In the New Zealand Army realm, there exists a group of exceptional individuals known as Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) and Ammunition Technicians (ATs). These brave men and women have adored a distinctive emblem since 1971—the Flaming “A” Badge—a symbol that embodies their trade’s hazardous and highly skilled nature. But this badge represents far more than just a visual representation of their profession. It is a tribute, recognising their trade’s extensive and illustrious heritage.

What began as the management of powder magazines in the 19th century has evolved into a responsibility encompassing the entire spectrum of ammunition and explosives available to the modern New Zealand Army. The AT trade has adapted and grown, keeping pace with the changing times and technologies. And since 1971, the Flaming “A” Badge has remained a constant, a badge of honour that signifies the dangerous nature of their work and the expertise required to execute it with precision.

Beyond its symbolism, the Flaming “A” Badge is a profound acknowledgement to those who wear it—a testament to the long and proud whakapapa (genealogy) of their trade. It is a reminder of the individuals who came before them, laying the foundation and forging the path they now tread. Each wearer of the badge carries the weight of history, embodying the spirit and dedication that has defined the AT trade over the years.

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During the early colonial period in New Zealand, importing ammunition and explosives from the United Kingdom and Australia was necessary. Powder magazines were established at Mount Cook in Wellington and Mount Albert in Auckland to store and distribute these essential supplies safely. The responsibility of handling and storing these stocks fell upon qualified individuals from the British Military Stores Department and Royal Artillery and Engineer officers.

As the Imperial Forces gradually withdrew from New Zealand in 1870, the full responsibility for the country’s magazines and ammunition transferred to the Defence Stores Department. Subsequently, new facilities were constructed at Mount Eden in Auckland and Kaiwharawhara in Wellington, replacing the previous powder magazines at Mount Albert and Mount Cook. These new sites remained in use until the 1920s. Additionally, magazines were maintained by the Defence Stores Department in various provincial centres to support the dispersed Militia and Volunteer Forces.

In 1884, the permanent Garrison Artillery was formed, and two experienced individuals, Frederick Silver and Robert George Vinning Parker, were transferred from the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Garrison Artillery to serve as instructors. Their expertise proved invaluable in mounting New Zealand’s Garrison Artillery, as they compiled books and manuals and managed artillery ammunition stocks in collaboration with the Defence Storekeeper.

Capitalizing on the government’s support, Major John Whitney established Whitney & Sons as an ammunition manufacturing company in Auckland. Later, with additional investors, the company evolved into the Colonial Ammunition Company (CAC) in 1888—the first ammunition manufacturer in New Zealand and Australasia. The CAC contracted with the New Zealand Government to produce Small Arms Ammunition (SAA). The agreement stipulated that the government supplied the powder while the CAC provided the components to manufacture complete cartridges. Each batch underwent government inspection and quality control checks before acceptance by the New Zealand Forces. The testing process involved firing a small percentage of the batch to determine its performance and whether it met the required standards.

By 1890, the production of .577 Snyder Ball Ammunition was underway, and the initial batches underwent testing, inspection, and acceptance under the supervision of Major John Pirie of the New Zealand Militia. Major Pirie, a former Major in the Guernsey Militia, had immigrated to New Zealand and assumed the Auckland District Musketry Instructor role in 1881. He continued to inspect manufactured ammunition until July 1891 when Major Goring, Officer Commanding the Auckland District, took over the responsibility. Lieutenant J E Hume of the Permanent Militia assumed the ammunition examination duties from 1893 while concurrently handling other responsibilities.

On 6 February 1898, a formal request was made to the United Kingdom to recruit a suitable Warrant Officer from the Royal Artillery to oversee the testing operations and supervise the manufacture of Small Arms Ammunition. Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor Arthur Duvall from the Artillery College in the Royal Garrison Artillery was selected as the Small Arms Testing Officer for the New Zealand Forces. Upon appointment, he was promoted to 3rd Class Master Gunner and engaged for three years at a rate of Nine Shillings per day, along with free quarters or a housing allowance of £50 per annum. Duvall arrived in New Zealand in July 1898 and began his work at the CAC premises in Mount Eden, Auckland. He extended his engagement every three years and completed twenty years of service with the British Army in 1911. Duvall then took his discharge in New Zealand, immediately enlisting in the New Permanent Staff as an Honorary Lieutenant on 26 April 1912, followed by a promotion to Honorary Captain on 1 April 1914.

