Distinguishing patch, New Zealand Army

item details

NameDistinguishing patch, New Zealand Army

ProductionUnknown; 1914-1918; New Zealand

Classificationpatches

Materialscloth

Materials Summaryhandsewn onto piece of woollen cloth

Techniquesmachine sewing

DimensionsOverall: 70mm (height), 80mm (length)

Registration NumberGH016806

Credit lineGift of Marianne Abraham, 2010

Overview

Returned effects

This piece of woollen khaki fabric is from the uniform of Captain Thomas Wyville Leonard Rutherfurd (Service Number 6/718), who was known to family and friends as Wyville. It was amongst a group of personal effects returned following his death from pneumonia in Tehran, October 1918. The items were given to Wyville’s fiancée, Dorothy Broad, for whom they held great significance as personalised memorials for private consolation.

The 'distinguishing patch' is the New Zealand Army term for a cloth patch that identifies a unit of formation. This distinguishing patch identifies the wearer as a member of the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 2nd New Zealand Brigade. It was worn on service dress tunics and greatcoats on the back immediately below the collar.