No Better Death Read online

  Typical pages from Malone’s 1909 military notebook. The top page shows the Battle of Albuera, a costly engagement fought between an Anglo-Portuguese army and a French Army on 16 May 1811. The bottom page sets out the organisation of an infantry battalion.

  Malone Family Collection Wellington (now in ATL)

  When the First World War broke out in August 1914, New Zealand raised the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) for service overseas in accordance with Imperial defence plans. On 6 August, Malone was one of the first officers to offer to serve in the new force, which was raised from volunteers drawn from throughout New Zealand. His reputation as an extremely capable officer led to him being offered command of the Wellington Infantry Battalion of the NZEF even though he was 55 years of age. The other NZEF infantry battalion commanders were 36, 37 and 45 years of age. Malone received the telegram notifying him of his appointment on 8 August 1914, exactly a year before his death, and only three days after the outbreak of war between the British Empire and Germany.72 Mobilisation camps for the expeditionary force were established in each of the four military districts. The Wellington district’s camp was set up at the Awapuni Racecourse near Palmerston North. It was the largest of the four camps, as it included not only the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment and Wellington Infantry Battalion, but also the force’s artillery and other divisional units.73

  On the same day he offered to serve in the NZEF, Malone began to keep a detailed diary along with copies of his personal correspondence and some of his official or demi-official military correspondence. Like so many New Zealanders, Malone spent the first few days of August 1914 getting his personal affairs in order. He prepared a balance sheet of his assets and liabilities and on 11 August signed a new will.74 All Malone’s adult sons followed their father’s example. Brian joined the force assembled to seize German Samoa and sailed from New Zealand on 15 August 1914. Terence and Edmond both enlisted in the Wellington Mounted Rifles on 15 August 1914 and Maurice volunteered in April 1915. Maurice added a year to his age so that he could enlist. His father, who would have been well aware of the age limits for service in the NZEF, seems to have turned a blind eye to Maurice’s deception.75

  The Wellington Infantry Battalion’s organisation, like that of other units of the expeditionary force, rested on the Territorial Force. Each infantry regiment in the Wellington Military District was responsible for recruiting a double company of the new unit, which was named after it and wore its badge. Such characteristics fostered a strong sense of competition between the different companies of the battalion. The new battalion had four companies the: 7th Wellington West Coast Company [often referred to by Malone as the West Coast Company], the 11th Taranaki Company, the 9th Hawkes Bay Company and the 17th Ruahine Company. Each company was 227 strong and the whole battalion had a strength of just over 1000. Malone was fortunate in that he had a number of exceptionally capable officers serving in his unit; three of the battalion’s five majors, Herbert Hart, Robert Young and William Cunningham, later rose to become generals. The Wellington Infantry Battalion adopted the distinctive lemon squeezer hat of Malone’s Territorial regiment. In 1916 the lemon squeezer hat was adopted for use throughout the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and still forms a key part of the ceremonial uniform of the New Zealand Army.76

  Malone in about 1910, in full dress uniform, probably taken on his promotion to lieutenant-colonel.

  Malone Family Collection Wellington (now in ATL)

  When he was formally attested [enlisted] into the NZEF on 31 August 1914, Malone was described as having a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair; being 5 feet 11 inches[1 metre 80 centimetres] tall and weighing 160 pounds[72.5 kilograms].77 Malone did not welcome the Great War, but he faced it confident that his years of preparation would stand him in good stead and with a degree of excitement about what the conflict would mean for him.78

  1

  Saying goodbye and preparing for war

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  New Zealand to Egypt, August–December 1914

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  [MSX 2541]

  August 6th 1914

  War declared by Britain against Germany. I offered my services to NZ Defence Department for work in N[ew] Zealand or abroad.

  August 8th 1914

  My offer accepted and I [sic] appointed to command Wellington Infantry Regiment – being raised.