In 1902, Frederick Silver transitioned from the Artillery and took on the role of Assistant Defence Storekeeper. While fulfilling his duties in this position, Silver managed all Artillery stores and ammunition. After implementing the Defence Act 1909 and subsequent reorganization, Silver transferred from the Defence Stores to the office of the Director of Artillery. He was appointed Quartermaster (Honorary Lieutenant) as Artillery Stores Accountant, retaining his responsibilities overseeing Artillery stores and ammunition. Silver retired in June 1913, and Robert George Vinning Parker succeeded him as Artillery Stores Accountant after being promoted from Warrant Officer to Quartermaster (Honorary Lieutenant).

Although the Colonial Ammunition Company (CAC) in Auckland provided self-sufficiency in Small Arms Ammunition (SAA) production, the same could not be said for artillery ammunition, which still had to be imported. Parker conducted a cost-benefit analysis and concluded that significant annual savings of £3,333 (2022 NZD$ 633,605) could be achieved by cleaning and refilling casings, inspecting and refurbishing propellant bags, and manufacturing new ones as needed. To realize these savings, Parker recommended the establishment of a specialized Royal New Zealand Artillery Ordnance Corps Section responsible for manufacturing and modifying ammunition. General Godley approved the proposal in mid-1914, and on 1 March 1915, under New Zealand Defence Forces General Order 90, the New Zealand Army Ordnance Section was authorized and established from 1 April 1915.

On 31 May 1917, regulations were approved and published, constituting the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department (NZAOD) and New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (NZAOC), with retroactive effect from 1 February 1917. This marked the end of the forty-eight-year service the Defence Stores Department provided. Administrative control of the New Zealand Artillery Ordnance Section was transferred to the NZAOC, and Parker was commissioned as Captain in the NZAOD, serving as the Inspector of Ordnance Machinery. However, Parker’s tenure in this position was brief, as he retired on 30 September 1919.

On 10 January 1918, Arthur Duvall was transferred from the Permanent Staff to the NZAOD, assuming the role of Proof Officer SAA with the rank of Captain. The post of Proof Officer SAA would continue to be a continuous appointment in the New Zealand Army’s ammunition supply chain until 1968, when the CAC relocated its operations to Australia, concluding its longstanding association with the New Zealand Army.

The experiences of World War I emphasized the need for specialized officers with technical knowledge of ammunition. Captain William Ivory, RNZA, returned to New Zealand in 1919 after completing several courses of instruction in the United Kingdom and assumed the position of Inspecting Ordnance Officer (IOO). Lieutenant A de T Nevill, RNZA, served as Acting IOO in 1925, allowing Ivory to fulfil regimental duties within the RNZA. Ivory resumed the position of IOO on 2 January 1927. Upon Ivory’s retirement in 1933, Lieutenant Ivan Roberts Withell, RNZA, succeeded him as IOO, a role he held until his passing on 31 August 1946.

In 1917, the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) Ordnance Section at Fort Ballance came under NZAOC control upon the formation of the NZAOC. The section continued its responsibilities for storing, repairing, and refurbishing ammunition under the supervision of the RNZA. With the closure of the Kaiwharawhara Magazines in the early 1920s, Watts Peninsula on the north end of Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula became the primary ammunition depot of the NZAOC. This depot consisted of 19 magazines, one store, and a laboratory spread across Shelly Bay, Kau Point, Mahanaga Bay, Fort Ballance, and Fort Gordon. These facilities were repurposed submarine mining and coastal artillery fortifications dating back to the 1880s. The large six- and eight-inch disappearing guns had been removed in the early 1920s, and the gun pits were converted into makeshift magazines. However, these accommodations were not ideal as they lacked proper temperature and moisture control, posing potential risks to ammunition stocks.

