New Zealand Railway Company (New Zealand Engineers)
The New Zealand Railway Company, part of the New Zealand Engineers, was a component of the New Zealand Advance Party which occupied German Samoa in August 1914. The Company was despatched to operate light railways for the occupying force. It was disbanded when this force was reduced to a garrison in April 1915.
| Name | Unit attached to | Campaigns | Dates | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Railway Company | New Zealand Engineers | Samoa | Aug 1914–Apr 1915 | Railwaymen in the NZEF |
No. 5 Light Railway Operating Company
The No. 5 Light Railway Operating Company (or Section), New Zealand Engineers, was created in January 1917 to help operate the network of railways behind the British front lines which helped divisional trains and ammunition columns get supplies and ammunition to the troops. Read our article about Light Railways.
| Name | Unit attached to | Campaigns | Dates | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th (NZ) Light Railway Operating Company | New Zealand Engineers | Western Front, 1917–18 | Feb 1917–Mar 1919 | Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand |
Badges, shoulder titles and puggarees
Cap badge: Light Railway men wore the Engineers’ insignia. The hat badge contains the initials ‘NZE’ in a circle bearing the motto Quo fas et gloria ducunt (Where right and glory lead) 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.
Further reading
Napier, Paul, ‘The 5th Light Railway Operating Company’, in Barry O’Donnell (ed.), New Zealand railwaymen at war 1914–1918), pp. 34–41 (Wellington: KiwiRail, 2016)
See also: New Zealand Railways at war
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