  August 9th 1914

  Saw Mayor of New Plymouth and tried to persuade him to get mayors of towns in the Wellington Military District to raise Regimental Funds for Wellington Regiment. I saw also Editors of Taranaki Herald and Taranaki Daily News. The Mayor and Herald Editor received my request somewhat coldly – “a prophet is not without honour except in his own country”! Returned with Mater and children to the Farlands, Stratford to prepare for my departure with my Regiment. Handed command of XI Regt (Taranaki Rifles) over to Major Bellringer,1 my 2nd in command.

  ‘The Farlands’, Stratford, the family home from which Malone went to war.

  Malone Family Collection Wellington (now in ATL)

  The programme for a musical comedy put on in Masterton to raise funds to assist the men of the expeditionary force then assembling in Palmerston North. The show raised more than £100.

  Wairarapa Archive

  Malone attached great importance to the establishment of a regimental fund which could be used to purchase food to supplement government rations, comforts for wounded soldiers and a variety of other purposes. Malone thought such a fund would be especially useful in places ‘where gold talks’. He was opposed to the establishment of small company funds and stressed that the regimental fund should have clear rules and keep proper accounts. Malone worked assiduously and effectively to convince community leaders to support the fund. Although less money was subscribed than he had hoped, the regimental fund proved a great boon to the men of the Wellington Infantry Battalion. It appears that the Wellington Battalion was the first NZEF unit to establish a welfare fund. This initiative is a good example of Malone’s practical and thoughtful approach to his duties. [‘Memorandum Re-Regimental Fund’, nd but Sep 1914, Malone to Bellringer, 30 Aug 1914, MSX-2548, ATL; Wanganui Chronicle, 5 Sep 1914, pp.4, 8, 12 Oct1915, p.6; Hawera and Normanby Star, 19 Sep 1914, p.6.]

  August 13th 1914

  Proceeded to Palmerston N[orth] and to Camp at Awapuni. Appointing staff. Not satisfied with Adjutant appointed by G.O.C. to my Regt [acting Maj William Robinson].2 Very pleased to find Major Hart my 2nd in command.3 Only about 150 men came in.

  August 17th 1914

  Returned to Awapuni Camp. Matters bar Adjutant going all right. Major Hart reports adjutant as no good. Saw O/C I. [Infantry] Brigade as to shifting him.4 He didn’t like the idea.

  August 18th 1914

  Organising Regt. Testing adjutant. Quite satisfied he must go. Saw O/C Brigade again and said sending in written report and request for Adjutant’s removal.

  August 19th 1914

  Still organising and equipping Regt. Written report to O/C Brigade requesting removal of adjutant and informing could not carry on with him.5 Adjutant removed and my Adjutant of XI Regt (T Rifles) appointed6 – to my pleasure.

  August 20th to September 23rd 1914

  Completing equipment and organisation of Regiment. Training same. Men improving as the O/C Brigade said astoundingly. They are of all classes. Sons of wealthy run holders, farmers, schoolmasters, scholars, M.A., B.A.s, musicians, tradesmen, mechanics, lawyers and all sorts. They will make good soldiers and the Regt I trust will lead the other Regts in the Brigade. I will do my best to make it. The weather has been glorious – no rain. We bivouacked three nights at Highden and one night at Feilding. We have established a Brass Band and it does well.

  Malone was in many ways an austere man who drove those under his command hard in his efforts to make his battalion an outstanding unit. Nonetheless, he had a good sense of humour, as two incidents relating to Malone’s insistence at Awapuni camp that the officers and men of the Wellingto
n Infantry Battalion have their hair cut very short demonstrate. After ordering that all ranks receive a ‘close crop’, Malone held a full battalion parade. As he inspected the men he remarked with satisfaction: ‘no flies on this Regiment – and, by God, no fleas.’ He then noticed Private Leonard McCracken ‘had left a nice long lock in front to brush over. The old man’s eye shone wrath and in a bellowing voice he asked Mac who was running the regiment. To the surprise of everyone McCracken replied, “Well, you’re getting paid for it, Sir.” For once the old man was bluffed and his eye twinkled as he moved on.’ [ Primus in Armis: Journal of the Taranaki Regiment, vol.1, Jul 1936, p.93.] At much the same time the question of hair length was raised at the camp officers’ mess. Malone pointed out with pride the almost shaven head of one of his young officers. Lieutenant-Colonel William Meldrum, the commander of the Wellington Mounted Rifles, with which Malone’s battalion had a friendly rivalry, responded by getting one of his officers who was bald to stand up and remarking: ‘Gentlemen, this is how we do it in the Mounteds.’ This exchange prompted hearty laughter from officers present with ‘no one appreciating the joke more than Colonel Malone’. [A.H. Wilkie, Official War History of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment: 1914-1919 (Auckland, 1924), p.4.]

