New Zealand Specialist Reinforcement Drafts from World War 1
"Specialists" were soldiers who received training outside the three main streams, i.e. not Infantry, Mounted Rifles or New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
I have groups these badges together as they cover Signalers, Machine Gunners, Medical Corps, Veterinarian Corps, Cyclist Corps, Chaplains and Musicians.
These soldiers were to receive further specialised training in either the UK, or France, and then again when they joined their units.
I have groups these badges together as they cover Signalers, Machine Gunners, Medical Corps, Veterinarian Corps, Cyclist Corps, Chaplains and Musicians.
These soldiers were to receive further specialised training in either the UK, or France, and then again when they joined their units.
Specialist Reinforcement
- Above: First Type - A generic specialist reinforcement Cap badge. It does not seem to have been worn with any corresponding Collar badges. The previous owner provided me the details of the soldier who's estate this badge came from, hence the paper tag.
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- Above: Second type - A generic specialist reinforcement Cap badge and Collar badges. All are gilt brass, and have wire or hex type lugs to back.
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- Opposite: Three Cap badges depicting the 3rd type of Specialist Reinforcement badge. All show slight variations:
- Left: A rarer bi-metal Cap badge to the Specialists, with white metal center on a gilt brass frame.
- Middle: A scarce all gilt brass variation. Note the crown joins mid-way by the fern border, which is much wider than the version to the right.
- Above Right: An all gilt brass, single piece Cap badge depicting crossed signal flags over a Machine Gun. This is the most commonly encountered type.
All have two hex type, brass lugs to back.
- Left: A rarer bi-metal Cap badge to the Specialists, with white metal center on a gilt brass frame.
- Middle: A scarce all gilt brass variation. Note the crown joins mid-way by the fern border, which is much wider than the version to the right.
- Above Right: An all gilt brass, single piece Cap badge depicting crossed signal flags over a Machine Gun. This is the most commonly encountered type.
All have two hex type, brass lugs to back.
- Opposite: Collar badges to the Specialist Reinforcement Drafts.
- Left and Center: A matching pair of single piece, gilt brass collar badges to the Specialist Reinforcement Drafts. Both have 2 brass hex type lugs to back.
- Right: A variation in design of the collar to the Specialist Reinforcement Draft. Note the different fond wreath and the smaller "NZ" to base. Looped wire lugs to back.
- Left and Center: A matching pair of single piece, gilt brass collar badges to the Specialist Reinforcement Drafts. Both have 2 brass hex type lugs to back.
- Right: A variation in design of the collar to the Specialist Reinforcement Draft. Note the different fond wreath and the smaller "NZ" to base. Looped wire lugs to back.
- Left and Center: A matching pair of single piece, non-void gilt brass collar badges to the Specialist Reinforcement Drafts. Both have 2 brass hex type lugs to back.
- Right: A scarce variation in copper on either white metal or silver (not marked) to the Specialist Reinforcement Draft. Small hex lugs to back.
- Right: A scarce variation in copper on either white metal or silver (not marked) to the Specialist Reinforcement Draft. Small hex lugs to back.
NZ Veterinarian Reinforcements
- Opposite: A scarce 2 piece, Veterinarian Corps reinforcement gilt brass cap badge. I have seen a handful of these over the years of collecting. All appear to be on this frame, but can also be non-void to center, which has the monogram of NZVC or New Zealand Veterinarian Corps. I have never seen any corresponding Collars for this badge.
NZ Medical Reinforcements
- Opposite: A pair of 2 piece NZ Medical reinforcement cap badges.
Both are gilt brass, and have a standard gilt brass reinforcement frame which has had a New Zealand Medical Corps Cap badge sweated onto the front. The lugs of the cap badge have been clipped/cut off. The reinforcement frame has either wire or hex type lugs to back.
I have not yet seen a corresponding collar badges to the Medical Reinforcements.
