N.Z. SERVICE EMBLEMS

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 4

N.Z. SERVICE EMBLEMS

OAK LEAVES AND CHEVRONS. P.A. WELLINGTON, August 11. Conditions governing the wearing of an Oak Leaf emblem, denoting men-, tion in despatches; and of Chevrons, indicating length of service in tne armed forces, are set forth in Army instructions published this week. Royal approval has been given io the award of an emblem to be worn by members of His Majesty’s forces who have received military of civil commendation for brave conduct during the present war. The emblem is in the form of a bronze oak leaf, different in pattern from that instituted for the last war. It will not be worn on the ribbon of any existing decoration, but will be attached directly to the jacket in a position in which a single ribbon would be worn, or m .the position in which a ribbon would be placed immediately after those already worn. An instruction, authorising tne wearing, when in uniform, by all members of the New Zealand forces entitled to do so, of chevrons, denoting length of service in the armed forces, states that one chevron will oe granted for each completed year of service in the present war, commencing (for all personnel then serving) on Seotember 3, 1939, recipients to become'eligible for their first chevron at the end of their first year's service, and so on. The chevron will be printed in red on a khaki cloth bacKground, and will be worn with the apex uppermost on the outside of tne forearm portion of the right sleeve. Each chevron will be three-tenths ot an inch wide, with each arm measuring three-quarters of an inch long. The issue of a “mentioned in despatches’’ emblem will be made Dy Base Records, and no application Dy those entitled to it is necessary. Applications from personnel still serving for chevrons will be made to their present commanding officer, who will check the length of service from personal records, and approve of tne number of chevrons to which the applicant is entitled.

CANADIAN SERVICE GRATUITIES. (Rec. 5.5.) OTTAWA, August .10. Mr. MacKenzie King, Prime Minister; has introduced a War Service Gratuity Bill under which, mustering benefits to servicemen are estimated to cost 750 million dollars. Service personnel will receive bonuses ranging up to nine hundred dollars in the case of those who have given live years’ service overseas. Payments will be based on fifteen dollars tor every thirty days’ service overseas or on the Aleutian Islands. For general service elsewhere, the rate will oe halved. The drafted service personnel are not eligible for any benefit, except for such periods as they may volunteer for active service.