item details
Overview
This unit's cap badge is on display at Te Papa in Gallipoli: The scale of our war.
The 17th (Ruahine) Regiment was formed in 1914 as the renamed 2nd Battalion, 9th (Hawke’s Bay) Regiment.
Its members served on Gallipoli as part of the Wellington Infantry Battalion.
The badge shows a five-pointed star (exact meaning uncertain) and fern leaves symbolising New Zealand.
Design
The design for this badge was submitted on 8 July 1914 to Colonel E W C Chaytor, Commanding Officer Wellington Infantry Brigade, Palmerston North by Lieutenant Colonel A B Charters, Commanding Officer, 17th (Ruahine) Regiment, Masterton. The design was approved by Major-General Godley on 14 July 1914.
Colonel Chaytor was anxious to receive Godley's approval as he wished to place an order for the manufacture of the badges 'with a Home [British] firm as early as possible.' However it is possible that due to the outbreak of war, the 17th's badges had to be manufactured in New Zealand.
The badge was jokingly called the ‘Starfish and Seaweed’ by some members of the Regiment.