Scratch one off the 10 most wanted.

[atillathenunns]

This Boer War badge has been number 4 on my 10 most wanted list compiled from Dave Corbett’s book “The Regimental Badges of New Zealand.”

The badge below is pictured in Corbett’s book, page 126, and the exact same badge is pictured in Oldham’s 2011 book on page 11 (No. 2/26)



The following is my latest acquisition that has come direct from the premier collection of Laurie Osborne.



Clearly my new badge is not the same as the one in Corbett’s book, but it is proportionately more in keeping with the hat badge that is being worn by George Klee seated on the left in the following photo.
Brothers Victor standing in the middle, and Louis seated on the right all served with the New Zealand 7th Contingent.



The following is a close up of the hat badge that is being worn by George Klee.



The following information is supplied by Lloyd Klee the Grandson of George Klee.

http://www.nzmr.org/phpBB3/viewtopic...633&hilit=klee

George Klee saw action in the Orange Free State and Transvaal, later becoming a member of the NZ Permanent Force, serving in the military most of his working life - Astoundingly he was again in service at the outbreak of not World War One but WWII in 1939. George would have retired aged 55 in 1934 but his political connections allowed him to continue until aged 60. Then with the outbreak of war his service was again required until his retirement due to medical grounds in December 1940. He was 62 and had served his country for 37 years.

[Tinto]

Hi Brent,

That's a great acquisition. Thanks for showing the pictures.

Regards, Tinto

[atillathenunns]

Originally Posted by Tinto

Hi Brent,

That's a great acquisition. Thanks for showing the pictures.

Regards, Tinto

Thanks John, I have the usual generic NZ Boer War badges in my collection and this is my first “unofficial” acquisition, so am very pleased with it.

For those who are unfamiliar with these “unofficial” badges they are rare and period photographs of these badges being actually worn is extremely rare, and although the badge worn by George Klee is slightly distorted it is hard to deny my badge is a very good match to the one in the photograph, and very possibly as the old expression goes “they are one and the same.”

And for those who are interested in Uniforms and Badges worn by New Zealanders during the Boer war, the following blog may be of interest.

http://militarianz.freeforums.org/ne...ent-t1650.html

The following is another lovely rare NZ Boer War hat badge that was recently offered for sale from the premier collection of Laurie Osborne.
It depicts the Fern leaf, the Kiwi and what I believe is a Huia feather.

[Ironside410]

Thanks for sharing the "unofficial" NZ badges from the Boer War, they are truly amazing and have more character than any I have seen before.

Well done on the pick up.

Dennis

[atillathenunns]

And another lovely rare NZ Boer War hat badge that was recently offered for sale from the premier collection of Laurie Osborne.
Oldham’s 2011 book on page 11 (No. 2/26)

[atillathenunns]

The following is another lovely rare NZ Boer War hat badge that was recently offered for sale from the premier collection of Laurie Osborne.