Both are gilt brass, and have a standard gilt brass reinforcement frame which has had a New Zealand Medical Corps Cap badge sweated onto the front. The lugs of the cap badge have been clipped/cut off. The reinforcement frame has either wire or hex type lugs to back.
I have not yet seen a corresponding collar badges to the Medical Reinforcements.
NZ Cyclist Reinforcements
The NZ Cyclist Corps formed in 1916, with reinforcement drafts beginning to train that year.
- Bellow Left: A Cap badge to the New Zealand Cycle Corps. This patterned badge was apparently used prior by some Volunteer units in the 1902 to 1914 period. Sadly records of who have been lost. It appears that it was offered as a private purchase badge to NZ Cyclist Reinforcements. It also comes in a rare White metal and copper version.
- Below Right: Is a Cap and matching Collars set worn by NZ Cyclist Reinforcements. All have hex type brass lugs to back.
- Bellow Left: A Cap badge to the New Zealand Cycle Corps. This patterned badge was apparently used prior by some Volunteer units in the 1902 to 1914 period. Sadly records of who have been lost. It appears that it was offered as a private purchase badge to NZ Cyclist Reinforcements. It also comes in a rare White metal and copper version.
- Below Right: Is a Cap and matching Collars set worn by NZ Cyclist Reinforcements. All have hex type brass lugs to back.
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NZ Army Chaplain Reinforcements
- Opposite: A rather scarce collar badge to a New Zealand (Christian) Army Chaplain associated with the WW1 Reinforcement drafts. I have not yet come across any information on this badge, other than seeing a couple over the years. It is probably made for the badge collectors market at the time. Certainly the New Zealand Army had a Chaplains Department, and they would have been a presents at the Reinforcement training camps during WW1, just as Chaplains served overseas with the NZEF in France, the UK and Middle East.
This badge is in darkened copper, 2 piece, with a hand-cut cross added to center.
This badge is in darkened copper, 2 piece, with a hand-cut cross added to center.
Musicians and Band Badges Associated with the Reinforcements
A selection of Musician reinforcement badges. Musicians and bands were closely associated with the training camps and Army life, as both a form of entertainment, a moral booster, but also used on formal Army parade situations.
- Top Left: A earlier framed reinforcement badge (with matching associated collar below). Two part construction, with a Musical Lyre sweated to center.
- Top Center: A specific band badge to the Featherston Camp Training Band. Trentham had its own band badge too (which I do not have and is sadly faked).
- Bottom Center: A collar badge, with Lyre sweated to center. Frame is used from around the 13th to 15th Reinforcements.
- Top Right: A34th Reinforcement (and beyond) frame, with a separate Lyre sweated to center. Note below is a collar size badge, which has had its lugs removed and broach fitting added.
- Top Left: A earlier framed reinforcement badge (with matching associated collar below). Two part construction, with a Musical Lyre sweated to center.
- Top Center: A specific band badge to the Featherston Camp Training Band. Trentham had its own band badge too (which I do not have and is sadly faked).
- Bottom Center: A collar badge, with Lyre sweated to center. Frame is used from around the 13th to 15th Reinforcements.
- Top Right: A34th Reinforcement (and beyond) frame, with a separate Lyre sweated to center. Note below is a collar size badge, which has had its lugs removed and broach fitting added.
Sweetheart Badges
Sweetheart badges broadly fall into three categories, and have existed alongside all formations of New Zealand Armed Forces. They are collected, but in my opinion, often overlooked, and in some cases undervalued.
The Type 1 Sweethearts badge, are existing worn badges which have been modified to give to the soldiers loved one. More often, this is just a case of the lugs being cut off and a brooch fitting attached.
Some can be more elaborately modified, with the example of the B Coy, 12th Infantry Reinforcement Cap badge opposite, which has had its letter/number to center cut, and hung on a chain below, and a picture of the soldier added in a frame. Lugs again have been removed and a brooch fitting attached.
Sweethearts badges can also take the simplest of forms, for example the 3 tunic buttons, attached to a bar, with a brooch at the base of the photo opposite. These type of buttons were worn by the New Zealand Volunteer Artillery between 1902 to 1911.
