January 6th 1915
The Battalion out on the attack – a scheme laid out by me was on the whole well carried out. We had a section of F.A. with us 2-18 pdrs, and I was connected up with them, by field telephone and able to get shrapnel fire on any part of the enemy’s position as I desired it. It was a new experience for me, and very interesting cooperation between artillery and infantry is the thing in successful attack. It was very dusty marching home. A cold wind from the S[outh] had sprung up and naturally the air was full of sand and dust my tent was figuratively speaking full of it. It reminded me of the Mountain Wind (South Eastern) in New Plymouth in the summer time. It will probably last 3 days. I dusted out my tent, etc, twice before dinner (6pm). But is no good.
January 8th 1915
Yesterday afternoon became beastly, wind, dust and sand but at about 6pm to my great delight and refreshment came Mater’s letters of Nov 23rd and 27th in one envelope. In the latter she gives 3-page description of her garden at the Farlands, where it was wet. It was so refreshing to read it surrounded as I am by arid desert, and in the midst of a dust and sand storm. It did me a lot of good. Strange to say, I am discontented with things here. One has to take things as they are and compared with the discomforts of those[?] at the Front – ours are nothing. Mater’s letters must have come by a later mail.
This morning – the wind has gone down somewhat and we marched out to a point about 7 miles away on the Suez Road the whole Battalion, every man able to move and every horse and vehicle complete to go straight into the field. We were inspected by our Brigadier, Col F.E. Johnston. It is perhaps of interest to note what the soldier-private carries:
A rifle and bayonet.
An entrenching tool, in two parts, a handle and steel tool, the handle is carried in part attached to the bayonet scabbard. The tool part is in a web cover and is carried on the right hip.
A pack, made of webbing carried high up on the back – the top in line with the shoulders and the bottom near the waist. In it are the great coat, pair of socks, towel, spare singlet and under pants, spare shirt, razor, strop, shaving brush, soap. Boot laces, a piece of string.
Haversack – in it knife, fork and spoon. Pipe tobacco, etc, (if a smoker) 1 days ration of food.
Water bottle, filled.
120 rounds of ball ammunition in 6 pouches, 2 packets (of 10 rounds each) to each pouch.
The total weight is 65lbs[29.5kg]. The Brigadier is very pleased and complimented us highly. I naturally felt proud and I must say the Bn looked well – fit and serviceable. Real soldiers!
We had quite a nice march out and back. We went through Heliopolis, on the hard roads and so escaped the sand and dust. We enjoyed it, marching on a good road and on the desert are two very very different things.
January 9th 1915
The New Zealand Force was fallen in without arms, on 3 sides of a square, round a platform from where Hon T. Mackenzie addressed us. There were with him Genls Maxwell and Birdwood. Our General Godley of course was at our head. There was only present Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, just like the picture of him in the Bulletin. It rained last night to our intense relief and delight and so there was an end of the dust and flying sand. The air was beautiful. My New Zealand flag came in [out?] again and floated over the platform and our distinguished visitors. The address by Hon T. Mackenzie was not too good. He had evidently prepared it – but had forgotten some of it. It was not spontaneous. I heard him at Te Wera to much greater advantage. Still it was over the average speech and good. Genl Godley called for 3 cheers for the King and 8000 lusty New Zealanders took off their hats and gave the cheers. My eyes got quite moist with emotion. God Bless the King!
We then went into camp and marched past Genl Maxwell in column of route. He took up a post on the central road of our Wellington Infantry Battalion camp. As soon as I, at the head got to the end of our lines I turned off and the Regiment marching past me (this is not regulation but I was letting my Companies break off as they turned in) and could see the columns as they went by General Maxwell. They looked splendid, solid, strong and steady. I think without conceit we can take 1st place expert onlookers said so anyhow. In the afternoon I motored, in Brigade motor to Abbassiah Hospital and visited my sick men, 49 of them. They were pleased. They are all I am glad to say getting on well. We have had 2 deaths (from pneumonia) so far....
