Demetre and Check Buttons

These cards have unfortunately been trimmed, but the pink examples were branded “Delphi”, and the white, “Check”. I had spotted “Check” buttons previously, but there was no country of origin printed on the cards. From the example showing the same button on both a Delphi and Check card, I presume they were distributed in Australia, and, as for Delphi, may have been produced by  General Plastics then by Beutron Australia, which was taking over GP at that stage.

The pricing dates these to 1966-7.

The square buttons are textured around the edge; as this is barely obvious from the front, and might catch on the button holes, it seems a strange design.

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Accessocraft Pty Ltd

This was a distributor of fashion accessories from 1953 until at least 1994. Accessocraft is now listed as a “prior name” of Delf Support Pty. Ltd. in Sydney.

Dun’s Gazette for NSW, 27th March 1953 page 109.

The Australian Jewish Times, 7th September 1983 page 41.

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Coles and Kmart

These cards date from the 1970s.

In 1968 G. J. Coles & Coy Limited of Australia and S.S. Kresge Company (USA) jointly started to develop Kmart stores in Australia. The first store in Burwood, Victoria was opened on 30th April 1969. Kreseg would divest its stakes in Coles Myer by 1994. The Coles Group (including Kmart) has been owned by Wesfarmers since 2007.

The Broadcaster (Fairfield, NSW), 21st November 1972 page 16. “Pictured is the new K mart food supermarket. In its first three years of operatins Kmart (Australia) Limited opened 10 Kmart stores in five states.”

The Broadcaster (Fairfield, NSW), 11th June 1974 page 11.

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Yet More NZ uniform Buttons

Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps

A Nursing Reserve was formed in 1908. The Corps formed in 1915 from civilian volunteer nurses. The lamp is probably meant to reference Florence Nightingale. Whilst the lamp she used was actually a Turkish fanoos, she is often depicted carrying a “genie lamp” (as on the Australian nursing button) or as depicted on this NZ button, and in a painting (unknown source: please let me know if you can) as seen below.

Left: National Army Museum: Florence’s fanoos, a paper lamp. 

Dominion, 3rd April 1915, page 6.

The Corps is an officer only corps that works along with the medical and dental corps in health care. Until 1945 it was only a part-time formation, except during periods of war.

New Zealand Women’s Royal Army Corps

The button shows a Tui bird on a perch. The Tui is a “boisterous”  NZ native honeyeater.

In 1940 the Women’s War Service Auxillary was formed. This was the forerunner of the Women’s Army Auxillary Corps formed in 1942, which in turn became the New Zealand Women’s Royal Army Corps in 1948, receiving the Royal prefix in 1952. it was disbanded in 1977, when women were allowed to serve along side men in the New Zealand military.

Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

The New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME) took over duties from other units in 1946, receiving the Royal prefix in 1947. it was amalgamated along with the ordnance and transport corps into the RNZA Logistic Regiment in 1996.

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New Zealand Defence Uniform Buttons

Army Veterinary Service: George V era

See https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/medical-units/veterinary-corps

Royal NZ Army Medical Corps

1st NZ Special Air Service Regiment (1 NZSAS Regt)

Backmark: Firmin London.

This unit was formed in 1955 and was modelled on the British SAS. it obtained regimental status in 2013. According to Wikipedia “It has the responsibility of conducting counter-terrorism and overseas special operations and performing the disposal of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards for military and civilian authorities.”

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More NZ uniform Buttons

New Zealand Army Education Corps

The Army Education  and Welfare Service was established in 1942 to educate and to help servicemen integrate back into civilian life by offering library services and training courses. It became the New Zealand Army Education Corps in 1954, and received the Royal prefix in 1963.

Press, 4th September 1956 page 9. From a long article. It described assessment of aptitudes, teaching of academic subjects, hobby sheds, library services, and entertainment.

New Zealand Staff Corps

From 1911-1947 it provided professional administrative officers of the Territorial Forces (reservists).  Many of the officers also served overseas during the wars.

Possible International Sporting Team Blazers

Mobil Logo

The pegasus symol was first used by the Vacuum Oil in South Africa in 1911. When it merged with the Standard Oil Company of New York, the trademark was adopted. The company was renamed to Socony-Mobil, then Mobil, and later to Exxon Mobil. The company is American, but this button was sourced in New Zealand. Was it for service station staff, or for their merchant marine, or from clothing merchandising?

Please contact me if you know anything about these buttons.

New Zealand Red Cross

The  New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society was established  in 1915, working with the  St John Ambulance Association. During WW1 it worked tirelessly to provide comfort packages to serving men and raising of funds. They also served as part of medical corps.

It became an independant national orgainisation in 1931.

Probably plastic

Freelance, 14th May 1915 page 4.

Sun (Christchurch), 19th October 1915 page 3. Part of a longer article describing efforts to establish and improve the New Zealand Red Cross.

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Royal New Zealand Army Ordinance Corps

Tudor and St Edwards crowns (pre/post 1953).

The New Zealand Amy Ordnance Corps was gazetted in 1917, and received the Royal prefix in 1947. It was absorbed into the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment in 1996.

Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals

Backmark: Gaunt London

This corps took over from the Post & Telegraph Corps in 1921, gaining the Royal prefix in 1947.

Auckland Harbour Board

This operated from 1871-1988 to operated the ports of both Auckland and Onehunga. It has been succeeded by the Ports of Auckland organisation.

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Royal New Zealand Service Corps.

Backmark: Gaunt London

This appears to be gilt anodised aluminium. Whilst supposedly a boon to the soldier in that it needed no polishing to stay bright, the finish did not wear well.

The New Zealand Army Service Corps was formed in 1910 to provide logistic support to the army. It received the Royal prefix in 1946. In 1979 it was disbanded, the duties now undertaken by the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

Australian War Memorial image #MEJ1249. The gentleman on the left was a driver with the RNZSC. A New zealand cloth badge ca be seen on his arm

Post & Telegraph Corps and Department

Backmark: JR Gaunt & Son Ltd London.

I haven’t found a record that P & T Corps had its own button, although they did have a badge depicting a winged foot. Therefore, the button probably belong to the P & T Department.

For a good summary of this 1911-1921 corps, see https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/post-and-telegraph-corps-badge and https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/first-world-war-postal-service

Post & telegraph Guard at Nelson, 1914.

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More New Zealand Uniform Buttons

New Zealand Police Tudor (“King’s) Crown

New Zealand Police St Edward’s (“Queen’s) Crown

Probably plastic

St John Ambulance Brigade

This is made from processed horn.

A NZ branch of the association was started around 1885 to provide first-aid classes and set up abmulance depots, using wheeled litters, stretchers and hampers used to convey injured people to help.

Lyttelton Times, 19th November 1886 page 6. Exerts from a report of the second annual meeting.

The Canberra Times, 18th October 1961 page 12.

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