No Better Death Page 5
Your husband.
Love to Norah.
Awapuni
22 September 1914
My dear wife
I have just got word from Norah of Denis’s illness. I do hope that neither measles or fever will affect him. I am so sorry that the poor little chap should be laid up, and hope that in any case he will soon be all right. Give him a good kiss from me and tell him how disappointed I shall be at not seeing him on the wharf. I suppose that I shall not be able to see you either. It seems ages since I saw you and I was so looking forward to having the last hours of time in NZ with you. However, I might have been away weeks ago so I mustn’t growl.
I was expecting a letter from you yesterday or today but I understand now how Denis’s illness has upset you.
I enclose “Embarkation Orders”.15 I thought you might like to keep it and show it to the kiddies in later years as my name is on it. It is private at present until we go.
We are very busy packing up and fitting up. A beautiful day, our luck has been very good. With all my love.
Your loving husband.
Awapuni
22 September 1914
My dear Norah
Your letter to hand. I am so sorry to hear about Denis. I have written to Mater. Please send the letter on to her.
A photograph of senior NZEF officers published in the Auckland Weekly News of 24 September 1914.
Front row, from left: Maj J.G. Hughes, DSO; Lt-Col C.M. Hogg; Lt-Col C.E. Thomas; Lt-Col G.J. Reakes; Col W.J. Will, VD; Col A.H. Russell; Col E.W.C. Chaytor, TD; Maj-Gen Sir Alexander J. Godley, KCMG, CB; Lt-Col W.G. Braithwaite, DSO; Col F.E. Johnston; Lt-Col A. Bauchop, CMG; Lt-Col J.J. Esson; Lt-Col W.G. Malone; Lt-Col A. Plugge; Lt-Col J. Findlay.
Middle row, from left: Maj F. Chapman; Lt-Col T.W. McDonald; Lt-Col C.F.R. Mackesy; Capt H.G. Reid; Capt L.M. Shera; Lt-Col W. Meldrum; Capt J.R. Henderson; 2nd-Lt Tahu Rhodes, ADC; Maj A.C. Temperley; Capt N.W.B.E. Thoms; Capt C.L. Hawkins; Capt G.A. King; Capt J.H. Primmer; Capt F.G. Hume; Capt D.B. Blair.
Top row, from left: Capt A.C.B. Critchley-Salmonson; Capt C. Shawe; Maj J.H. Whyte; Lt-Col D.McB. Stewart; Capt H.C. Glendining; Capt F. Hudson; Capt H.M. Edwards; Capt A. Moore, DSO; Capt C.G. Powles; Capt M. McDonnell.
Alexander Turnbull Library
I shall be in Wellington tomorrow, arriving about 1.15pm. From what the Hon Allen16 said our time in NZ is now short. We will be pleased in a way to get off. Still we have had glorious weather and have put in plenty of good work. The men are A1 and will do NZ credit I really believe.
The war will be, I believe, of considerable length. Kitchener17 says three years and he ought to know. I think a good bit less myself. We shall see. As the Spaniards say: Veremos lo que veremos.18 You must my dear girl be a help to Mater while I am away. You will not I am sure think of running your own gait.19 Mater has been better to all you children than any other one than your own mother could have been.20 Be careful whose acquaintance you make and be not carried away by first impressions. You can always look to Mater for good advice and every consideration. I want you to be a good housekeeper and to remember that the Pagan Japanese deem domestic work honourable. All real work is. I have I think always worked hard myself and should like my children to follow in my steps.
Do what you have in hand with all your intelligence, will and might. We cannot be too thorough. Work first, fee second as Ruskin puts it.
I hope that you will write me as often and as fully as you can. Keep up your music. Be always true. Have nothing to do with deceit, no matter how petty. Help make the small ones good lads and nice[?] and Molly true and sweet.
With much love from your loving father.
[MSX 2541]
September 23rd 1914
We entrain for Wellington and embark. The embarkation staff is no good. Absolutely chaos on the ships. I wish I had gone down ahead of the troops. Very glad to see Mater and Norah again. Dined with Captain N.C. Hamilton, ASC.21 He is a good chap and spoke well of Brian22 and said [he] had recommended him for a commission. He said if he had known, that the 1st lot were going to Samoa he would have kept Brian for this force, for Europe.
