BADGE OF NEW ZEALAND OVERSEAS FORCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 289, 7 December 1939, Page 9

BADGE OF NEW ZEALAND OVERSEAS FORCE

TWO FERN LEAVES AND “N.Z.” REGIMENTAL INSIGNIA TO DISAPPEAR. Although the exact design has not yet been decided, the New Zealand military forces for overseas are to have one type of distinguishing badge, and the old regimental badges are to disappear. Colours of pugarees and a system of coloured patches on tunic, will be used to define the units to which the men belong. Colonel S. H. Crump, Deputy-Assist-ant Quartermaster - General, who visited Burnham Camp, said that the design at present under consideration was two fern leaves, with the letters N.Z. in the middle. All regimental badges are to be abandoned in the meantime and the new badge will replace them as the distiguishing mark of the special force. This will do away with the multiplicity of badges which present characterises the various New Zealand units and which might be confusing to people overseas. The regimental badges now being worn by special force recruits who were serving territorials will soon be replaced by the new badge. During 1914-18 the only infantry unit which had one general distiguishing badge was the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. All other infantry battalions and companies retained their distinguishing regimental badges. Units of the special force, such as the artillery, engineers, signallers, etc., will .be distinguished by the colours of tfteir pugarees and the metal letters containing the initial letters of the unit, which will still be worn on the shoulder straps of tunics.