NZ 4th Mounted Rifles - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

whizzbang · #1 01-06-10, 02:55 AM

I picked this badge up years ago just because I really liked it. I believe it is WW1 vintage, 4th Waikato Mounted Rifles. Any info on the unit history would be much appreciated.

It has an interesting 'hook' on it - would anyone know what this was for? Would the screw-post fixing be original?

Also curious to know approximate value (crass North American that I am

)?

Cheers, Ian.

Tinto · #2 01-06-10, 04:36 AM

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

whizzbang · #3 01-06-10, 12:20 PM

Hi Tinto,

Thanks for the info. I shall have to try hard NOT to get into collecting NZ badges as CEF is a lifetime pursuit on its own! I think WW1-era NZ badges are beautiful and it would be easy to get hooked...

Cheers, Ian.

Wayne Ihaka · #4 06-06-10, 11:43 PM

Price on your 4th Waikato Mounted Rifles with hook - most of these badges had hooks taken off - If I was in the market for one I would probably give you USD100. A lovely badge.

whizzbang · #5 07-06-10, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Ihaka

Price on your 4th Waikato Mounted Rifles with hook - most of these badges had hooks taken off - If I was in the market for one I would probably give you USD100. A lovely badge.

Thanks for that info Wayne, much appreciated! Cheers, Ian.

Kai Mahoney · #6 16-06-10, 03:04 AM

Guys, would the badges shown here have been actually worn at Gillipoli? I am putting a file together of what I need to find for my collection (Gallipoli)
Thanks
Kai

Tinto · #7 16-06-10, 04:57 PM

Hi Kai,
The hooked badges would not have been worn at Gallipoli. By that time, the Mounted Rifles wore their badge on front of the hat.
Cheers, Tinto

Kai Mahoney · #8 16-06-10, 10:56 PM

Thank you Tinto

Kai

atillathenunns · #9 17-06-10, 12:39 AM

IMO the wearing of the brim down and the move of Regimental hat badges from the side to the front, was a quick remedy to easily identify New Zealanders from their Australian counterparts.

Its worth considering that the 4th Waikato Mounted Rifle members of the Main Body and their 1st and 2nd Reinforcements, would have been issued hook hat badges until the supply was exhausted.

Many of the hooks were cut off by their owners to give the hat a more aesthetic look while the badge was worn on the front.

Fortunately for us badge collectors, some chose not to remove the hook as can be seen in the photos below.

Brent

Trooper Richard Bluett 13/291

Trooper Lewis Cuthbert Turton 13/466

Second Lieutenant Morris James Milliken 13/279

Tinto · #10 17-06-10, 01:43 AM

Hi Brent,
Thanks for your input. The photos "say" it all, some hooked badges may have been worn at Gallipoli.
Cheers, Tinto

Kai Mahoney · #11 17-06-10, 03:54 AM

Thank you Tinto and Brent for the education, it is really appreciated and I will put this badge into the files, would be an honour to own one - Gallipolli or not.
Thanks again

Kai