September 24th 1914
Straightening up the transport No.10., Arawa.23 She is filthy. I do not understand the other men who embarked before us. All troops marched to Newtown Park for farewell ceremony. Too much speechifying and praying. Before show over rain fell. March back by the longest way to ship. Raining all the way, crowds of people lined the way. The transports moved out and anchored in the stream. My cabin A, which I have to myself, is very comfortable. Men settling down.
September 25th 1914
Blowing hard. Busy inspecting men’s quarters and straightening things out. Men keen I think to be clean – but the Govt absolutely parsimonious in such small things as deck scrapers, sand soap and tea towels!! They do not understand “housekeeping”. I am, if we get the chance, going to buy same out of R/fund [Regimental fund]. I fear greatly much sickness if we don’t clean up and keep clean. Captain Clayden,24 master of the ship, inspected. He is a clean man and all will be right I think. Lt Col Johnston, RA,25 has his wife and one child Hilda on board. He is a real good fellow. His wife seems nice and sensible. I was pleased to hear her voice Mater’s feelings as to “society” women golfing and “bridging”. She too, like Mater, prefers to be at home to receive her husband and look after him and her family. Hilda is a good and nice child. I shall not I think have to “break her in” as I volunteered to do if required. We have been expecting to sail every hour. Now at 9pm. I know that I shall be able to go and see Mater and Denis tomorrow. I am so glad. Things were so hurried that I did [not?] seem able to say goodbye properly to Mater and Norah yesterday. Mater was looking very sweet and pretty and young. She is brave, all right. I feel very proud of her. Molly is a loving child and looks very well. Edmond and Terry are on the Arawa, in A Squadron, 2nd M.R. [Wellington Mounted Rifles]. I am glad that three of my boys volunteered without hesitation to serve and fight for their country. Maurice too will come next May when he is 20 – (youngest age for service) – if the war is not then over. I don’t think it will be.
Wellington Infantry Battalion prepares to embark on the Shaw Savill & Albion liner, SS Arawa, renamed HMNZT No.10 for its NZEF charter, at the Railway Wharf, Wellington.
Fitchett Album, Alexander Turnbull Library
Wellington infantrymen formed up at Newtown Park to be farewelled by the Governor and the people of Wellington. Malone was more concerned with the state of his troopship, and felt there was ‘too much speechifying and praying’.
Alexander Turnbull Library
I feel very well. This life suits me, mind and body. It is a man’s life. I wonder if I shall come back or leave my bones in Europe but I am content. I am in God’s hands and no death can be better. But I do not feel anxious – I look forward to coming back to my dear wife and children. We have just heard that we do not sail for a time yet. We are all very disappointed. Still I wanted to see Denis – who Mater says is not well. We can too spend the time profitably in training. Plenty of marching – say to Trentham and target practice there. We tie up at the wharf again on Monday. The FA [Field Artillery] and MR disembark and camp at Hutt and Trentham respectively. We (WIR) [Wellington Infantry Regiment] remain on board but go ashore every day for training. Our equipment was not quite complete. I welcome the chance to buy more soap!, disinfectants!, scrapers and what not. Besides for myself I want some music.26
On 25 September before he heard that the sailing of the convoy had been delayed, Malone wrote a brief letter to Ida, which is not in the collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library, but is held by the Malone family in London:
My dearest
We are off in a very short time. It has been all so hurried that somehow we didn’t seem able to say goodbye properly. Still we know how we feel and love one another. My thoughts will, when I am not on duty, be with you and the children. You are a brave woman and will I know bear yourself as a brave woman.... You know that it i
s as duty calls that I am leaving you and home and that I am in God’s good hands and will be as safe abroad as at home. Teach the children the doctrine of work and duty – duty to themselves – their fellows and above all to their country!
With all my love to you and all.
Your husband.
26th–29th September
Malone visited his wife and young children who were staying in Lower Hutt and was busy supervising his battalion’s training at Miramar.
September 30th 1914
Regiment marched to Miramar and returned to ship by 4.30pm. I and Capt Cox27 rode back to ship for lunch and then rode out to Karori to select ground for Coy [Company] attack practice on Friday next ... We found good ground for our work. It blew great guns on the ridge. Good sheep country about 1 1/2 to the acre.... No weeds but some gorse. A most lovely view is obtained from a high knoll on the ridge of Wellington Harbour and Bays and coast, across to South Island. There can hardly be anything finer. Some day I hope to take Mater up and show her. She would enjoy it I know. Rode back to ship for dinner. Went out to Lower Hutt and stayed with Mater until next morning.