A smaller Ammunition section was also maintained at Mount Eden in Auckland until 1929 when, along with some staff from Fort Ballance, the Mount Eden Ammunition Section was transferred to New Magazines at Hopuhopu Camp. Intended to serve as the principal ammunition depot for New Zealand, between 1925 and 1927, eleven magazines and a laboratory were constructed at Hopuhopu Camp. The magazines, built into the hillside to contain any blasts, were made of concrete with double walls, creating an inspecting chamber. The purpose of the inspecting chamber was to enable sentries to monitor thermometers and adjust ventilation to maintain the optimal temperature of the stocks by consulting a chart.

In 1931, the NZAOC Ammunition sections underwent civilianization, transferring nearly all the NZAOC military staff to the Public Service as civilian employees, usually at lower pay rates or placing them on superannuation due to government budgetary constraints.

When New Zealand entered the Second World War in September 1939, the responsibility for ammunition was shared between the RNZA and the NZAOC.

• The Director of Artillery was responsible to the General Officer Commanding for.
  • The provision and allocation of gun ammunition,
  • The receipt, storage, and issue of gun ammunition and explosives other than small-arms ammunition
• The Director of Ordnance Services, assisted by the IOO and the SAA Proof Officer, were responsible to the Quartermaster-General for.
  • The inspection and repair of gun ammunition,
  • The provision, receipt, storage and distribution of small arms ammunition.

NZAOC Ammunition facilities and personnel shared by the RNZA and NZAOC in September 1939 consisted of.

• The IOO, Captain I.R Withell, RNZA
• The Proof Officer, SAA Mount Eden Auckland, Honorary Lieutenant J.W Fletcher, NZPS
• 19 Magazines, 1 Store, and an Ammunition Laboratory at Fort Ballance managed by
  • an RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC
  • five members of the NZAOC civilian staff
• 11 Magazines and an Ammunition Laboratory at Hopuhopu Camp managed by
  • an RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC and
  • two members of the NZAOC civilian staff.
• Single SAA Magazines at Trentham and Burnham Camps.

From 1940 as the New Zealand Army moved from a peacetime to a wartime footing, the Ammunition trade grew exponentially as new infrastructure was constructed to accommodate the extensive range of ammunition required for training and home defence, with Modern Explosive Store Houses built at.

• Burnham – 8 Magazines
• Ohakea – 6 Magazine
• Papakura (Ardmore)- 28 Magazines
• Hopuhopu and Kelms Road – 55 Magazines
• Waiouru – 45 Magazines
• Makomako – 39 Magazines
• Trentham (Kuku Valley) – 22 Magazines
• Belmont – 62 Magazines
• Glen Tunnel – 16
• Mount Somers – 10
• Fairlie – 9
• Alexandra – 9

In 1942 a conference of the QMG, DQMG2, AQMG5, COO, DCOO and IOO reset the wartime policy and organisation of New Zealand Military Ammunition services in which,

• The COO and the Ordnance Ammunition Group were responsible for the management and storage of ammunition
• the Chief IOO (CIOO) was responsible for all technical management and inspection of ammunition.

With the role of the IOO branch now defined, from January 1943, the establishment of the IOO Branch was steadily increased to more robust levels.

From mid-1945, discussions started taking place on the post-war shape of the NZAOC. Some thought was given to returning the NZAOC to its pre-war status as a predominantly civilian organisation. Reality prevailed, and the future of the NZAOC was assured as a permanent component of the post-war Army.

The Proposed establishment of NZAOC Ammunition units saw the first widespread use of Ammunition Examiner (AE) as the ammunition trade name. AEs had existed in the British Army since 1923, evolving from the trade of Military Laboratory Foreman that had been established in 1886. Although the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) authorised the use of a specialist AE badge consisting of an ‘AE in Wreath’ in 1942, permission to wear this badge was not granted to New Zealand AEs.

