The Badge

For 90 years the RSA Badge has been one of the most recognisable symbols in New Zealand.

The wearing of the badge by members is an expression of their pride in belonging to the RSA. The badge no less signals today, as the NZRSA's publication Quick March declared in 1921, "that the wearer is one of a comradeship banded together for the aiding of all returned soldiers who need assistance".

The "Big Badge"

	Returned Soldiers' Association Badge

It was the founder and inaugural President of the NZRSA, Donald Simson, who first floated the idea of a universal badge a few days before the foundation conference; he envisaged a circular design, complete with each member's regimental number and district, and worn on the right lapel. At the foundation conference, a number of the delegates already wore the badges of their own associations, such as those from Dunedin who wore the Anzac Club badge. The delegates accepted the wisdom of a universal badge, although the decision of the design and who would produce the badge was left to the Dominion Executive Committee to finalise over the following months.

The Wellington firm of Mayer and Kean eventually was given the tender to produce the badge in December 1916. It signaled the beginning of a long relationship between the RNZRSA and Mayer and Kean (now Mayer & Toye), one that continues today. The silver badge (with the "MK" silver mark) was over twice the size of the present badge, and recollections of the early years of the RSA universally come back to the "Big Badge". As for the design, the Crown represents the RSA's loyalty to the Crown. The decision to wear the badge on the right lapel was influenced by the fact that military decorations have traditionally been worn on the left chest. The badge was greatly preferred to the red armband the Government had authorised returned men to wear.

From the outset, the badge remained the property of the NZRSA and could only be worn officially if a member was financial.

In February 1918, the contract changed to C.M. Bay and these badges (with the "CB" mark) had a slightly larger crown as well as larger panel for the service number, together with a ring for a safety chain lest one should loose this important status symbol in postwar New Zealand society. In fact, the RSA lobbied the Government to obtain legal protection for the badge in order to prevent unscrupulous phony non-returned men wearing the badge for their own advantage. Protection for the Badge was finally secured by Order-in-Council on 27 May 1919.

Badge in Gold and Life Membership

	The current Badge in Gold

The Badge in Gold and Life Membership of the NZRSA was instituted in 1920, with HRH Prince of Wales (later HM King Edward VIII) being the first recipient. Since then the list of distinguished recipients have grown to include another future monarch (HM King George VI), Governors-General, British and New Zealand Prime Ministers, famous military commanders as well as many RSA members who have rendered signal service to the Association and the veteran community. Whether prince, prime minister or private, the criteria was first returned service.

Reduction in size but not status

The desire by the RSA to regain control over who wore the badge was one of the reasons behind the decision to issue a new badge in 1927. In fact, the design remained the same but the new badge was three-eighths the size of the original badge. The main objective was to prevent lapsed members from continuing to wear the badge without paying their "subs". It was also felt that the new badge would be more popular because it was less obtrusive, encouraging members to wear it on a daily basis. It seems that as a result of the low ebb of the RSA during the 1920s that members had become lax about wearing their badges or even reluctant to do so. Throughout the 1930s each issue of the Review carried the reminder "WEAR YOUR BADGE", and occasionally, for the benefit of new or returning members out of practice, fuller reminders about how it should be worn on the right-hand lapel. The RSA's promotion of the badge in this manner was an early example of "brand recognition".

Second World War

	Returned Services' Association Badge, 1940s

From November 1941, the badge reflected the decision to change the name of the Association from "Returned Soldiers' Association" to "Returned Services' Association". While a significant change for the organisation, in terms of design it was minimal because "Soldiers" and "Services" both contained the same number of letters (8).

 

	RSA Women's Section Badge

Women's Section

The newly formed Women's Sections also received their distinctive oval badge during the 1940s.

The Badge Date Attachment System

	Returned Services' Association Badge, with the date attachment for 1946/47

From 1940 the badge was also adorned with a coloured date attachment, fitted over the crown, and changed annually to indicate that the wearer was up-to-date with his or her subscription (an innovation borrowed from the Returned Sailors & Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia where it has been noticed during the visit to Sydney by the 1300-strong RSA Contingent for Anzac Day 1938).

The Badge Date Attachment system ensured that the RSA reaped maximum benefit from the postwar boom in membership, including the return of returned soldiers of the First World War who had flocked back to the Association in large numbers during the Second World War.

During the Royal Tour of 1953-54, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prime Minister Sidney Holland, both returned men, engaged in a private competition to see how many RSA members were not up-to-date with their subscriptions.

	The current Returned Services' Association Badge

The Crown on the RSA Badge was also later changed to reflect the accession to the throne of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The Badge Date Attachment system continued until 1997.

New Badges

With the introduction of Service members and Club/House members in the late 1970s came the need for the introduction of new badges. The most recent badge, introduced in 1998, is that worn by Associate members and combines the insignia of all three Services.

Service Member Badge		Associate Member Badge

All badges remain the property of the RNZRSA and can only be worn officially if a member is financial.

Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association

The logo of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association is that of the Association as a whole and is worn by NEC members only.

Source: RNZRSA Historian Dr Stephen Clarke