Some can be more elaborately modified, with the example of the B Coy, 12th Infantry Reinforcement Cap badge opposite, which has had its letter/number to center cut, and hung on a chain below, and a picture of the soldier added in a frame. Lugs again have been removed and a brooch fitting attached.
Sweethearts badges can also take the simplest of forms, for example the 3 tunic buttons, attached to a bar, with a brooch at the base of the photo opposite. These type of buttons were worn by the New Zealand Volunteer Artillery between 1902 to 1911.
The Type 2 Sweethearts badges are made from precious and semi-precious metals, but are created from exiting dies of badges or of similar sizes to their brass issued counterparts.
- Opposite: Is a selections of Stirling Silver and 9ct Gold Sweethearts badges, which are the same size as their gilt brass worn badges. All have brooch fittings to back and depict Reinforcement drafts, Corps and Regiments.
The Type 3 Sweethearts badges, are unique pieces of Jewelry, purchased by the Soldier for his/her loved one. Sometimes they have the Soldiers serial number either engraved or added with hand-cut numbers to the jewel. Some can be associated with a unit or reinforcement draft, but are not representative of the type of badge worn by the Soldier or unit. Some are in precious and semi-precious metals and also have cut stones associated with the patriotic colours of Red/White/Blue.
- Opposite: Is a selections of Stirling Silver and 9ct Gold Sweethearts badges, which are the same size as their gilt brass worn badges. All have brooch fittings to back and depict Reinforcement drafts, Corps and Regiments.
The Type 3 Sweethearts badges, are unique pieces of Jewelry, purchased by the Soldier for his/her loved one. Sometimes they have the Soldiers serial number either engraved or added with hand-cut numbers to the jewel. Some can be associated with a unit or reinforcement draft, but are not representative of the type of badge worn by the Soldier or unit. Some are in precious and semi-precious metals and also have cut stones associated with the patriotic colours of Red/White/Blue.
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Other Services Associated With the Training Camps
A selection of mainly New Zealand worn badges associated with the Army Camps in and around New Zealand during WW1
Base Records and Camp Quarter Masters Stores (C.Q.M.S)
The following two badges were worn by Departments associated with running the camps.
- Top and Mid Left: A cap badge and collar to the Base Records Department. Set up to administrate the huge volume of paperwork generated by drafting and enlisting men and women in the War at the Training Camps. The Cap is of two piece construction, with a central badge which is also used as a collar, sweated onto a Reinforcements frame.
- Top Right and Bottom Row: Camp Quarter Masters Stores where in charge of issuing all Army related kit to the solders and maintaining it to a going standard as the Soldier trained. Note the variation in collar, with a void and non-void type.
- Top and Mid Left: A cap badge and collar to the Base Records Department. Set up to administrate the huge volume of paperwork generated by drafting and enlisting men and women in the War at the Training Camps. The Cap is of two piece construction, with a central badge which is also used as a collar, sweated onto a Reinforcements frame.
- Top Right and Bottom Row: Camp Quarter Masters Stores where in charge of issuing all Army related kit to the solders and maintaining it to a going standard as the Soldier trained. Note the variation in collar, with a void and non-void type.
- Opposite: A Quartermaster Sergeant photographed with Hut 32, C Company, 18th Infantry Reinforcements. Sadly unnamed, but note his Camp Quarter Masters Stores Cap badge to his hat, and the Quartermaster Star trade sleeve patch just above his sergeants stripes.
Camp Military Police
Two of the largest training camps during WW1 in NZ had their own permanent Camp Military Police, that was Featherston (badge on the left, with corresponding collars) and Trentham (see below).
All are bi-metal, with a separate white metal monogram on a gilt brass frame.
All are bi-metal, with a separate white metal monogram on a gilt brass frame.
Cap and collar badge to the Trentham Military Police. They are pictured with the New Zealand Military Police titles. These were worn also overseas, in England and these curved titles are usually made from New Zealand Mounted Rifles titles, and just have the foot of the "R" removed.
