Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War “Lemon Squeezer” Hat with 2nd South Canterbury Regiment Brass Badge

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c. 1914

Overview

Felt hat originally Khaki green now faded with “lemon Squeezer peak. Good condition although worn at edges and showing a few small holes and liquid marks on surface. Internal leather hat band is worn with signs of sweat/ grease and overall wear. Hat band puggaree is worn and faded with one larger brown ribbon and a smaller red on in the centre of the brown ribbon.
A badge in the shape of a Maltese Cross with a kiwi in the centre boss. The kiwi is surrounded by the words NZI. 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. A banner below the cross bears the words PRO PATRIA.

Historical information

The lemon-squeezer hat became recognised as identification for New Zealand troops all over the world in times of peace and war for 44 years. Whilst it may date back to 1911, Prior to September 1916 the uniform hat was not standardised and the majority of soldiers who left in 1914 wore the New Zealand flat brimmed slouch type felt hat. This changed with Order 135/1916 Dress, which brought the lemon squeezer into general use.:
“Slouch hat, wearing of. The slouch hat will in future be worn by all ranks as follows – brim horizontal – crown peaked”
The New Zealand Army placed the lemon-squeezer in abeyance from service in 1960. However, it continued to be used by the Northern Military District, Territorial Force, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) Band until 1972. On December 1, 1976, the then Chief of General Staff, MAJGEN Gen Ron D. P. Hassett, reinstated the lemon squeezer as the ceremonial headdress for the NZ Army. It is also worn by officer cadets in training, and on occasions, by the New Zealand Army Band.
Item attributed to Soldier named Steel.
The Canterbury Battalion was formed on the outbreak of war recruited from the four existing Territorial Regiments in the province: 1st (Canterbury), 2nd (South Canterbury), 12th (Nelson) and 13th (North Canterbury and Westland). The battalion arrived in Egypt with the New Zealand Infantry Brigade in December 1914. The 2nd South Canterbury Regiment, was disbanded in 1921

The puggaree (hatband) has the unit badge at the front. The badge has the form of a Maltese Cross, symbolising knightly (military) virtues. It also shows a kiwi symbolising New Zealand. The Latin motto 'Pro patria' means ‘For country’.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2020.11.1

Item type

Headwear

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material