Malone’s photograph of Ida and Norah at the Wellington wharves after they had said goodbye, 25 September 1914.
Malone Family Collection London
October 1st 1914
Regt trained to Trentham. Target practice etc all day. Returned to ship by 5.30pm. After dinner everybody ashore so I played or tried to play the new Schumann music Norah got for me. Mater was to have come in and gone with me to the theatre to see a good company and stay at Hotel Cecil the night. But as Denis was bad again she could not come much to my disappointment.
October 2nd 1914
Regt to Karori for attack practice. The Brigadier, Col F.E. Johnston spent most of the day with us. The work by Coy Commanders was not too good. The ground was rough and circumstance novel to them. An interesting and enjoyable day. Col J is a fine fellow, a New Zealander-born, his father the Hon Mr Johnston. Returned to ship by 4.30pm.
October 3rd 1914
Regt remained on ship washing clothes, airing bedding and blankets. I inspected Regt and did a good growl, all round. Think it will do good. Paraded all officers and went for them for not arranging facilities for men to wash their clothes and criticized work (attack) of yesterday. Sports at Newtown Park this afternoon. I stay on ship expecting Mater to come on board and see it. Now 3.20pm and she hasn’t turned up. Speaking to Col Johnston, R.A. O/C Troops and not the Col Johnston our Brigadier. He said he had dined with Hon Allen Minister for Defence last night and had reported the Wellington Inf. Regt as best of troops, in discipline, drill and generally, and had given me the credit for its progress and satisfactory position. Very kind of him.
October 4th 1914 – Sunday
Went out to Lower Hutt. Denis much better but Barney sickening. Mater, Norah and I went for a walk round in the afternoon. Many pretty gardens. Flowers grow well.
October 5th 1914
Back to ship. Regt to Trentham, target practice. NCOs put under Sgt Major Parks28 for instruction. Men’s shooting improving and they are getting keen on it and are looking forward to shooting Germans.
Wellington Battalion men relaxing during training at Karori.
Malone Family Collection London
October 6th 1914
Regiment to Karori Hills, company in attack practice – not well done. Officers don’t rise to the occasion. Must peg away at them until they do.
October 7th 1914
Field operations at Miramar. We marched via Newtown and met the Otago Battalion, who attacked us in German fashion across the golf links. We were firing into them at 400 yards, while they were in columns of 4s. Their supports got up in masses – within 50 yards of front line. They however displayed wonderful vitality (thanks to blank cartridges) and tried to rush us. Result the umpires sounded “stand fast”, just as I was putting my reserve (1 Coy) in counter attack on Otago left flank. The show absurdly hurried. Duration 3/4 of an hour.
October 10th 1914
All troops marched to Lower Hutt and back – a vile day. Hurricane blowing 60 miles an hour. Left at 10am, got back at 6pm. The men marched well and none fell out. Col Chaytor,29 A.G. [Adjutant General] came and specially congratulated the Regt on its march discipline and said we were easily first as compared with the other Regts. I felt rewarded for all my growling and work. I am quite proud of the Regt. Col Chaytor said it would create a sensation at home. Dined at Govt House with Mater. She looked so nice. She didn’t want to come but enjoyed herself after all.... I had a good yarn with Her Excellency who referred to Mater’s gift of lilac30 last September. Stayed with Mater at Hotel Cecil.
October 13th 1914
...Went with Regt to Miramar – attack practice. Not Good Enough. I sailed31 for two of Coy [Company] Commanders. Determined to go back to most elementary work and take each company myself or get Hart and McDonnell to do so. I have given the Commanders a good show and they cannot train their Coys because they don’t know their work. I have been too considerate....
