HMS New Zealand Medals

In 1913, upon the first visit to New Zealand by HMS New Zealand, there were medallions struck to commemorate the visit:

HMS New Zealand Medal

An unmounted medal that was awarded by the Citizens of Auckland to the officers and crew of HMS New Zealand during the battleship’s visit to Auckland 29^th April-10 May 1913.[1] Size 35.5mm and struck sterling silver and issued unnamed.

Obverse: A representation of HMS New Zealand with the wording ‘To the Officers and Crew of H.M.S New Zealand 1913”.

Reverse: The coat of arms for the Dominion of New Zealand[2]

HMS New Zealand medallions

These were also issued in 1913 to commemorate the visit. They were produced in gilded and plain copper versions. This was presumably for civilians as opposed to the formal medal issued to the crew.

Gilded:

Size: 22.5mm loop suspension

Obverse: H.M.S New Zealand 1913

Reverse: To commemorate the visit of New Zealand’s gift battleship.

Copper:

Size 22.5mm loop suspension

Obverse: H.M.S New Zealand 1913

Reverse: To celebrate the visit of New Zealand’s gift battleship to the Empire.

The museum holds in its collection both of these medals.

During the First World War another medal was issued for the vessel:

H.M.S New Zealand medal 1916

This medal was struck by Spinks and Son, the obverse design is attributed to Prince Louis of Battenberg. The medal was disturbed to crew of HMS New Zealand in a blue box with gold lettering on the lid with the name HMS NEW ZEALAND AND XMAS 1916. Probable silver version of this medal issued to the Officers. Size 45mm struck in white metal.

Obverse: May 31, 1916 the German Fleet Attacked off the coast of Jutland and driven back into port with heavy loss. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe Commander in Chief. Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty Commanding Battle Cruiser Fleet.

Reverse: 28 August 1914 “Mainz” Sinking Lion Arethusa 24 Jan 1915 “blucher sinking Beatty TYRWHITT[3]

[1] No author identified, New Zealand’s Dreadnought, Christchurch: Christchurch Press Company Ltd, n.d., no page number. Also titled Our Dreadnought: HMS New Zealand. Presumed published 1913 and has dates of port visits in New Zealand.

[2] Geoffrey P. Oldham and Brett Delahunt, Orders, Decorations and Medals Awarded to New Zealanders: An Illustrated Guide for Collectors, Auckland: Privately Published, 1991, p. 97. See also

Leon G. Morel, Medallic Commemoratives of New Zealand 1965-1940, Christchurch: Privately Published, 1996, p. 78

[3] Leon G. Morel, Supplement to Medallic Commemoratives of New Zealand 1965-1940, Christchurch: Privately Published, 2000, p. 12.