[MSX 2544]
January 13th 1915
Rode out across the desert to the Ranges. Met Genl Godley who complimented me on my Regiment saying “It is a good one”. I was naturally very pleased, for the Genl very seldom gives special praise. I told him I was setting a high standard and hoped to reach it....
January 14th 1915
Went to Cairo early, to see about necessary utensils and gear for company kitchens. Mr Crewe22 who had a holiday, went with me and interpreted. We went thro’ the Monsky23 (Bazaars), and I bought some brass and silver work, and also a cashmere shawl for Mater and Norah and family. The shawl is about 80 years old and genuine. I saw some old Persian Rugs and am to see some more on Saturday and may buy.... We then went into a silk and Indian textiles shop, and saw some lovely things. I bought some to send home. Back to camp, after a busy but enjoyable day. I spent my month’s allowance. Col Johnston (our Brigadier) and Major Temperley24 came to dinner tonight, and were very affable and seemed pleased.
January 15th 1915
Motorcycled to range, and fired the course – shot erratically. Some practices very good, and others bad. I had to just take any rifle that was at hand, and couldn’t gauge the elevation. Capt Rose25 our musketry officer says I am a natural good shot, and with practice would do very well. The men enjoyed both my bad shooting and the good.
A busy street in central Cairo, early 1915.
Malone Family Collection London
January 18th 1915
Battalion training. March. Protection on the move, ‘Attack’. I had the AG [Advance Guard] stuck up and then put 3 Coys into attack. The work fairly done, but Coy Cmdrs do not cooperate, and the Flank Coy, as usual sprayed out too wide. In the afternoon I had a marked position laid out and put the whole Battlion (as part of Brigade Attack) into action pinning the Coy Comds down to an exact frontage, so that they may get the full picture of a properly built up firing and assaulting line. Their splaying out does away with weight in the assault. I like at least 3 men deep at the finish. Our Brigadier, who unknown to us had been watching the show, came and complimented me saying: the work was “exceedingly well done”. He was easier pleased than I. There is lots of room for improvement. Back to camp by 4pm, 8 hours work. Col Chaytor came to dinner.
A Wellington Battalion machine gunner training in Egypt.
Morison Album, Alexander Turnbull Library
January 23rd 1915
An off day, grey and cold – or it seems to me so, perhaps my vaccination make me shivery.
The General (Godley) held a meeting of all the NZ officers and gave us in the course of 1 1/2 hours address, a lot of good advice on many things. He thinks the NZ Division will be the best division in the British Army! We go to Flanders when we are quite fit and properly trained, but may go elsewhere, first. The elsewhere is reckoned to be Syria. It is expected that we shall have a big fight with the Turkish Army – now said to be on its way to invade Egypt – near the Suez Canal, and then ourselves invade Syria and cut into Turkey’s possession and communications, so as to make any further invasion of Egypt out of the question. It will be, if it comes off, an interesting and instructive finish to our training in these parts. Our men are itching to get moving and fighting. We got the Brigade Musketry state, on the practices that were completed last week. The Wellington Infantry Battalion – easily holds 1st place all round. I am naturally very pleased. We knew that we led in other things, but could not know as to musketry without trial....
Work tells. Among our own 4 Coys – the W. West Coast Coy – which was on the Maunganui and away from us the whole voyage, is the worst of our
Coys. Its average of marks for score was 89.2 as against 102.0 of the best Coy (Hawkes Bay), on the Arawa. We worked the men hard in theoretical musketry and in musketry drill. We now have the reward of our labour. Last night Hart and I dined with the Crewes. A good dinner. Too good for me because afterwards sitting in a comfortable chair, in a closed room with a fire, I went to sleep while Hart and Crewe were talking!
January 24th 1915
My birthday, aged 56! Bar vaccination effect, I am very fit, hard and well. By the way I am afraid I somewhat too often record that fact....
Capt Lampen came to see me today. He stayed to lunch. Poor fellow. His glory has gone. In England it was great. He and his British Section of New Zealanders were big – in the eyes of the public. Here they have been broken up and are sort of odd men out!