The first New Zealand AE were in the 2^nd New Zealand Expeditionary (2NZEF), where New Zealand Ordnance Corps (NZOC) AEs were included as part of the 2nd New Zealand Division NZASC Ammunition Company establishment. Little information is known about the 2NZEF AEs. They were likely recruited from within 2NZEF, given some rudimentary training by the RAOC and set to work.

From 1 June 1945, the Artillery Headquarters element responsible for managing Gun Ammunition, the Ammunition and Equipment Section, was transferred to the control of the Chief Ordnance Officer (COO), ending the RNZA roles in the management of ammunition that had existed since the 1880s and the employment of Parker and Silver. As a result of the transfer, 11 Officers and 175 Other Ranks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery were absorbed into the NZAOC establishment.

On 15 November 1945, the QMG directed that the care, maintenance, accounting and storage of all ammunition and explosives was the responsibility of the COO. Under the COO, these duties were to be undertaken by

• The IOO Section
• The NZAOC Ammunition Section

Under the CIOO, the IOO Section was responsible for.

• The control of all work on ammunition for all purposes other than accounting and storage,
• Maintenance of Ammunition and explosives in stock in a serviceable condition and ready for use,
• Provision of personnel for inspection and repair and for working parties to carry out repairs,
• Provision of all equipment and stores required for the inspection and repair of ammunition,
• Provision and accounting for Motor Transport necessary for the transport of stock for inspection and repair,
• Administration and control of Repair Depot Trentham,
• Maintenance of buildings at Repair Depot Trentham.

The NZAOC Ammunition Section was responsible for.

• The accounting, storage and care of ammunition and explosives,
• Maintenance or magazines areas and of buildings and services connected with the storage of ammunition and explosives,
• Administration of personnel of the IOO Section, while attached to ammunition depots concerning pay, rations, quarters, clothing and discipline,
• Transport arrangements for the movement of ammunition not connected with the inspection and repair of ammunition at depots.

The provision of suitably trained personnel was a constant problem for the CIOO. A course for IOOs was conducted over November/December 1945 to provide sufficient Officers to fill the IOO establishment. Graduates included

• Captain John Gordon Renwick Morley
• Captain Gerald Arthur Perry
• Lieutenant Heaphy
• Lieutenant W.G Dixon
• Lieutenant Eric Dudley Gerard

On 1 September 1946, Army Headquarters “Q” Branch underwent a significant reorganization that established the New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NZEME). New Zealand’s Ordnance Services were also restructured under the Director of Army Equipment (DAE), who became the senior NZAOC position.

The reorganization led to the division of Ordnance Services under the DAE into the following roles:

• COO: This role oversaw Headquarters New Zealand Ordnance Services, including the Provision Group.
• CIOO: This role held responsibility for the IOO Group.

Following the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel C.S.J. Duff, DSO, RNZA, who served as the incumbent DAE, on 3 July 1947, the position was renamed Director of Ordnance Services (DOS). Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Huia Andrews, RNZAOC, assumed the role as the first post-war DOS on 1 October 1947.

By 1949 the Ammunition organisation had further evolved, combining the IOO and NZAOC Section into a single ammunition organisation, with

• The CIOO and staff providing DOS with the required technical advice on ammunition
• District IOOs appointed to each District Headquarters as the Ammo advisor to the District DADOS
• District Ammunition Sections now renamed as
  • Northern District Ammunition Depot
  • Central District Ammunition Depot
  • Southern District Ammunition Depot
• Army Ammunition Repair Depot
• Army Ammunition Supply Depot

To facilitate the further reorganisation and refinement of the Ammunition functions, the DOS hosted the first conference of Senior Ammunition Officers at Trentham Camp from 21-24 June 1949.

As the role of Inspection Ordnance Officers and Ammunition Examiners became integrated into the structure of the New Zealand Army, the Ammunition trade continued to face challenges due to limited resources, despite operating at a high tempo. Throughout the 1950s, the trade supported various activities, including:

• Continuous inspection of wartime ammunition held in depots.
• Disposal of surplus and obsolete ammunition through methods such as dumping at sea, destruction within depots, sale to the public (SAA natures), and transfer to allied nations.
• The Supply of ammunition to support Compulsory Military Training.
• The Disposal of blinds and unexploded ammunition discovered in wartime training areas.
• The conduct of trials and introduction of new types of ammunition into service.
• The provision of technical ammunition support to the Fiji Military Forces.

