Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment

The Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment was a Territorial Force (TF) regiment of the New Zealand Army. It was formed in 1964 during the reorganisation of the army by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:

The Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment
Active1964–2012
Country New Zealand
Branch New Zealand Army
TypeInfantry
Garrison/HQNapier
Motto(s)Kia Toa (Maori: "be brave")
MarchThe Wellington Regiment
The Dashing White Sergeant
AnniversariesChunuck Bair Day - 8 August
Insignia
Distinguishing Patches

This amalgamation saw the new regiment become a TF battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. This was until the later reorganisation of 1999, which saw the TF battalions split from the RNZIR to become multi-function battalion groups. The Wellington and Hawke's Bay Regiment became the 7th Wellington and Hawke's Bay Battalion Group, with the following unit types:

  • Infantry
    • Alpha Company, was based in Gisborne
    • Bravo Company, was based at Trentham Camp in Wellington
    • Charlie Company, was based in Napier
  • Artillery – There was some discussion of converting 22(D) Battery, RNZA in the Wellington region into an Air Defence sub-unit
  • Medical – Now under the command of 2nd Health Services Battalion (2HSB) in Linton
  • Logistics
  • Military Band

In December 2012 the regiment was amalgamated with the 5th Wellington West Coast Taranaki Battalion Group to form the 5/7 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (5/7 RNZIR).

Battle honours edit

The following battle honours were authorised to be emblazoned on the colours:[1]

  • South Africa 1900–02
  • First World War: Somme 1916–18, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Sambre (Le Quesnoy), Landing at ANZAC, France and Flanders 1916–18, Chunuk Bair, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915
  • Second World War: Greece 1941, Crete, Tobruk 1941, Minquar Qaim, El Alamein, Tebaga Gap, The Sangro, Cassino I, The Senio, Solomons 1942–44

Alliances edit

Freedoms edit

The regiment was granted the following freedoms:[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Malcolm (1995). New Zealand Army distinguishing patches, 1911-1991, part 2. pp. 100–101.

External links edit