WAR BADGES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 134, 23 February 1918, Page 8

WAR BADGES

FOR DISCHARGED SOLDIERS KING'S DECORATION TO BE USED A special general order is being issued by Defence Headquarters ffosifying the intended issue of the King's silver war badge and King's certificate of discharge to discharged soldiers who have served in the present war. Sufficient silver badges have just been received for issue to every discharged soldier at present in New Zealand, and their, issue will commence from March 1 next. The badge is undoubtedly a fine one, being specially notable for the simplicity and neatness of its design. The. size of a half-crown, it takes the form of the Imperial oipher (letters G.R.I, surmounted by a crown) pierced within a circle. The circle bears the words "For King and Empires-Services Rendered." Each badge will have a serial number. The full text of the general order sotting out the governing conditions is as follows:--Tha > Qualifications Nccossary 1. His Majesty the King has opproved of the issue of a silver war badge to officers and men of the British, Indian, and Overseas Forces, who have served since August 4, 1914, and who comply with the regulations accompanying tho issue ot such badge. 2. The badge will be in the form ol the Imperial cipher, pierced within a circle; the circle bears the words 'TFcr King and Empire, services rendered." Each badge will bear a serial number. 3. The badge will be woriv with plain clothes only, on the right breast or 011 tho right lapel of the jacket. _ 4. Qualifications: The following uiembet ft who have served with the Torces since August 4, 1914, will be eligible to make application for and wear, tho Silver War Badge:— (a) Service Overseas.—(l) Officers: All officers who have served overseas as above, and who have, on return to Now Zealand, neen gazetted out of the Forces on account of old age, wounds, or illness, provided that their disabilities are not tho result of their own actions or misconduct. (2) Members of the N.Z.A.N.S. as in (1). (3) N.c.o.'s and men: N.c.o.'s and men of the Forces who have been discharged on account of old age. wounds, or illness, provided such disabilities are not the result of their own actions or misconduct. (b) Service at Home.—Officers, members of the N.Z.A.N.S., n.c.o.'s, and men who have served in New Zealand for a period of not less than six months, and who havo bpen gazetted out of the Forces, discharged, or reverted to civil life, on account of beinu; over age. .or permanently unfit for further military service, provided that, their disabilities.have not been tie result of their own actions or misconduct. '(c) General.—Persons whose claims are not covered by the above regulations will be eligible, to receive tho Silver War P,adgo at the discretion of the Commandant, after reference, if necessary to the Army Council in England. Method of Application. 5. In cases of ihoso coming within paragraph 4, Section A. above, avd who nave been gazetted out of the Forces or discharged prior to J'el niary 101S, application must be made in writing'to the Director of_Base licoords, Wellington. Such application must show the applicant's number, rank, name, and unit. (b) In cases of those officers and others coming within paragraph 4, section A, above, who are to be gazetted out of the Forces nr discharged subsequent to • February 28, 1918, no application will be necessary. The liaugo will be issued automatically and will be posted so as to rench tho officer, etc., on or about the date on which he (or she) is to be struck off the strength or discharged. (c) In cases of applicants coming within paragraph 4, section B, above, applications will be made by letter addressed Nto the Director of Recruiting, who v.\?l forward such application to the Director of Base Records, together with such papers necessary to ' show the applicant's eligibility to receive the badge. (d) In cases of applicants coining within paragraph 4, section fabove, applications will be made to the Director of Base Records.

G. Issue.—The silver war badge will be issued by tho Director of Bass Records to those entitled to it oti the terms in these regulations, but bo will not issue such a badge until lie has received a receipt, signed 611 the proper form, by the officer or other person entitled to receive the badge. The bntige will be dispatched by registered post immediately upon such receipt being received, or in the case of officer; or others to be gazetted out or discharged subsequent to February 18, 1918, will be posted to reach such officer or other person 011 or- about tho date on which he' (or she) is to be gazetted out or discharged. 7. Inquiries.—All inquiries 'in connection with the issue of the silver war badge should ho made either personally or by letter addressed to the Director of Base Records, Wellington. Card of Authority to wear. 8. A card of authority to wear will be issued with the silver war badge. This card will contain the number, rank and name of the officer or other person entitled to wear the badge, and will state that he or she is so ; entitled. I ,Vhen' wearing the badge this card of authority must always be carried, and must, bo produced when required by any member of the military polite, or other authorised person. 'It must be understood that the retention of the card is essential in order to show that the wearer has been properly issued with the badge, and is entitled to wear it.

9. Prompt Return of Receipt —In order to facilitate, the heavy clerical work that will be entailed hv the issue of this badpe, it is requested that the roccipt forms when posted to those entitled to the bndege will be immediately returned, carefully completed.

1(1. C'ns°s of Doubt;— All cases not coming within these regulations, or any points of doubt which may arise in connection with the issue of the silver wn.r will b« considered by tho Director of Base Records.' and referred bv him if necessary to higher authority. If a satisfactory decision cannot be arrived ill; ilm question will be submitted by the Commandant to the Army Council, London, for decision.