Meanwhile, an exciting development occurred in the United Kingdom in 1948 when a competition was held to design a new badge for RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) Ammunition Examiners. Major Leonard Thomas Herbert Phelps submitted a design that was eventually accepted. The badge featured a 3″ x 2″ Flaming Grenade in red, black, and gold, with the letter “A” incorporated within the grenade. This symbolized the AE trade’s status as an “A” Class trade and became the British Army’s first three-colour trade badge. There were rumours that the Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics Company logo inspired the design.

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The year 1950 marked a significant milestone as the British Army Dress Committee granted permission for Ammunition Examiners (AEs) with the rank of Sergeant and above to wear the esteemed ‘Flaming A’ Trade Badge as a distinguished ‘Badge of Appointment’. Although this recognition was granted, it took some time for the approval to extend to the Ammunition Trades within New Zealand. Nonetheless, the journey was underway to officially embrace the ‘Flaming A’ Badge within the ranks of New Zealand’s Ammunition Trades..

In 1959, a thorough evaluation of army dress embellishments was undertaken to establish a clear policy regarding the wear of various embellishments, including:

• Shoulder titles
• Formation Patches
• Service Badges
• Badges of Appointment
• Instructors Badges
• Skill-at-Arms Badges
• Tradesmen’s badges

During the review of Badges of Appointment, it was noted that specific badges worn by the British Army were also authorised for wear by the New Zealand Army. These badges, such as the Gun for RNZE, Grenade for RNZA, Hammer and Pincers for RNZEME, and Lyre for Bandsmen, were worn by Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants in their respective units.
Regarding the flaming “A” badge of the RAOC AE, it was recognised that it held significance and merit for adoption by the ammunition trades of the RNZAOC. Consequently, the adoption of the flaming “A” badge was recommended.

Despite the numerous recommendations during the army dress embellishment review, only decisions regarding shoulder titles and formation patches were made. The Army Dress Committee requested the Adjutant General to prepare a paper on dress embellishments and develop a policy specifically addressing Badges of Appointment, Instructors Badges, Skill-at-Arms Badges, and Tradesmen’s badges. Unfortunately, the wait for a badge for AEs was set to continue.

As the RNZAOC organisation matured in the late 1950s, it became apparent that the system in place of having separate Ordnance, Vehicle and Ammunition Depots located in the same locations but under different command arrangements was impracticable and not an efficient use of resources. Starting in 1961, a reorganisation was undertaken to consolidate administrative, accounting and store functions under one headquarters. The restructuring resulted in only one RNZAOC depot in each district, which consisting of,

• Headquarters,
• Stores Sub-Depot,
• Ammunition Sub-Depot,
• Vehicle Sub-Depot
• Traffic Centre.

To achieve this, all the existing District Ammunition Depots became sub-depots of a District Ordnance Depot, designated as.

• Ammunition Sub-Depot, Northern Districts Ordnance Depot (NDOD) – Ngāruawāhia,
• Ammunition Sub-Depot Central Districts Ordnance Depot (CDOD) – Linton,
• Ammunition Sub-Depot Southern Districts Ordnance Depot (SDOD) – Burnham

Ammunition Sub-Depots now consisted of:

• Ammunition Inspection Section.
• Ammunition Repair Section.
• Non-Explosive Store.
• NDOD Ammunition Areas.
  • Ardmore
  • Kelm road
  • Ngāruawāhia
• CDOD Ammunition Areas
  • Waiouru
  • Makomako
  • Belmont
  • Trentham
• SDOD Ammunition Areas
  • Burnham
  • Glentunnel
  • Fairlie
  • Mt Somers

In 1960 the RAOC renamed their Ammunition Trades, and concurrent with the 1961 reorganisation, the RNZAOC decided to align the Ammunition Trade with the RAOC and adopt the same trade names, making the following changes.

