Beret Badges of the Māori Battalion

Over the course of two World Wars, a number of beret badges were in use by the Māori Pioneers and the Māori  Battalion. 

WWI Māori Battalion 

A WWI A Company Māori Pioneer badge.  The A Company were made up of predominantly Northern Māori and they never wore ornaments into battle - so they removed the necklace on their badges too.  If you look closely, you can see where it has been neatly removed.

The original badge, with necklace.

The Cook Island Company was formed from Pacific Islanders who joined the Māori Pioneer Battalion, but there is doubt that this badge was ever worn in WWI. It was certainly worn by the Rarotongan Home Guard in WW2.

The WWII "Onward" beret badge.