Officer's travelling trunk

This officer's travelling trunk belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel William George Malone (1859-1915), one of New Zealand's most outstanding soldiers of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War (1914-19).

On the outbreak of war in August 1914, Malone was appointed to command the Wellington Infantry Battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force which included over 1000 men.

At 55, Malone was the oldest infantry battalion commander, but was successful in building a strong and ordered force on Gallipoli. He fought his superiors for building materials and basic comforts for his men. Through determination and hard work, he transformed weak defences into ordered garrisons which dominated their Turkish opponents.

The Wellington Battalion played a pivotal part in the August offensive on Chunuk Bair, seizing it on 8 August 1915. Malone personally led counter-attacks to keep the crest clear of Turkish troops. Supporting fire, probably from a New Zealand battery, burst over Malone’s trench and killed him.

Malone was an outstanding battalion commander. His actions in August 1915 almost compensated for the ineptitude of his superior commanders. His tenacious spirit, leadership, and care of his men, showed in the Wellington Battalion’s actions during the offensive on Chunuk Bair.

Malone’s death and related events left his family scattered between Britain and New Zealand. His wife Ida Malone had travelled from New Zealand with their three young children to wait for him in Britain, and the trunk would have been sent to her. Her life was blighted by her husband’s death and her straitened circumstances. She never returned to New Zealand.