WW1 Reinforcements to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force - New Category

The large range and variety of the reinforcement cap and collar badges to the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force of WW1, are a fascinating aspect of New Zealand's military history, and probably unique as a series of privately produced badges in the field of British Commonwealth Badge collecting.

In this new section of the website, I am pleased to present a selection of these badges, which although unofficial and ordered and for the most part paid for by the individual volunteer recruits themselves, they are scarce survivors as they were discarded on arrival at Sling Camp in England. They were manufactured in New Zealand by enterprising badge manufacturers and jewelers.

The wearing of definite hat and collar badges, by regiments and corps, never appears to have been strictly enforced in the New Zealand Army, unlike the British Army, together with their natural independent outlook, was probably the basis for the wearing of these individualistic badges, the designs of which are in some cases miniature works of art, such as those worn by the 19th, 21st and 24th Reinforcements.

According to Corbett in his " Regimental Badges of New Zealand " there were as many as 47 companies of reinforcements, so this is a rich area of collecting, much overlooked.

Code: 57459Price: On Request

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - 19th Reinforcements Cap and Collar Badge Set

Cap and matching collar badge set, all die struck in gilding metal and with two original loops to the reverse of each. Awesome design. Motto KIA TUPATO (Be Careful). Slight colour variation between the cap and collars. Scarce.

Corbett's " The Regimental Badges of New Zealand " page 181 refers

B23.12/17

Code: 57458Price: 155.00 GBP

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - 20th Reinforcements Cap Badge

Die struck gilding metal cap badge with voided centre and two original hexagonal lugs to the reverse. Circa 4.3cm tall. Note the incorrect use of a Victorian pattern crown as per illustrated in Corbett's " The Regimental Badges of New Zealand ", page 182. In very good condition and scarce.

B23.15

Code: 57457Price: 85.00 GBP

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - 21st Reinforcements Collars

Die struck in gilding metal with two original hexagonal lugs to the reverse of each. Facing pair, display well together but not a exact match, and one is a darker shade than the other. Both have a registered design number in the reverse of the tail of the bird, which is more legible than the other, and which is " RD822 ". Circa 2.8cm tall. Scarce.

See item 54569 for the the cap badge (already sold).

Corbett's " The Regimental Badges of New Zealand " page 182 refers

B23.13

Code: 57456Price: 95.00 GBP

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - 23rd Reinforcements Facing Pair of Collar Badges

A close match of facing brass gilding metal collar badges with two original hexagonal loops to the reverse. Motto " Kia Mate Toa (Fight Unto Death ) ". Circa 2.4cm tall. Scarce.

Corbett's " The Regimental Badges of New Zealand " page 183 refers

B23.14

Code: 57454Price:

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - C1 Camp Brass Cap Badge

Brass gilding metal cap badge with two original loops to the reverse. Circa 3.8cm tall. Some wear to gilt finish otherwise in very good condition.

According to Corbett, the grading C1 stood for grading volunteer recruits " likely to become fit for active service after special training ". The camp was at Featherston in 1917 and then moved to Tauherenikau where the training provided so successful that sixty per cent of the men were able to join the reinforcements.

Corbett's " The Regimental Badges of New Zealand " page 193 refers

B23.16

Code: 57455Price: 45.00 GBP

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionary Force - 28th Reinforcements Brass Cap Badge

A good die stamped gilded metal example, with two original loops to the reverse. Circa 4.9cm tall and 4.1cm wide. Most of gilt wash is now absent, but this gives it an attractive patina. Scarce.

Corbett p185 refers.

A6.1

Code: 57053Price: 85.00 GBP

New Zealand - WW1 B9 Reinforcements Detachment Brass Cap Badge

Brass two part construction badge with two original brass loops to the reverse. Circa 3.6cm tall and wide. In very good condition. Possibly worn on Cap and collar.

Depicted in Corbett on page 176.

B13.9

Code: 57015Price:

WW1 New Zealand Expeditionay Force - 18th Reinforcements Brass Cap Badge

A good die stamped brass example with wo original hexagonal lugs to the reverse (as typical of this series). Circa 5.1cm wide and 4.1cm tall. Good condition and scarce.

Corbett p181 refers.

A6.2

Code: 55603Price: 85.00 GBP

Scarce WW1 21st New Zealand Reinforcements to the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force Brass Cap Badge

Artistically for me at least the most attractively designed badge of the series. The use of the tail feathers to spell out New Zealand was simply inspired. With two original hexagonal lugs (as typical of this series). Good sharp detail and circa 3.2cm tall and 5cm wide. The collar badges were of a different design.

Corbett Page 182 refers.

Code: 54569Price: