This ia a collar dog for the 16th Waikato Infantry Regiment, dating to WW1. Raised in 1915 and sent to Egypt and then Gallipoli, the 16th Waikato was slaughtered at Chunik Bair.
Yeah that’s right, pride. Meh, jingoism dates poorly
Archive for WW1
16th Waikato Regiment Collar Dog
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 5, 2013 by The DudeWW1 New Zealand Army Tunic Buttons
Posted in Accessories with tags Buttons, New Zealand, WW1 on June 5, 2013 by The DudeThese are a pair of WW1 era New Zealand Forces tunic buttons. One of these is an infantry button and one is from an artillery uniform. They are both manufactured by Gaunt of London.
4th Otago Regiment Cap Badge
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 4, 2013 by The DudeThis cap badge is for the 4th Otago Rifles. The badge has the battle honour “South Africa 1901-1902” making it a pre WW1 2nd pattern badge.
The history of the 4th Battalion (Otago and Southland) Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment can be traced back to February 1860 when the Dunedin and Invercargill Militia Battalions were established. The militiamen of the day were not volunteer soldiers as all males between the age of 18 and 60 were liable for military service at that time. In 1861 the Tokomairiro and Clutha Battalions were formed. Local enthusiasm was not enough to gain Government recognition so volunteer soldiering was conducted on a quasi-official manner for some time. The first officially recognised volunteer unit in the Otago and Southland provinces was the Otago Rifle Volunteers, which was gazetted as a Company on 5th February 1862. In 1898 the 1st Battalion Otago Rifle Volunteers was established. The formation of this unit apparently stimulated further public interest as by 1892 the Battalion consisted of fifteen Rifle Companies.
During World War I the provinces produced the Otago Regiment with companies from the 4th Otago, 8th Southland, 10th North Otago and 20th South Otago battalions. The Otago Regiment served with distinction in Gallipoli and France taking particularly heavy losses in the battle of Passchendaele. New Zealand’s most decorated soldier ever, Sgt Dick Travis earned his VC and other medals serving with the Otago Regiment.
North Otago Rifles Regiment Cap Badge
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 3, 2013 by The DudeThis is a WW1 period cap badge for the 10th North Otago Rifles Regiment. This regiment was raised in 1911, served in Gallipoli and France and was disbanded in 1921. There were no collar dogs for this regiment, the cap badge was used on the collar.
11th North Auckland Mounted Rifles Cap & Collar Badges
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 2, 2013 by The DudeThese are WW1 era cap and collar badges for the 11th North Auckland Mounted Rifles. These are either right hand collar badges or cap badges as they were made facing the same way. The left hand collar badge faces the other direction. This makes these ones twice as common as the left hand one if you get my drift.
I am drawn to these badges primarily because my maternal grandfather served in this regiment.
The 11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles was formed on 17 March 1911. They were mobilised during World War I as a squadron of the Auckland Mounted Rifle Regiment. They served in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I and first saw action during the Battle of Gallipoli. As a part of the larger New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (of the Anzac Mounted Division) they went on to serve in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Shoulder Titles
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 1, 2013 by The DudeThese three shoulder titles are from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. They probably date from WW1.
The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, consisting usually of four units of mounted infantry, fought in World War I and World War II. Initially a milita, under the instruction of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Henry Banks they formed the core of the New Zealand Army following successful service in the Boer Wars. During World War I, it was a part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the Gallipoli Campaign serving in the New Zealand and Australian Division.
The brigade also served in the Anzac Mounted Division during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. Throughout this campaign the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade consisted of the Auckland Mounted Rifle, the Canterbury Mounted Rifle and the Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiments. The Otago Mounted Rifle Regiment was sent to Europe and served on the Western Front before the Sinai and Palestine Campaign began. After World War I demobilisation the brigade ceased to exist in 1944 when individual units were absorbed into other regiments.
WW1 15th Northland Regiment Cap & Collar Badge Pair
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on June 1, 2013 by The DudeThis is a World War 1 era cap & collar badge pair for the 15th Northland Regiment.
WW1 Taranaki Rifle Regiment Cap Badge
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags Gallipoli, New Zealand, New Zealand Wars, WW1 on June 1, 2013 by The DudeThis is a World War 1 era cap badge for the 11th Taranaki Rifles. This regiment is almost unique in that it is one of only two regiments in the Commonwealth that has its own country as one of its battle honours.
1st Regiment Canterbury Cap and Collar Badge Set
Posted in Cap Badges, Collar Dogs and Shoulder Titles with tags New Zealand, WW1 on May 19, 2013 by The DudeThis is a full set of cap and collar badges for the New Zealand 1st Canterbury Regiment. These badges date from WW1. This regiment fought first in Palestine & Egypt, moved to Gallipoli in 1915 and then the Somme in 1916. It fought on in France until 1918.
1914-1918 Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm Device
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Valour Medals with tags France, WW1 on May 14, 2013 by The Dude
The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (War Cross 1914–1918) is a French military decoration. It was created to recognize French and allied soldiers who were cited for their service during World War I, similar to the British Mentioned in Despatches. The bronze palm on this one indicates the recipient was mentioned at Army level.
Fire Cross 1914–1918
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW1 on April 24, 2013 by The Dude
This is the “Croix du Feu 1914–1918″. It was awarded to all Belgian soldiers of the First World War who actually served under fire in the frontline trenches. It is also one of my favourite medals simply because of it’s beautiful design elements.
A Single to a Birchall Who Habitually Lost His Medals
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 24, 2013 by The Dude
This single British War Medal belongs to Thomas Birchall. It is impressed to 11114 T.Birchall N. Staffs. Ex-Private Birchall seemed to be in the habit of losing his medals since his Victory Medal was reported lost in 1922. The police subsequently found and handed in his lost medal which was returned to him.
A Birchall Single from the ASC
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis British War Medal belonged to John H. Birchall. It is impressed to DM2-208049 Pte J.H.Birchall A.S.C. John Henry Birchall was a sanitary worker in civilian life and enlisted on the 5th of June 1915. He served in the Motor Corps.
A Birchall Casualty sent to Gallipoli and Retired Unfit in WW1
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Gallipoli, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis single is a 1914-1915 Star belonging to William Birchall. It is impressed to 20177 Pte. W. Birchall Essex R. William deployed to the Balkans on the 19th of September 1915. He was discharged on the 30th of March 1917 under category 16, “No longer fit for war service”, in this case because of wounds. William was also entitled to the Silver Wound Badge 152379.
Update: I found his Victory Medal in the UK, 4 years later!
A Birchall Officer Single, Promoted From the Ranks
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis is an orphan medal for 2nd Lieutenant George Birchall. This medal single is impressed for 21176 2 Lieut. G Birchall H.Light.Inf. He enlisted as a Private soldier in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was transferred to the Highland Light Infantry as a Corporal and then promoted from the ranks to Temporary 2nd Lieutenant and then confirmed as 2nd Lieutenant.
He was removed from the suspense list and then placed on the retired list on the 20th of October 1921. In the meantime he had reenlisted in the Royal Scottish Rifles as a Private on the 1st of December 1919. His new Regt. Number was 3122424. Why would someone reenlist in the army having survived WW1?
A Birchall Sapper in World War One
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis group is for Sapper Thomas Birchall of the Royal Engineers. The medals are impressed to 125581 Spr T.Birchall R.E. Thomas was from Wigan and was a shoe and boot repairer before the war.
A Birchall Group in the Lancashire Fusiliers
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis Group is for Joseph Birchall. He served in the Lancashire Fusiliers and enlisted on the 11th of November, 1915. The medal is named to 202627 Pte J.Birchall Lan.Fus. John enlisted on the 11th of December 1915. He was discharged in 1919 due to injury.
A Birchall Group for the Royal Field Artillery in France 1915
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 23, 2013 by The DudeThis group is named for Leonard Birchall. It is stamped 94017 Gnr L.Birchall R.A. He was a clerk from Middlesex according to his attestation papers.
A First World War Merchantile Marine Medal to Birchall
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Maritime Medals, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 22, 2013 by The DudeAwarded to anyone who sailed through one of the “war zones” in World War One, this medal is named to Frederick J. Birchall. Frederick James Birchall came from Liverpool.
