on my display boards, so the felt helps to hide the holes, however, the blue represents the blue collar and blue cap that the badges were originally worn on, the red represents the scarlet tunic.

[atillathenunns]

My Wellington Volunteers display board.

Wellington Vollunteers.jpg

[atillathenunns]

The white felt behind the 2nd Wellington helmet plate represents the white helmet that was worn by the 2nd Wellington.

2nd Wellington Battalion 56a.jpg

[woronora]

Hi Brent

Great collection. Thanks for sharing.

John

[RNeil]

[QUOTE=atillathenunns;560129]

Originally Posted by RNeil

I have a habit of moving badges around on my display boards, so the felt helps to hide the holes, however, the blue represents the blue collar and blue cap that the badges were originally worn on, the red represents the scarlet tunic.

Thanks for that, its a very nice touch

[stevjp]

Hi,
many thanks for the superb image 5WWCT of the 11th Taranaki Officers.
This surely throws up more questions.
1. If a mix of badges were worn, does this mean that only officers of the 4th Battalion of the Taranaki Rifle Regiment were permitted to wear this collar, and why, and surely this should now be designated as a collar only.
2. Did the other ranks follow this format?
3. What were the 4th Battalion of the 11th in 1930. Are they Territorials or a Cadet unit? - for example the 4th Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment were cadets, wearing a voided version of their Regiments Cap badge, with different wording to center.

Many thanks
James.

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by stevjp

1. If a mix of badges were worn, does this mean that only officers of the 4th Battalion of the Taranaki Rifle Regiment were permitted to wear this collar, and why, and surely this should now be designated as a collar only.

The 1921 to 1923 Taranaki 4th Battalion badges in the photograph were worn as both cap and collar badges, it is likely the officers in the picture are wearing bronze badges.

Originally Posted by stevjp

2. Did the other ranks follow this format?

Yes there is photographic evidence that the other ranks wore the brass version.

Originally Posted by stevjp

3. What were the 4th Battalion of the 11th in 1930. Are they Territorials or a Cadet unit? - for example the 4th Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment were cadets, wearing a voided version of their Regiments Cap badge, with different wording to center.

In 1921 the NZ territorial force was reduced to 12 Infantry Battalions which was divided into 3 Commands, Northern, Central and Southern Command. The 11th Taranaki Regiment was re-designated the 4th Battalion Wellington Regiment.
In 1923 the 4th Battalion Wellington Regiment was re-designated the Taranaki Regiment.
So it would seem the 4th Battalion badges were made during this period and wasted out into the 1930s.

Bronze 4th Battalion badge from the Laurie Osbourne collection.
11th Taranaki 4th Battalion bronze officers..jpg

[stevjp]

Many thanks Brent.
James.