It was one of 12 regionally based mounted rifles regiments formed as part of the new Territorial Force (TF) organisation that came into existence on that day.

In 1914 the new mounted regiments of the NZEF were given provincial names corresponding to the military district in which they were raised – Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury or Otago.

[2][3] The cap and collar badges for the 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles, a horse rampant over the regimental motto.

On 1 April 1956 the unit was renamed the 4th Armoured Regiment (Wellington East Coast) RNZAC with the Headquarters based in Hastings.

In this approval letter the Chief of Army also directed that the Wellington East Coast Guidon be formally laid up and kept in the preserve of Hastings District Council.

Initially The New Zealand Mounted Rifles regiments were not authorised to carry a standard of any kind, with the result that it was necessary to request permission from the Imperial authorities.

The guidon of the 9th Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles Regiment is unique for its distinct New Zealand design and incorporation of the regional black and white of Hawke’s Bay.

In the centre is the badge of the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles in gold, surrounded by a wreath of green New Zealand ferns.

In rendering this service as in all other matters where we can serve or advance the interest of the Regiment we shall continue to feel a high sense of privilege.The Mayor then requested Captain Matthews to hang the Guidon in the case on the Council Chamber wall.

The guidon was most recently retrieved by the Wellington East Coast Squadron, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles on Armistice Day 2021.

The guidon was retrieved from its cases and paraded to the forecourt of the Hastings District Council Civic Administration Building before being encased and returned to Linton Camp in an armoured vehicle.