TOPIC:

Hi,

This is the Boer War Veterans' Association badge as you state and was made by a Wellington, NZ, firm called Mayer & Kean. They exist in bronze (like this one), silver and gold (Winston Churchill is said to have been presented with such a badge). They can also be found with a tiny little fernleaf in gold or silver riveted to the tip of the badge. This indicates a "merit" award I believe.

From what I've found out there seem to have been many different badges in use by the NZ associations and I suspect that a lot of them were based on regional rivalries. Nothing new here. I will try and post a photo of some of the badges that I have and you will get the idea!

Hi all,

Here is a selection of the badges that were worn by our NZ Boer War Veterans. The small badge was probably adopted by the Wellington association and was derided as the "threepenny bit" whereas the large fernleaf was very likely for that of the Auckland group and was referred to as a "breastplate" in the journal of the time because of its size.

Note that one fernleaf badge has had the die to strike it altered and the word "WAR" incorporated. Without concrete proof, we think that it was to distinguish the members from supporters of the South African sporting teams who were touring in the 1920s in NZ.

I've also included an Australian badge as well as what I think is a Canadian one but would welcome any suggestions.




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One final point: the fernleaf with the attractive blue enamel is possibly from the South Island as the two or three examples seen to date have all turned up in Christchurch, NZ. This one has the number "6" crudely engraved to the reverse.

Not also that the badges can be either right of left facing. There was maybe a "hidden message" in this aspect too!

Hi,

A very interesting badge. If I may be allowed to make a comment about its quality, it has a slightly less than perfect appearance, indicative of a maker who was not "among the greats". Therefore I would suggest that it is the work of a local jeweller/ badgemaker and that the "1950" is indeed the date of issue. The possible local link does therefore lead to the likelihood that it is a regional badge.

None of the above detracts from its rarity and I would be more than pleased to own it!

The above comments posted by New Zealand Hill refer to the badge shown below.

Trev wrote: Hi,

Here is an example of a Boer War, South African War Veterans Association, Ladies Badge which was previously up for auction on a popular online auction site. The badge is numbered 1950, then again this could also be the year of issue. This example of a veteran badge for the ladies auxiliary sold for £65 in the past few days.

The design of this badge had me thinking, with the castle and turrets motif, could this badge be more relatable to one of the Regiments which also carry this in their pattern of badge.

Trev

Interested members
Attached is a pic of two SASA lapel badges together with a "tinny" badge and an official attendance (?) tag. Also attached is a pic of the back of the SASA lapel badges (one has the slider broken off unfortunately). Note that the bottom example is marked AMOR SYDNEY; a well known local firm.


These items came with QSA medals to a Father and Son in the South Australian Bushmen and other memorabilia.
Regards
IL