Military Insignia - Corps of New Zealand Engineers | Collections Online

item details

NameMilitary Insignia - Corps of New Zealand Engineers

ProductionUnknown; manufacturer(s); 1914-1918; New Zealand

Classificationbadges, insignias

Materialsbrass

DimensionsOverall: 33mm (width), 39mm (height), 12mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH025610

Credit lineGift of Marianne Abraham in memory of T. Wyville Rutherfurd, McKenzie Gibson, Frances and Dorothy Broad, 2019

Overview

This badge is the military insignia of the Corps of New Zealand Engineers, and belonged to Captain Thomas Wyville Leonard Rutherfurd (1890-1918).

The badge was worn on the uniform collar. The design bears legend 'Quo fas et gloria ducant' (Whither right and glory lead), surmounted by a crown and lion.

Captain Rutherfurd (Service Number 6/718) was known to family and friends as Wyville. In 1915 he was severely wounded on Gallipoli, but was able to serve in the trenches in France. In 1917, he received the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty'. In early 1918, he went with a unit of experienced soldiers to Persia (Iran). In October 1918, he died from disease aggravated by military service, which may been influenza. He was later buried in the British Military Cemetery in Tehran.

This badge was among a group of personal effects returned following Wyville's death. The items were given to his fiancé, Dorothy Broad, for whom they held great significance as personalised memorials for private consolation. They are now held in Te Papa's collections.