Badge in Gold for Unknown Warrior

	Left to Right: Life Member Alan Johnston, National President John Campbell and National Vice-President Larry Boyle pay their respects.

The Address by the Immediate Past President of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, Mr David Cox MBE, on the occasion of the presentation of the Badge in Gold to the Unknown Warrior, Legislative Council Chamber, 10 November 2004.

"The Badge in Gold is the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s most prestigious Award. It can only be granted by RSA delegates from around the country, meeting as the National Council, on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee.

At this year’s National Council meeting, delegates unanimously awarded the Badge in Gold to New Zealand's Unknown Warrior, and, on this unique occasion, in the form of the original Badge of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association.

The Badge in Gold was instituted in 1920 with the first recipient being His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, and significantly, the presentation was conducted in this very Chamber.

Since that time the list of recipients has grown to include Monarchs, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Military Commanders and RSA rank and file members who have selflessly dedicated their lives to the Association and the well-being of the veteran community in general.

There are currently six living holders of the Badge in Gold - four of whom are here today.

Most importantly, however, the prerequisite for consideration for this award has been returned service.

The Badge in Gold is a fitting tribute because the Unknown Warrior paid the ultimate price for his service and now he is finally returned.

In the Association’s 88-year history, the Unknown Warrior is the 60th and the first posthumous recipient of the Badge in Gold. It is also the most significant, because it is awarded in remembrance of all those New Zealand servicemen and women who died in foreign lands, in the service of their country, and did not return.

It is my great honour, on behalf of all RSA members, to present our Badge in Gold to you — our Unknown Warrior.

You are now one of us — WELCOME HOME."

RNZRSA acknowledges Oceana Gold Limited as well as Newmont Waihi Gold Ltd for their generous donations of gold and the assistance of Mayer & Toye.