Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

In some sources the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment is written with the longer title "Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own)". However, following the actions of the Duke of York (Prince Andrew) and his removal as colonel-in-chief of the regiment in 2022, the use of “(The Duke of York's Own)” seems inappropriate.

1. What is the correct, official title of this unit? Is the addition of “(The Duke of York's Own)” an informal addition, or is it part of the full title and sometimes just omitted for brevity?

2a. If the use of “(The Duke of York's Own)” is part of the official title, since when has this been in use and are there any intentions to remove it?

2b. If the use of “(The Duke of York's Own)” is not part of the official title, has it ever been part of the official title and over what period was it in use?

Yours faithfully,

Stanley Bannerman

Dear Ministerial Services,

Thank you for your reply

In the interim between making the original request and receiving your reply I came across an interesting source, which seems to be at odds with your reply.

The source in question is a master’s thesis entitled “Wagons of War: A History of 10 Transport Company 1951-2011” by Grant Morris (Massey University, 2012, https://mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/handl...).

On pages 90-91, Morris claims that:
“Then, in June the following year, Her Majesty the Queen approved the appellation “The Duke of York’s Own” being added to the title of the “Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment”.

Morris bases this statement on a letter between Major General M.F Dodson, Chief of General Staff, to Lieutenant Colonel D.H. Watmuff, Regimental Colonel RNZALR, dated 22 June 1999.

The letter in question was apparently reproduced on page 20 of a pdf document referred to as the “RNZALR History Book”, which at the time (accessed 14 June 2010) was available on the NZDF Intranet at http://org/l-tts/General%20 Docs/RNZALR %20History%20Book.pdf

1. I would like to request a copy of the RNZALR History Book pdf document so that I can check the validity of Morris’ claim as it stands in stark contrast to the NZDF’s position on this matter.

2. Even if the term “The Duke of York’s Own” is only an informal term, does the NZDF have any intentions to discontinue its use, given it currently appears throughout the NZDF website, e.g.

https://www.defencecareers.mil.nz/army/c...
https://www.defencecareers.mil.nz/army/c...

Likewise I note that it appears in in other government departments e.g.

https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/...

Yours sincerely,

Stanley Bannerman

Dear Corporate and Ministerial Services,

In your reply of 13 July 2023, you stated:

“The correct title of the unit is Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment. Approval has not been sought or given for it to be styled “The Duke of York’s Own”. Reference to “The Duke of York’s Own” is informal and has uncertain origins.”

However, in the document “History of the New Zealand Logistic Regiment”, supplied in your reply of 14 August 2023 a letter is provided from the Chief of General Staff (dated 22 June 1999) stating:

“I am pleased to inform you that The Queen has approved the appellation “Duke of York’s Own” being added to the “Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment””

1. Which one of these statements is correct?
2. Could you please explain how these two statements are consistent with each other?

One would assume that under New Zealand’s constitutional monarchy, approval by the reigning monarch would be the highest level of officialdom.

3. Does the NZDF consider decisions by the New Zealand monarch to be official NZDF/government policy?

The 22 June 1999 letter would seem to suggest that "Duke of York's Own" was indeed officially approved and, in light of no other information of it being rescinded, still is.

4. Does the NZDF have a process to officially define unit titles? What is the process or requirements for a title to be considered official? Does an official process need to take place to change a unit's title? Does the monarch have any role in this process?

My initial request of 5 July 2023 requested a confirmation of the official title of the unit and whether the term “Duke of York’s Own” is, or had been (and over what period) the official title and I would appreciate a reconsideration of this request if your views have changed since 13 July.

Yours sincerely,

Stanley Bannerman