item details
NameMilitary hatband
ProductionUnknown; 1914-1919
Classificationhatbands
Materialswool
DimensionsOverall: 60mm (width), 290mm (length)
Registration NumberGH018202
Credit lineGift of Cameron Stichbury, 2017
Overview
This band, known as a puggaree, encircled the crown of a hat where it meets the brim. This one indicates the wearer was an infantryman, and was probably worn by Aucklander Vincent Stichbury who served in the Auckland Infantry Battalion on Gallipoli and then in England. This is one of the many interchangeable or removable textile and metal pieces attached or sewn onto a WWI soldier's uniform, to encode and indicate his rank, specialty, unit, length of service etc.
Papers and photographs related to Vincent Stichbury's war service are held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington (MS-Group-2185 and PA-Coll-000858).