The initial troops sent to war sailed from Wellington August 1914, and were known as the "Main Body". Thereafter all subsequent details of troops were numbered as "Reinforcements" - and within weeks of the Main Body the first reinforcements departed. These groups were identified by individually designed hat and collar badges.
Various numbers of men were detailed to each of these reinforcements, and towards the end of the war some of the reinforcements were relatively small numbers of men. Consequently these later reinforcements had fewer badges presented. To-day some these badges are much sought after collectors pieces, bringing about much interest when they are presented for auction or sale.