The RNZAOC

Aside 3 Comments

The Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps was responsible for equipping the New Zealand Army with necessary items for combat, such as uniforms, weapons, rations, and equipment. The concept of ordnance dates back hundreds of years, with the first Ordnance Officer appearing in the British military in 1299. Their duties included the management and accounting of heavy equipment such as battering rams and catapults.

The New Zealand provision of Ordnance services dates back to the 1840s, with British Ordnance Stores established to support the Imperial Forces in New Zealand. As the Imperial presence diminished in the 1860s, New Zealand military storekeepers assumed a larger role, and complete control of New Zealand’s Military storekeeping was transferred to the Defence Stores Department in 1869. The New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps was formed in 1917, taking over duties performed by the Defence Stores Department, and it maintained the Army during the interbellum and expanded rapidly at the onset of the Second World War.

Following creditable service in the war, King George VI granted the prefix “Royal” on 12 July 1947. In 1946, the Territorial component of the Corps merged with the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, and in 1996, the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps was amalgamated with the Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport and the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to form the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

Badge of the RNZAOC. Copyright © Robert McKie 2017

Copyright © Robert McKie 2017

The RNZAOC

3 thoughts on “The RNZAOC”

  1. Noel Kreegher

    Hello,
    I am endeavoring to put my fathers history, especially his military service and fit them in with pictures from his photo album so I have dates & places from his service records.
    Briefly he enlisted in Kawakawa, trained in Papakura 8/4/41, entered Egypt 15/4/41 ( transport HMT 25 ) posted to Ordnance Field Park 18/8/41, was promoted to Sgt. 7/8/43. Returning to NZ on the Tongarriro on the 21/4/45 & was posted to area 6 Wanganui, discharged 26/10/45.
    His name was Fredinand Charles Kreegher service No.62306
    What I am hoping is that you could supply me with some information about the Ordance Corps movements during this time or point me in the right direction to pursue this quest.
    Kind regards
    Noel Kreegher

    Reply
    • rneilmckie

      Hi Noel, thanks for reaching out. I am actively researching all aspect of New Zealand’s Ordnance Corps including the 2nd Division Ordnance Field Park (OFP), and your father’s name is another piece to the puzzle and an additional name to the Ordnance Nominal roll that I am rebuilding.
      Based on the dates you have provided, he was with the OFP from its formation in 1941, serving with it in Egypt, Lybia, Syria, Tunisia and Italy. So far I have written one article on the OFP, which provides a broad overview of its activities from 1941 to 1945, here is the link https://rnzaoc.com/2018/12/10/nz-divisional-ordnance-field-park-1941-1945/, additionally Joe Boltons History of the Royal New Zeland Army Ordnance Corps has some information of the OFP, this book is available through most public libraries, once they reopen.
      I have other work planned on the OFP, but that is all depending on the lockdown ending and the Defence and National Archives reopening. In the interim, I will recheck the material I have and see if your father’s name appears anywhere.

      Reply
  2. DT

    Kia ora koutou, I am seeking guidance re who I can contact to obtain an RNZAOC badge or logo file for use on my mothers headstone who recently passed as a request she had prior to passing. Any assistance in who I may be able to liaise with would be appreciated.

    Reply

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