Cap and collar badges, 33rd Reinforcements to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force

item details

NameCap and collar badges, 33rd Reinforcements to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force

ProductionUnknown; manufacturer(s); 1917

Classificationinsignias, badges

Materialsmetal

DimensionsOverall: 176mm (width), 9mm (height), 75mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH021128

Overview

These badges were worn by the 33rd Reinforcements to the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force who departed New Zealand on 31 December 1917 during the First World War (1914-19). The cap badge features three Huia bird feathers and the motto ‘Huia Tatau’ (let us band together). The badges were struck in either brass or bronze, normally blackened, with superimposed white metal on the tips of the feathers. The fern leaf badges with the number ‘33’ were worn on collars, and were also normally blackened.

Such Reinforcement badges were unofficial – soldiers ordered and bought them from local badge makers and jewellers. Iconography included native birds, Māori warriors and waka. They could only be worn in New Zealand and on the troop ships. Once soldiers arrived in Britain, their badges were taken away, and not replaced until they were posted to a unit.