A Birchall Casualty from Arras, France, May 1917
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Arras, Family Groups and Singles, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis is the WW1 group for Benjamin Lawrence Birchall, who died of wounds at the 37th Casualty Clearing Station at Avesnes-le-Comte on the 11th of May, 1917. He was a Gunner for the Royal Field Artillery and was in the 17th Division Ammunition Column at the time of his wounding. Each medal is stamped 76646 L.Birchall RA.
He was the son of Benjamin R. Birchall and Elizabeth A. Birchall of Drummany, Sterlogan Park, Blackrock, Dublin. His death penny is named Lawrence Birchall.
The final photo is of the Avesnes-le-Comte Communal Extension Cematary where he is buried.
Swiss West End Watch Co Trench Watch.
Posted in Timepieces with tags Trenches, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 21, 2013 by The DudeThis watch, by West End Watch Company, is a “Silidar” model, near the top end. It has an enamel face which dates it to prior to WW2. The watch case is the classic trench watch type, raised.
A Birchall Casualty Group from Passchendaele
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Passchendaele, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 18, 2013 by The DudePublished in the Reporter 6th October 1917.
BARDSLEY SOLDIER. Sgt-Major W. Birchall Dies from Wounds. It was with much regret that the people in Bardsley learned this week that 350051 Sergeant-Major WILLIAM BIRCHALL, Manchester Regiment, T.F. C Coy 1/9th battalion, had passed away as the result of wounds received whilst serving with the forces in France. News that he had been wounded in the right leg came through to his wife and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Birchall, of Bardsley, last week, and on Wednesday morning of this week a letter came from the Rev. G.M.Wheeler, Church of England chaplain, stating that he never recovered from his collapse, and passed peacefully away to his rest and reward.
By all who knew him in Bardsley, Sergeant-Major BIRCHALL was respected and beloved for his kindliness and ever present desire to do a good turn to anyone in need of it. He joined the Volunteers 17 years ago. He visited New Zealand after his sister’s death, which took place at her uncle’s in Dunedin, and whilst he was away he joined the Dunedin City Guards. He was away rather over 12 months, and on his return he entered the Territorials. He was colour-sergeant when they were called up for service in August 1914, and went to Egypt and the Dardanelles [He landed at Gallipoli 9th May 1915].
During that campaign he was slightly wounded in the chest. Later he came to France. He was there wounded in the neck by a piece of shell, and on recovery rejoined his regiment, and removed with them to Belgium, where he was wounded on the 16th September, sustaining a compound fracture of the right leg. He died on the 25th September, and was buried in the military cemetery near the clearing station by the Church of England chaplain, Re. G.M. Wheeler.
He was 36 years old. The family are associated with Bardsley Church and School, and are much asteemed in the village. He leaves a wife, Mrs Edith Birchall, of 27, Ann St, Roslyn, Dunedin, New Zealand, and two children, a boy and a girl. (William Birchall is buried in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery pictured below).
William’s gravestone
A Birchall Military Medal Group from the Somme
Posted in Family Groups & Singles, Valour Medals with tags Family Groups and Singles, Somme, United Kingdom, WW1 on April 18, 2013 by The DudeThis Military Medal was awarded to Richard Burchell R.F.A. service number 686, gazetted 21st October 1918. He was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. The rank on the Military Medal is Acting Lance Bombadier while on his medal card it shows it as the obsolete rank of Lance Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal for actions including driving shells up to the guns while under direct fire from German artillery. According to his records he was reduced in rank in May 1917 after being AWOL for 3 days. Court martialled and sentenced to Field Punishment Number 2 and ordered to forfeit a weeks pay. Apparently after being wounded at Beaumont Hamel he was evacuated to a base hospital and returned to the line on October 5th 1916. He was lucky not to forfeit the Military Medal. His Territorial Service Medal shows his movement to the Royal Artillery and his peacetime rank of driver.
1914-15 Star
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals with tags United Kingdom, WW1 on December 21, 2009 by The DudeThe 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.
The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 (other than those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star).
Recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Some 2,366,000 were issued, including: 283,500 to the Royal Navy & 71,150 to Canadians.
I have a few of these in groups but also one orphan, 9078 Spr. L.Edmunds R.E.
Kiwi Medals 