Malone was inclined to scoff at the idea that the effects of vaccination against smallpox required men to have a few days on light duties. The medical officers responded by ensuring that Malone ‘received that application of vaccine to which his rank entitled him. Thereafter the Commanding Officer had no hesitation in taking his two days’ light duty.’ [Cunningham et al., Wellington Regiment, p.17.]
January 26th 1915
Last night our Brigadier informed me that the Wellington Bn (mine) and the Otago Bn were to be detached from the Brigade and be sent to El Kubri, about 5 miles N. of Suez, and that I was to command the Detachment. I was and am naturally very pleased. He said some nice things and wished me luck. We entrained, by 4 trains at intervals this morning. Captain Coningham26 of 10th Gurka [sic, Gurkha] Rifles, is my staff officer. He and I came on to El Kubri by 9.26am train, with half the Otago Bn. Reached El Kubri at 3.40pm. It is about 5 miles N. of Suez. No town, or even village, just a railway siding in the desert about 1 mile from the Canal on the West side of it. It is close to where a caravan route comes in from the interior of Asia Minor. A Turkish Force is within 10 miles. My detachment is sent here to stiffen up the Indian troops who are holding the canal in a line of trenches and a series [of] redoubts. It is a dreary desolate spot. By 9pm both the Bns had arrived, with all equipment horses and vehicles. We have with us a Section of the field amb. [ambulance] and a supply unit, 7 days rations and fodder, 600,000 rounds of SA ammunition, 8 machine guns, no tents etc. The force at present is to Bivouac. After settling things down I and Coningham, who unless I am very much mistaken I shall like very much, rode in to Suez to report to the GOC Genl Melliss27 VC. His staff officer a Capt McKinnon piloted us in, and introduced us to the General, and his wife who is staying in Suez. Mrs Melliss said she was so glad that we had come. All the rest of the troops are Indians. She said it was a great relief to the white women that 2 British, as she called us, Regts had arrived. She seemed pleased....
At about 3.40am, we were awakened by heavy rifle fire from the other side of the canal. It turned out that about 500 Turks attacked the Beluchistan redoubt (just opposite our bivouac) on the East side of the canal. They were repulsed, and by daylight had all retired out of sight, taking their casualties with them. Some bullets came whizzing over us, but no harm was done. Our fellows were very anxious to get into the scrap but we were not needed.
January 27th to 29th 1915
Malone directs improvements to the defences occupied by his forces and visits General Melliss and other British (Indian Army) units in the area.
January 30th 1915
As yesterday, but tents have arrived, so I shall be able tonight to get out of Coningham’s way. I like him very much. He is industrious and capable and in no way exceeds his duty. Nothing of the McDonnell about him. He makes it quite clear to everybody that I am the O/C of the NZ Detachment, which now numbers some 2300 men. I saw the General and made some suggestions, which he was pleased to welcome, and approve and adopt as “sound”. I like him very much. He has earned the VC on 3 occasions, but on two of them, as he was CO he could not recommend himself. He doesn’t at all like this passive defence. We often talk about it. I am trying to get him to lash out a bit and never mind what the authorities say. It is deadly to my mind to allow the Turks to concentrate day by day, and bit by bit a big force. We ought to go out and smash up the bits as they come along, debouching from the high country. It is difficult no doubt to go out to meet them, and it would not do to go more than say 10 miles owing to transport difficulties want of water etc, but they are now about 10 miles away only, and no doubt will attack us at night again soon. I have sent back to Cairo for a share of Brigade Reserve of tools so that we can improve our defences. Still very hot and dusty.
February 3rd 1915
About 12.15pm last night, the Turks attacked Kubri Post, some few hundred of them. They attacked from 2 directions. Rifle fire only.... The Turks didn’t come closer than some 600 yards, and after 2.15pm, retired. In the morning we found that they had dug a line of entrenchments, from which they had been firing, so probably, they suffered no casualties either. The next time they try the game on we hope we shall be allowed to go out on the flank and try and scupper them with the bayonet. We certainly are going to object to being turned out at night for nothing. It is probably part of their plan to keep our chaps from resting and to catch us on the hop, after numerous feints.... Today there was fighting out near Ismailia North of us – 2 New Zealanders and 30 Indians were wounded by shrapnel from big guns which out ranged our guns. Some 60 of the Turks were taken prisoner....