NZ School of Musketry
During WW1, a specialised School of Musketry was set up to establish a standard in Rifle Expertise amongst the Reinforcements.
- Top and Middle: A Officers Badge set to the NZ School of Musketry. This is the void type of Cap and Collar. The cap at least, does come in a non-void variation.
- Bottom Row: Collar badges only worn by OR's in the NZ School of Musketry. The Cap badge is just a larger version of these two badges.
All are single piece, gilt brass.
- Top and Middle: A Officers Badge set to the NZ School of Musketry. This is the void type of Cap and Collar. The cap at least, does come in a non-void variation.
- Bottom Row: Collar badges only worn by OR's in the NZ School of Musketry. The Cap badge is just a larger version of these two badges.
All are single piece, gilt brass.
New Zealand Physical Training Staff
Formed during WW1, the New Zealand Physical Training Staff wore these associated cap and collar badges. Note the slight difference in manufacture with a void and non-void area beneath the crown.
New Zealand Army Pay Corps
The New Zealand Army Pay Corps initially formed in WW1. There has been some debate on whether they wore a badge outside of New Zealand (with their function instead being carried out within the Regiments overseas).
- Opposite: A New Zealand made Cap and Collar badge set to the New Zealand Army Pay Corps. These badges shown the characteristic's of a New Zealand Reinforcement made badge, with die stamped gilt brass and thin hex type lugs to back.
- Opposite: A New Zealand made Cap and Collar badge set to the New Zealand Army Pay Corps. These badges shown the characteristic's of a New Zealand Reinforcement made badge, with die stamped gilt brass and thin hex type lugs to back.
- Opposite: The top two NZAPC shoulder titles are thick, die stamped shoulder titles with the maker mark of "J R Gaunt London" impressed to back.
The bottom two, are thin, die stamped shoulder titles with no maker mark, and thin Reinforcement like hex brass lugs to back.
The NZAPC disbanded after WW1 to be mentioned on paper only. They were to reform again in WW2.
The bottom two, are thin, die stamped shoulder titles with no maker mark, and thin Reinforcement like hex brass lugs to back.
The NZAPC disbanded after WW1 to be mentioned on paper only. They were to reform again in WW2.
Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A)
The Young Men's Christian Association or Y.M.C.A. played a major role in WW1 (and WW2) for New Zealand Soldiers, both near the fronts in France, Belgium and around the camps in the Middle East, but also while the men trained in New Zealand. They offered comforts like a place to read, write (and provided writing material), meet or have a cuppa.
- Top Left: Bronze Officers badge made by J R Gaunt of London. The design of the WW2 badge is very similar, but the boarder touches the Kiwi at the top on both sides on the later version.
- Top Right: A sand cast Cap badge, possible OK as Y.M.C.A personnel were in the Middle East, which is usually where sand cast badges a generated from at the time.
- Bottom left and bottom right: Bronze collars, not quite matching the above Officers badge. Note the kiwi's to the top are opposing. The WW2 version seems to only have the kiwi on the collars facing to the right.
Middle: A pair of period brass, hand-cut shoulder titles to the Y.M.C.A.
- Top Left: Bronze Officers badge made by J R Gaunt of London. The design of the WW2 badge is very similar, but the boarder touches the Kiwi at the top on both sides on the later version.
- Top Right: A sand cast Cap badge, possible OK as Y.M.C.A personnel were in the Middle East, which is usually where sand cast badges a generated from at the time.
- Bottom left and bottom right: Bronze collars, not quite matching the above Officers badge. Note the kiwi's to the top are opposing. The WW2 version seems to only have the kiwi on the collars facing to the right.
Middle: A pair of period brass, hand-cut shoulder titles to the Y.M.C.A.
- Opposite: A small Silver (hallmarked) and enamel brooch to the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. WW1 style badge to front, with the red triangle to center and "Y.M.C.A" on a black enamel background. Maker marked to "W.J.D" to back.