"The unsuitability of the arm badge, which the Government offers to returned soldiers, has led the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association to establish a distinctive badge of more suitable design. The badge is in silver, about an inch in diameter, and is worn on the lapel of the coat attached to a strip of red ribbon. This is far preferable to the canvas armlet issued by the Recruiting Board. Auckland Star, 1 April 1916, p4

"The neat silver badge issued by the Auckland Returned Soldiers Association is being generally worn by men of the province back from the front. The badge can be easily distinguished, but it has not the disadvantage of being too conspicuous. The face of the badge, which is about the size of a florin, bears Rangitoto, the native kiwi and the familiar nikau palm in relief. A tab of red silk ribbon is attached." Auckland Star, 4 April 1916, p4

JOHN W HARKIN

Cabinet maker and father of eight children, John W Harkin enlisted at Trentham Camp on 20 December 1914. He served as a Gunner in the Howitzer Battery, NZFA, embarking from NZ on 14/2/1915. While serving on Gallipoli he became ill and was admitted to the Hospital ship at Anzac Cove on 6 June 1915 and then transferred to 1st Australian General. Hospital, Cairo on 12 June 1915. After a short time in convalescent camp he was invalided back to New Zealand as permanently unfit and was discharged on medical grounds on 25 September 1915, returning to Te Aroha where he died two years later on 6 October 1917, leaving a wife, Alice Fanny Harkin, and ten children, two of whom born following his return to New Zealand.