New Zealanders in Korea

[ChrisB]

Have been working on these figures for a few years. They are close to being finished but you can always find new stuff to add to these. I'm in no rush and I think they don't look to bad for now.

Any comments/criticism welcomed.



The first figure represents an NCO the 10th Transport Company, Royal NZ Army Service Corps. The 10th Transport Company arrived in Korea in 1951 and that is where I have placed this Sergeant in the Korean conflict timeline. The 10th served in Korea from October 1951 till May 1956. I am unable to make out a date on the battle dress jacket but the trousers are dated 1951. On the jacket are the ribbons for Korea and World War Two (left to right; War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service, Korea and UN Korea ).



As an early K force arrival this sergeant wears the kings crown Commonwealth badge of the 1st Commonwealth Division.


The 1947 Dress Regulations required a 2 inch patch to be worn behind the badge on the GS cap and beret by all below the rank of Colonel. Each corps had their own colour, for the RNZASC this was white, blue and gold. This particular backing patch has taken a bit of a beating but I was lucky to find this beret with the patch still on it.

[ChrisB]

This second figure represents a Gunner (equivalent to a private in the infantry) in 161 Battery, 16th Field Regiment, Royal NZ Artillery during his deployment to Korea in 1953. The 16th Field Regiment was formed in 1950 for service in Korea and consisted of three batteries, each of eight 25-pounder guns formed as two four-gun troops. The 16th Field Regiment provided close support to the British Commonwealth infantry and was later awarded the South Korean Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951. Between 1951 and 1953 the regiment fire more than 750,000 shells. The Regiment was disbanded at the end of the war in 1954.
When the New Zealander’s first arrived in Korea they were not well kitted out for the Korean winter. This figure is lucky in that by winter 1953 he has either been issued with or “borrowed” a well insulated Canadian made 1952 pattern parka and US made trigger finger mittens. The winter protection is topped off with a US manufactured 1951 model pile cap with ear flaps.





The brassard with the Commonwealth badge of the 1st Commonwealth Division now has the Queens crown badge as the new monarch was crowned in June 1953. Inside the parka is the manufacture tag showing this was made in 1952.


With the parka off you can see the battle dress (BD). This is a different style of BD than that pictured in the first figure. The most noticeable difference is the open collar of the BD tunic. The BD trousers are dated 1953 but cant make out the complete date on the tunic.


With the tunic off you can see the long sleeved 1951 dated shirt. The design of this shirt is interesting in that it looks like a WW2 4 button pullover but under the false frontage is another button that allows the shirt to be fully opening.


Cheers
Chris

[sgtdorango]

Great work......some of those items must be very hard to find......mike

[ChrisB]

Hello,

NZ's involvement in Korea between 1950-57 was very small ,approximately 4-5 thousand, so these items aren't that easy to locate.

Lots of post war battle dress around but not many that are correctly badged up for the Korea conflict. Was VERY lucky to get the Sgt set of Battle Dress tunic & trousers that had been issued to the same individual and worn in the conflict. Was even luckier to get the beret with the RNZASC patch still on it.

The items in the second figure are a mixture of items that were worn in the Korean Conflict and items that are of the right age but no 100% certainty that they were used in Korea.

Cheers
Chris

[Ralph P]

Thanks for taking the time to create a thread and post your items and background. Very useful.