• Chief Inspecting Ordnance Officer became Chief Ammunition Technical Officer
• Senior Inspecting Ordnance Officer became Senior Ammunition Technical Officer
• District Inspecting Ordnance Officer became District Ammunition Technical Officer
• Inspecting Ordnance Officer became Ammunition Technical Officer
• Ammunition Examiner became Ammunition Technician

Up to 1961, Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) were usually only employed in Ammunition-related duties. However, as a result of this reorganisation, ATOs were now used across all of the RNZAOC and, as such, were required to balance their regular duties with their Ammunition responsibilities.

1968 saw further reorganisation with the Main Ordnance Depot at Trentham was renamed 1 Base Ordnance Depot and the District Ordnance Depots renamed

• Northern District Ordnance Depot to 1 Central Ordnance Depot
• Central District Ordnance Depot to 2 Central Ordnance Depot
• Southern District Ordnance Depot to 3 Central Ordnance Depot

A significant aspect of the 1968 reorganisation was the Disestablishment of The Small Arms and Proof Office co-located at Mount Eden when the CAC closed down, ending the ammunition trades’ long relationship with the CAA. Additionally, the Ammunition Proof and Experimental Centre operations at Kuku Valley was closed down, and its operations moved to the new Joint Services Proof Establishment at Kauri Point in Auckland.

Keen to provide the Ammunition trade with a suitable trade identifier Major D.H Rollo, the CATO, sent a message to the New Zealand Defence Liaison Staff in London in September 1968 requesting the following information from the UK Chief Inspector of Land Service Ammunition (CILSA) on the RAOC AT Badge

• Do other ranks and officers wear it
• Conditions of entitlement to wear
• Cost of badge
• Possibility of procuring samples
• Any other pertinent details which may guide in adopting a similar badge

By the end of November 1968, through the New Zealand Defence Liaison Staff, the UK CILSA provided the following information on the RAOC AT badge to the New Zealand CATO,

• Worn by all Ammunition Technicians on No 1 and No2 Dress. It is not worn with any other form of dress.
• Price
  • No1 Dress – 7/6d each,
  • No 2 Dress – 5.1/4d each
• Samples of each badge to be provided

In April 1969, CATO submitted a proposal to the 77th meeting of the Army Dress Committee, seeking approval to introduce the Flaming “A” badge for New Zealand Ammunition Technicians (ATs). However, the submission was deemed insufficient and was ultimately declined, citing the following reasons:

• Equality among trades: It was argued that other trades within the Army equally deserved a similar badge, and singling out ATs may not be justified.
• Lower qualification standards: Concerns were raised regarding the perceived lower standards required to qualify for the badge than other trade badges.

The Dress Committee agreed to revisit the matter if additional justification could be provided.

During the same period, developments in the United Kingdom and the ongoing troubles in Northern Ireland led to the unofficially wearing of the RAOC AT badge by Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs). Subsequently, in June 1971, an ATO badge was introduced through the DOS (Director of Ordnance Services) Bulletin. This badge featured a small ‘Flaming Circle’ without the superimposed letter A, distinguishing it from the badge worn by ATs.

Moving forward from Major Rollo’s initial submission, New Zealand’s CATO, Major Bob Duggan, reconsidered the earlier proposal and, on 13 July 1970, through the DOS, submitted the following for a combined AT/ATO Badge,

CONSIDERATIONS

6.            R & SO Vol II provides for the wearing of qualification badges, and a study of that publication reveals that a large proportion of Army Corps already have these. Many badges require less effort for qualification than would the exacting trade of Ammunition Technician. In addition, and supporting the acceptance of an ATO/AT Badge, these technicians are frequently required to deal with other services and members of the public.