  [MSX 2548]

  Awapuni

  21 August 1914

  My dear Harry and Charlie [Penn]

  I enclose notes, etc, to help you in my affairs. I have been going 6am to 10pm here since I came down and until now ... have had no time to write you further.

  23 August 1914

  I had no time to write further. I now have Harry’s letter of 21st Inst....

  I am much obliged to you Harry for the £400. I am sorry that I didn’t keep a closer hold on ready money, but I didn’t anticipate the need.

  Things here are going well. I have had a lot of trouble getting my staff together. The G.O.C. gave me an adjutant, no good and I had to put up with him for a week, then got him shifted and now have McDonnell who is right. My QM came in last night, Shepherd,8 also Dr Home9 so the show will soon be “going”. The XI Taranaki Rifles, is well represented. My other officers are good and fair. I am not sure that I haven’t made a mistake in giving Furby a show after all we will see.10 The rank and file after a lot of weeding out will be all right. I am busy getting their hair cut!! Weather A1. We hope to be allowed to march to Wellington instead of entraining. I hope that Stratford people will do something to give us a Regimental Fund. I could spend money now in “refreshment” of the men. A few cases of apples a day after a march would do them good and be much appreciated.

  Malone and the other officers of the Wellington Battalion at Awapuni Camp. Sitting, from left to right: Rev. Bush-King (Chaplain), Maj Brunt, Maj Saunders, Maj Hart (second in command), Lt-Col Malone (officer commanding), Capt McDonnell (adjutant), Maj Young, Maj Cunningham, Capt Home. Middle row: Lts Wilson, Bryan, Turnbull, Watson, McKinnon, Wells, Cowan, Morison, Furby, Jardine, Capt Short, Quartermaster Capt Shepherd. Back row: Lts Cross, Urquhart, Hugo, McColl, Narbey, Lee, Harston, McLernon. [ Auckland Weekly News, 3 September 1914.]

  Alexander Turnbull Library

  The Wellington Infantry Battalion, and the Wellington Mounted Rifles, drawn up in review order for inspection by Major-General Sir Alexander Godley on 24 August 1914, at Palmerston North’s Awapuni racecourse. [ Auckland Weekly News, 3 September 1914.]

  Alexander Turnbull Library

  With love to you both and your respective wives.

  Yours gratefully and affectionately,

  Wm.G. Malone

  Camp, Sunday

  [23 August 1914]

  My dear wife

  I have a little time to spare so seize to write you a note. I have been expecting one from you but so far none. No doubt you are like me very busy. Things are going well now.

  I have my staff complete. Capt McDonnell, Capt Home, Capt Shepherd (QM) came in last night and are right into the collar. Good men and true. The men are shaking down and when weeded over will do NZ credit. We keep on tramping them in and out. Yesterday I gave them a little variety, by giving them an imaginary enemy to scrap against as they marched along. They made lots of mistakes but on the whole did wonderfully well for men among whom were several, many who have only just now had a rifle put in their hands. They enjoyed it and it relieved the monotony of the march. I am getting very fit. Hart and I have started a mile run round the course every morning. The GOC inspects tomorrow....

  How are the boys and Mollie? Do they miss me? I am afraid not. Tell them to be good so as to please Daddy. The boys to be little straight men and Mollie her sweet self.

