item details
NameMilitary Insignia - 5th (Otago) Mounted Rifles - 1st Regiment.
ProductionUnknown; manufacturer(s); 1911-1912
Classificationinsignias, badges
Materialsbrass, white metal
DimensionsOverall: 126mm (width), 11mm (height), 126mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH021073
Credit lineGift of Mr M Buist & Miss H Buist, 1963
Overview
The 5th Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars) were formed in 1911 from various mounted Volunteer units in Dunedin and North Otago.
The unit's insignia features the coat of arms of Colonel Joseph Cowie Nichols, a notable North Otago runholder who was their first commanding officer. The crown represents loyalty to the monarch and the fern leaves symbolise New Zealand.
The Latin motto 'Es fidelis' means ‘Be faithful’.
This insignia belonged to Albert Charles Buist, who was a member of the 5th Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars) from 1 March 1911 to 10 March 1912.