Supply and Administrative Units

Page 2 – Army Service Corps

ASC troops preparing meal
ASC troops preparing meal

The Army Service Corps was the NZEF’s supply and transport branch, providing food, equipment and ammunition, and helping evacuate the wounded. The Corps collected goods from central depots, transported it to the front lines, and distributed it amongst the various units.

The ASC was made up of companies attached to each infantry brigade and several stand-alone units. Collectively these companies formed the ‘Divisional Train’ or supply column, along with the ASC headquarters. From March 1916 New Zealand also contributed five base depots which formed a link in the greater supply chain across France. 

Army Service Corps units, August 1914–Mar 1916

NameUnit attached toCampaignsDatesFurther information
No. 1 Company ASCHeadquarters, New Zealand & Australian Divisional TrainGallipoli, 1915Aug 1914–Mar 1916Unit diaries at Australian War Memorial
No. 2 Company ASCNew Zealand Infantry BrigadeGallipoli, 1915Dec 1914–Mar 1916 
No. 3 Company ASCNew Zealand Mounted Rifles BrigadeGallipoli, 1915Dec 1914–Mar 1916 
No. 4 Company ASCNew Zealand & Australian Divisional TrainGallipoli, 1915Apr 1915–Mar 1916 

Army Service Corps units, Mar 1916–November 1918

NameUnit attached toCampaignsDatesFurther information
No. 1 Company ASC1st New Zealand Infantry BrigadeWestern FrontMar 1916–Feb 1919 
No. 2 Company ASC2nd New Zealand Infantry BrigadeWestern FrontMar 1916–Mar 1919 
No. 3 Company ASCNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeWestern FrontMar 1916–Feb 1919 
No. 4 Company ASC4th New Zealand Infantry BrigadeWestern FrontMar 1917–Feb 1918Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
No. 5 Company ASC (renumbered No. 4 in Feb 1918)New Zealand Divisional TrainWestern FrontAug 1917–Jun 1919Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
New Zealand Field BakeryUnattachedWestern FrontMar 1916– Mar 1919Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
New Zealand Field ButcheryUnattachedWestern FrontMar 1916– Mar 1919Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
New Zealand ASC Motor WorkshopUnattachedWestern FrontMar 1916– Mar 1919 
No. 1 Depot Unit of SupplyUnattachedAmbleteuseMar 1916–Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
No. 2 Depot Unit of SupplyUnattachedWestern Front Menesvillers, Roye, DieppeMar 1916–Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
No. 3 Depot Unit of SupplyUnattachedMarseillesMar 1916–Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
No. 4 Depot Unit of SupplyUnattachedWestern Front HesdinMar 1916–Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
No. 5 Depot Unit of SupplyUnattachedWestern Front
Boulogne
Mar 1916–Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand
New Zealand Mechanical Transport Depot 1918–19HQ NZEF EnglandWeybridge, Surrey, England1918–19 

Badges, shoulder title and puggaree

NZ Army Service Corps badges

Cap and collar badges: The monogram ‘ASC’ within the garter, surrounded by a laurel wreath, surrounded by an eight-pointed star. Motto: Nil sine labor (Nothing without work). 

Army Service Corps shoulder title

New Zealand Army Service Corps shoulder title. 

New Zealand Army Service Corps puggaree (hatband).

Further reading

Millen, Julia, Salute to service: a history of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport and its predecessors 1860–1996 (Wellington: Victoria University Press, 1997)

 

 

 

How to cite this page

'Army Service Corps', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/supply-and-administrative-units/army-service-corps, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 22-Mar-2017

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Anonymous

Posted: 24 Mar 2023

Captain Charlie Dovey NZSC features in the book "Back To the Front -the Experiences of Elsie Grey: A New Zealand World War I Nurse, edited by J G M Holms, printed by Zip Print, Maryborough, QLD, Australia.