| History
of the emblem
In July, 1965 the
Regular Force Artillery Battery of 16th Field Regiment, 161 Battery
was deployed on active service to South Vietnam where initially the
Battery served under the operational command of 173rd Airborne
Brigade, US Army, based at Bien Hoa. Later 161 Battery was relocated
to Nui Dat as part of the 1st Australian Task Force. The Battery
returned to New Zealand after almost six years of war in May 1971. The
New Zealand military involvement in the Vietnam conflict was a most
unpopular political decision, and here in New Zealand anti-war
protests occurred almost daily throughout the major cities and larger
centres of population.
In the small Waikato
town of Raglan the citizens rallied to the call of one of the town's
leading lights, Mr Douglas Arter who was heavily involved with all of
the many and varied local organisations. The townsfolk adopted 161
Battery as their own and sent food parcels, letters, comfort packs,
books, (New Zealand beer), and a host of other small touches which
make life just a little more comfortable for the New Zealand fighting
man. At one point during the war, 161 Battery managed to smuggle Doug
Arter aboard an aircraft, and a (now) very
famous photograph exists showing Doug and Lt. Hugh Weatherhead, RNZA
"brewing up" in a Fire Support Base in South Vietnam.
Upon 161 Battery's
return to New Zealand it was felt by all ranks that something of the
town of Raglan should be adopted by the Battery as a symbol of
friendship. The Battery Commander approached the Raglan County Council
requesting permission to emblazon the Raglan Coat of Arms upon the Gun
Shields of the units howitzers. This was considered a very appropriate
distinction by the County Council, however it was thought that perhaps
Lord Raglan would possibly need to give his consent?
Lord Raglan
161 Battery then
communicated with Lord Raglan who was very much in favour of the idea
and personally approached the College of Arms on the behalf of 161
Battery RNZA. Permission to emblazon the full achievement of Lord
Raglan's Arms was denied by Richmond Herald of Arms who explained to
Lord Raglan that "it is contrary to the law of arms for you (Lord
Raglan) to alienate your arms". Richmond Herald of Arms suggested
that Lord Raglan grant 161 Battery the use of one of his supporters
and this was readily agreed to by Lord Raglan.
Supporters
The supporters of
the Raglan Arms are (dexter) a Panther, and (sinister) a Wyvern. As
there are numerous Dragons borne by British regiments as emblems, the
Battery chose the Panther as its official unit insignia. It was also
felt that the Panther was such a unique emblem that it would never be
forgotten, nor the reason for its adoption. It was officially adopted
and emblazoned on the gun shields on the 20th August 1972.
Field
The Panther is
normally displayed on a Sky Blue field. Within a Field Artillery
Regiment there are normally three (or four) Gun Batteries. Each
Battery has a brightly coloured "skirt" attached to its'
individual Artillery survey director. The director skirt for 161
Battery is Sky Blue.
Mike Subritzky
Previously published: The Commonwealth Heraldry Bulletin No 21, 1995
Sources: Conversation -
Subritzky/Lt. Col. J.M. Masters, MC
Subritzky/Lt. Col. B. Dreyer
Subritzky/Brig. G.D. Birch, MBE
Subritzky/Chev. D.W. Arter, KLJ
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