7.            The low standard required to qualify for this badge has been reconsidered in light of information obtained on similar standards received from overseas. In addition, it was never the intention to cheapen the significance of this badge in the RNZAOC or those of any other Corps. The standard required to qualify for the ATO/AT badge would now be as follows:

a. Technical Officers who have practised for a minimum of one year.

b. All Ammunition Technicians, regardless of rank, who have qualified in all ways for four stars in their trade.

8.            The Public Relations side of the duties of ATO/Ats, as mentioned in paragraph 6 above, is further explained. This aspect concerns the collection and disposal of stray ammunition and explosives as well as involvement with the Police and other Government Departments in bomb scares. The average annual number of items, all natures and types of stray ammunition which have been collected over the last three years is 5750, which represents approximately 450 calls by ATOs or four-star ATs. ATO/ATs are requested by Police Stations throughout New Zealand

a. To visit many private homes to identify-stray ammunition.

b. Assess whether or not the items are in a dangerous state, and

c. Remove such items for disposal. If an item is in an armed state, it could mean disposal in situ’.

9.            The request is therefore not for a trade badge, but one of recognition and identification as to the dangerous and skilful nature of their specialist work.

With the Support of the Army Q Branch, the Army Dress committee approved the introduction of the AT Badge for qualified RNZAOC ATOs and ATs on 31 May 1971

The New Zealand AT badge adopted in 1971 was identical to the RAOC AT Badge. The criteria for being awarded was for Officers to have completed one year of practical experience after graduating from the ATOs Course in Australia or the United Kingdom. For ATs to qualify, they were required to be qualified in all aspects of the trade, which could take up to six years.

The New Zealand AT Badge was approved to be worn with the following orders of dress;

• No 2 Dress Mess Kit, No 3 Dress Summer Mess Kit. On the left lower sleeve, 165mm above the bottom of the cuff
• .No 4A Dress Service Dress. On the left lower sleeve, 165mm above the bottom of the cuff, except with warrant officers, it was worn immediately above the badge of rank on the left sleeve.

The United Kingdom continues to maintain different ATO and AT badges. The Australian Army utilises an RAOC style, ATO badge with a stylised Wattle for ATOs and ATs.

Examples of New Zealand ATO/AT Badges

On 24 May 1985, the Army Dress Committee endorsed a proposal that all New Zealand Army Qualification Badges eventually conform to a common heraldic motif as an initiative to develop insignia with a unique New Zealand flavour. The common heraldic motif consisted of the qualification badge surrounded by fern fronds providing a badge with a distinct national character.

Although a scroll could be included, if this was not necessary, the fronds continued and stopped just short of the centre point.

Approved for adoption by the CGS on 6 November 1985, the request went out to trade sponsors to prepare drawings of the current qualification badges encompassing a surround of fern fronds for consideration by the Army Dress Committee.

Although tasked with providing a design of the AT badge incorporating the common motif, on 1 April 1987, CATO provided a submission including the current AT Badge with the common motif, as well as an alternative design in keeping with the requirement to ‘New Zealandise’ qualification badges.

At the Army Dress Committee meeting on 12 May 1987, it was agreed that to ensure uniformity of design, the AT badge design incorporating the fern fronds was recommended for approval by CGS. This badge was introduced into service in 1988.

In April 1987, the New Zealand AT Badge was approved for wear with Sumer Dress (Dacrons) on the left arm 50mm below the point of the shoulder

New Zealand ATOs and ATs matured into a highly specialised trade that, on the amalgamation of the RNZAOC into the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR) in 1996, had a wide range of responsibilities, including

• The inspection, storage and maintenance of all ammunition and explosives used by the Army
• The conduct of technical trials on new ammunition,
• The conduct investigations into ammunition incidents and accidents,
• The disposal of unserviceable or obsolete ammunition,
• The management of Explosive Ordnance Devices and Improvised Explosive Devices.

New Zealand’s Ammunition trade has progressed from storing and managing black powder magazines in the 19th century to managing the many modern ammunition natures available to the 21^st century New Zealand Army. Although introduced in 1971 to recognise and identify the specialist, dangerous and skilful nature of the Ammunition trade, the flaming “A” badge is a fitting symbol of the trade’s progress.