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Overview
The 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles Regiment was formed in 1911 as additional regiment of Mounted Rifles in the Otago Military District.
The Regiment's badge takes the form of a stag’s head, symbolising strength, determination, alertness, and readiness to defend one’s territory, with the motto ‘For King and Country’.
The Regiment first submitted a proposed design for the badge in July 1911. This design featured a fallow deer, but Lt.-General Godley responded that he would approve the design, subject to the substitution of a red deer's head, which he considered 'would be much nicer and more appropriate'. Lt-Colonel G.H. Stewart, the Regiment's Commanding Officer, protested this ruling. He wrote to District HQ in Dunedin on 15 August that ' I notice that the General Officer Commanding conisders that it would be wiser and more appropriate to substitute a red deer's head for the fallow. I would respectfully point out that the Blue Mountains which run right through the centre of this regimental district are a fallow deer forest & that nearly all the men in the regiment are in the habit of stalking these animals. These deer are thus much more a district association. I respectfully submit this for consideration.'
Stewart's protest was accepted. On 21 August Captain H.H. Browne of District H.Q. replied giving approval for the 'retention of a fallow deer's head' on the Regiment's insignia.