R.S.A. BADGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 38, 15 February 1939, Page 6

R.S.A. BADGE

INCREASING USE BEING MADE OF IT THE DRIFT OF YEARS It is evident, particularly in the major centres of the Dominion, notably Wellington, that returned soldiers are making fuller use of the R.S.A. badge. It is anticipated that the increasing tendency to wear it will develop rapidly in Wanganui. A surprising number of men in Wellington are wearing the badge. A “Chronicle” reporter who made a study of the matter saw in one day a banker, a journalist, the head of the merchandise department of a big New Zealand firn , a shop assistant and several labourers, all of whom had the small size badge pinned on. The manager of the merchandise department, when asked as to whether he had noticed an increasing display of the badge, said he had and he thought it a splendid thing. Asked to account for it he said that he supposed it was the gradual drift away from the war years and the increasing desire of men who had served with the New Zealand forces to once more renew the comradeship of those years. Another view was expressed by the journalist. “The troubles in Europe have a bearing on it,” he said. “This country is in need of defence and a constant reminder to some of us that there is still a strong army of men who know full well the meaning of war and how imperative it is to be prepared, I think, is influencing returned soldiers more and more to wear their badges.” When the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was first, formed the badge was used extensively, practically every man who came back

from overseas wearing it. As civilian life absorbed them, however, and people were anxious to forget war, the men drifted apart and forgot everything which pertained to the old army life. With the passing of years, however, returned soldiers have shown a desire to renew more strongly than ever the comradeship of the battlefield. This has manifested itself in greater attendances at regimental reunions and received quite an impetus last Anzac Day, when a strong contingent of New Zealanders made a pilgrimage to Sydney to build anew the name of “Anzac.” Now, it would seem, the ever-increasing desire of returned soldiers to be together is showing itself in the wider appearance of the badge. Originally, the badge was rather a cumbersome affair, but the modern design, small and neat, is more inviting and it retains the full sentimental value of the original. “It is encouraging to hear that the badge is being worn more fully,” said Mr. W. H. Cannan, president of the Wanganui Returned Soldiers’ Association yesterday, when the matter was referred to him. “The practice is growing in Wanganui, and is probably the natural outcome of the greater attendances of ‘Diggers’ at Anzac Day parades and at reunions. There is so much to be learnt, from the last war to preserve peace and maintain defence. I hope that every man who is qualified to wear the badge will join the association and wear it.” The badge is available to all men who belong to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association and it Is predicted in Wellington that, within a year, 90 per cent, of those who are qualified to wear do so.