  With all my love.

  Your loving husband.

  Awapuni

  26 August 1914

  Dear Mrs Wickham

  ...The men are in good health and spirits and will I am sure do credit to their country. I feel myself as if at last I could do something for my country. I used to have a feeling that I had done nothing. My dear wife is very brave. She in no way tried to prevent me doing my duty, and would not stop me if she could. I am in the hands of the Almighty and if He so wills it, shall be back to home and my adopted country in due course.

  With my kindest regards to you and you daughter.

  Yours very sincerely,

  Wm.G. Malone

  Awapuni

  26 August 1914

  Dear Laurenson

  ...I am glad that I had so prepared, that I was able to offer services which are of use.

  I leave a lucrative practice, a good and very happy home, a brave wife and children, without any hesitation. I feel that I am just beginning to live. Stodging11 away money making, was no man’s game. The old country, and its dependencies have almost their existence at stake and it is no time for those qualified to act to stand by....

  With kind regards.

  Yours sincerely,

  Wm.G. Malone

  Awapuni Camp

  26 August 1914

  Dear Mrs Lepper12

  ...I shall be only too pleased to do what I can for your boy as well as all his comrades. Their mothers needn’t worry about them. I have taken the responsibility of their care and will do my duty....

  Yours sincerely

  Wm.G. Malone

  Awapuni

  4 September 1914

  My dear Harry [Penn]

  ...Re house. You are quite right and will not be surprised if you cannot let it suitably.

  Re boots. The Headquarters people should not have asked for boots (in specie). We wanted the money, so as to get a uniform suitable soldier’s boot. The Government boot is a poor one. I made out a specification and on it Harris has supplied 250 pairs of splendid boots at 15/-[shillings] per pair. However, the bulk of the boots sent down will come in and are better than nothing. Too many good people acting. Thanks re Regimental Fund Wairarapa in one act gave us £1,000 and will without hesitation make up the other £700 which we want for both MR [Mounted Rifles] and Infantry. Don’t listen to any paltry ideas of putting us off with 10/-per man and then handing the rest of the money to Government! Already we could spend money to advantage. People talk about our going to garrison but there is not the least doubt in my mind from what I get from the “cognocente” [sic, cognoscenti] that we are going, after probably a month’s training in England or France, to the front. There seems some doubt as to the ability of the Higher Commanders in the French Army, their trouble in the 1870-1 war. The men I believe to be A1 but rotten brutes like Clemenceau13 and co (who prided themselves on having driven God out of the schools and said they would drive Him out of the country, and who blackmarked every true Catholic officer in the army) were obviously vicious and corrupt and approachable by vicious command seekers. I hope I am wrong, but it does seem that there is something wrong with the French Army. I am afraid that if little Belgium and England had not been to the fore, things would have been bad for France....

  The Wairarapa Patriotic Committee organised local ladies to pack comfort parcels for the tro
ops at the front. Woman played a vital and increasingly important role in New Zealand’s war effort during the First World War.

  Wairarapa Archive

  W.G. Malone

  The Regiment is breaking in well.

  Awapuni

  Sunday, 20 September 1914

  My dear wife

  I duly received your letter card and was sorry that you could not come up last night. I have been hanging about all day and have so wished that you were here.14 It is a lovely day and all is well. I got Norah’s postcard, but I could not get down. We get away very soon now and there are lots of things to see to and time is short. I have got my new boots and though they look like glorified sandles [sic, sandals] or leather puddings, they fit me and my feet are comfortable....

  Wellington infantrymen march through the square in Palmerston North on 12 September, alongside loaded general service wagons. [Auckland Weekly News, 24 September 1914]

  Alexander Turnbull Library

  Don’t forget my warm singlets and my ‘washing’. I believe, however, we will go home via Australia, Colombo, Suez and the Mediterranean.

  I hope that you are quite well.... I shall be so glad to see you on Wednesday. All my love to you.