SILVER WAR BADGE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 31 March 1919, Page 4

SILVER WAR BADGE.

not a MILITARY MEDAL. A good deal of misapprehension has arisen, over the round silver war badge which many New Zealanders are wear- ' ing. Returning soldiers., who will in duo course get the official commemorative war medal after peace -is signed, -may ask why they should have to wait for t’aftlr medal when other? are already Wearing, a distinction. .But the import- ' ant fact is that this round medal is in no sense a military distinction, but more properly a .badge of exemption, an improvement upon the arm badges which were oneo worn , in the Dominion. ■ The principal underlying the issue of the silver war badge is that this award is for those only who have been compelled to relinquish their appointments with the armed forces of the Crown on aocount, of old age, wounds, or sickness, the disability being such as to render them permanently ami totally disabled for further military, service. These men have, placed themselves at the disposal of the military authorities, they have not been able to continue to render sendee in the fighting line, and they are entitled to something which would distinguish them,' •when in civilian clothes during war time and the operation of compulsory, military service, .from those civilians who had not rendered service. Now. the war is over the real value of the badge lias ceased, though the owner continues to wear it as ail indication K that he, at any rate, tried to do what he could for the defence, of his conn !r '-' '