The engineers were the army’s skilled tradesmen, maintaining communications, railways, roads, water supply, bridges and transport, as well as building fortifications and maintaining weapons. Their overall aim was to assist the movement of friendly forces and obstruct the movement of enemy forces.
In 1914 the NZEF included only an Engineers Field Troop attached to the Mounted Rifles Brigade. Three further ‘Field Companies’ were established between 1914 and 1916 to serve the rest of the New Zealand forces. The Field Troop was disbanded in January 1916 with the reorganisation of the New Zealand units, and the three Field Companies shifted to the Western Front with the rest of the New Zealand Division. The Mounted Brigade created its own Engineers Field Troop in July 1917 during the Palestine campaign. This worked as part of the 1st Field Squadron, Anzac Mounted Division.
Badges, shoulder title and puggaree
Cap badge: The initials ‘NZE’ in a circle bearing the motto Quo fas et gloria ducunt (Where right and glory lead) and surmounted by a crown and lion. Collar badge: small grenade.
Shoulder title worn by the New Zealand Engineers.
Puggaree (hatband) worn by the New Zealand Engineers.
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