October 14th 1914
HMS Minotaur, armoured cruiser and the Jap armoured cruiser Ibuku [sic Ibuki] arrived to convoy us or help convoy. HMS Psyche and [HMS] Torch are also here. We go soon. Went ashore to buy a razor and pay a bill. Got some money. Saw three Jap officers in Whitcombe & Tombs. Maps! were their quest, always out for intelligence. I suppose we shall be at war with them within 10 years. I like the look of the officers and have always admired the Jap people. They appear to me to be patriotic – abstemious, industrious, brave and clean. They worship their ancestors and their children. They would make I believe A1 Christians. They are I believe honest except as to their traders who form the ignoble class. Domestic labour is noble. Mater came to lunch and met Hon Mr Allen, the Minister for Defence and his daughter, a Mrs Montgomerie. Allen was quite nice to me which I thought remarkable after all my growling about the rotten embarkation arrangements. Not his fault tho’!, those arrangements.32 At 4pm we went out and anchored in stream as did all the other transports. It won’t be long now! Poor Mater – broke down but is a brave woman and will soon be all right. Mot [Maurice Malone] was bringing the car down from Stratford and should have been here yesterday, but broke down at Sandon.33 We shall soon be sailing now. The weather since we went into camp at Awapuni has been wonderful, not a real wet day. May our good luck continue. My influenza is nearly right. I want no more of it. I took photos of the men of war and transports.
October 15th 1914, Thursday
Still at anchor in Wellington Harbour – 13 transports, two a/[armoured] cruisers. A cold windy day. We expect to sail tomorrow morning at 6am. So may it be. We go I believe via Australia and Suez Canal. Everybody in a good humour and stowing away. Miss Lawrence came off to see Lowe34 and had quite a stay on board. A.W. Reid of Stratford turned up too to see his son.35 I discovered that a Captain Vet Surgeon Walker is as fond of classical music as I am. I lent him my music and he enjoyed himself trying some of it. He doesn’t play badly, about my equal.
October 16th 1914, Friday
The day. We sailed at about 6am this morning. Everything almost was affective. It was a quiet calm grey and misty morning. Nature was mysterious – as befitted the quiet unannounced departure of our Force. No noise, anchor got up quietly and each ship seemed to slip away and take up its place in the line. HMS Minotaur led the way then followed in order, the Jap armoured cruiser Ibuki, the Maunganui (General Godley’s ship), Star of India, Hawkes Bay, Limerick, Tahiti, (this ship) Arawa, Athenic, Orari, Waimana, HMS Philomel and HMS Psyche.36 A most impressive sight, grim but harmonious. All was grey bar men. We were cheery and pleased to be moving at last. After we had got some 40 miles to sea, a convoy fleet was made up....
The day turned out warm and sunny, the sea smooth. Our speed is about 11 knots an hour.37 Our course apparently straight for Hobart. In the morning I was greatly put out by McDonnell – at 6.30am Brunt and Saunders came and asked that men be excused physical drill
that “they might see the Heads”. I promptly refused. Then [all] of a sudden the band struck up! Too cheap for anything. Most inharmonious. In enquiry I found that McDonnell had taken on himself to order the band to play. I stopped it at once. I went for McDonnell. He won’t try and run my Regiment again. It was about time he was put into his place. After officers’ P/drill [Physical drill] I called all mine together and told them that the spirit of the Regiment was to be a doing of its work grimly and quietly without any beating of its chest or banging of drums! That to any right thinking soldier the striking up of our band with tune, I think, “everybody’s doing it” or some such blatant air was shocking. I am afraid that they didn’t all agree with me but they will learn. I again had to go for McDonnell. I had told my officers to wear belts on duty. He calmly said “It was against ships orders” (he prepared them as Ship’s adjutant). I denied this and went off to see Col [G.N.] Johnston, O/C troops. I overheard McDonnell saying he (meaning me) can’t go against King’s Regulations. I promptly looked up King’s Regulations and found that there was nothing in them against wearing of belts. They say officers will wear belts on duty. I promptly went for McDonnell and straightened him up. He is not loyal. He is spoilt. Partly my fault too – you can’t make a silk purse out of [a] sows ear, and you can’t make an “officer” in the best sense out of [a] sergeant major. McDonnell is still a sergeant major in character and is I am afraid too old to learn otherwise. If he does not alter his ways, I will leave him at the base. He asked to be relieved of the Regt adjutancy while he is ship’s adjutant and I agreed, this before he kicked over the traces.38 I am glad I agreed. I appointed Cox Acting and he and I can run things better without McDonnell.