Wellington men prepare defences in the Suez Canal sector under Malone’s command.
Morison Album, Alexander Turnbull Library
Malone and another officer, probably his staff officer, Captain Coningham, at the El Kubri post, defending the Suez Canal.
Malone Family Collection Wellington (now in ATL)
Wellington Battalion men in the Suez Canal defences. After he got solidly to work in preparation for Gallipoli, defending the canal against the Turks was ‘mere play’ to Malone.
Morison Album, Alexander Turnbull Library
I have shifted our HQ including my tent to the other side of the Railway, so as to be nearer to the trenches and to the telephones, the one to the GOC and the other to the O/C of Otago Bn who are in the trenches. I can thus better handle our men. Capt Coningham to my regret has been recalled to Cairo. I am very sorry for we have conceived a great liking for each other. He too is very sad about it. To have to go back to Cairo just when things have begun [to get] very interesting. I am appointing Capt Cook of Hawkes Bay Coy of the Wellington Bn, my staff officer in lieu of Coningham and we will manage all right. Genl Godley and Col F.E. Johnston visited the trenches today. They spent about an hour with us. The General was nice and seemed inclined to let me have the Engineers that I have been asking for and need, but Col Johnston threw cold water on it. He doesn’t quite like the detachment, naturally so. His Brigade is cut in 2. My show is as big, as his and I am on my own, under Gen Melliss of course. Coningham says that he is jealous of us. We have been fixing up our orderly room etc.... My tent is fitted out as usual with shelves [?] and what not. I have got a table. I do love order and tidiness and can see no reason why they should not be observed, even if as Cook thinks, a shell may come and upset things. He doesn’t like the change of quarters altogether. We were behind the Railway Embankment before, now we are in front of it, and no doubt as he says [will] make a good mark for the Turkish guns when they come. Still as I tell him, the risk is not very great and we are in God’s hands. It is 10.10pm and I must turn in, after a long day....
February 7th – Sunday 1915
Mass and communion at 6.50am and then I took the padre over to Kubri ferry on horse back. He said 2nd mass there.... [Major O’Neill, New Zealand Field Ambulance, Kubri Detachment] told me that one of the New Zealanders wounded on Thursday had died. A Nelson man named Ham.28 New Zealand’s 1st on the Roll of Honour, in the Cause of the Age.
In the afternoon I went into Suez.... I bought 1/2 a doz P/Post cards for Molly and Denis and Barney and then went to the Hotel Bel-air. Had dinner with the General and his wife. He
was not very well. After dinner he proposed that I should take Mrs Melliss to the cinema, which proposal I managed to gracefully put aside. He showed me copies of all the orders and what not that had been found on dead and wounded Turks after the fighting of Thursday last. It was very interesting and enlightening. At 10pm I went back to Kubri, or Campimento, as our camp is called, by a special railway engine, which the General insisted on providing for me. I felt quite a big gun. I wanted to go to Arbam – which is about 3 miles from our camp by ordinary train and then walk, but he wouldn’t hear of it, said it was too risky. I was too valuable to get shot! He is too good to me. A cold night.
February 9th 1915
A dull day. Some rain. A quiet night. Drat the flies! They swarm. I have just finished a swatting turn, killed all in my tent, but they are coming in again. I have got 2 Egyptians (fellaheen [sic, fellahaheen29], farmer men who have some land close to the Sweet Water Canal) to come and take away all our horse manure. I hope thus to keep down the increase of flies. One of the men Mahmoud Arab, is a very good looking fellow, beautiful teeth and good features, and eyes. He has 6 acres of land, his own. He has a wife and 2 children, 2 boys aged 5 and 2 years. He has a few date palms, grows bersem [sic, berseem].30 Pays rates = about 14/-per anm. Lives in a mud house. Has no ambition, a patient peace and ease loving soul. Fairly industrious.
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