FAMOUS MARKSMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1927, Page 1

FAMOUS MARKSMAN

MAJOR AA’ALI.IXG FOR 11. AUCKLAND. Aug. 17. “ Any mail in my regiment, who particularly distinguished himself in rifle shooting always was nicknamed ' AVallingford,’ the sincerest form of flattery that can he offered hv the British soldier.” So wrote Lieutemint-Coi'onel Sleenian about Major J. A. AVallingford. Ar. C.. who to-day retires on superannuation after forty-two years’ service as a soldier, sixteen of which have been spent with the New Zealand forces. “AA’ally” as he is known among intimates, has a reputation that is known throughout the British Army, and even to-day many years after the exploits that gained him his fame, his name is one to conjure with when rifle shooting is under discussion. Early in his career lie made a speciality of the rifle and the AA’allingford tradition is still extant at the famous musketry school at Tlythe. Soon his renown spread throughout the Army, and Colonel STeemnn used to say he “ well reniemberen the intense interest with which we young officers looked forward to the demonstration of rifle fire .given by AA's "ingford to cadi party of officers nt>ending the llytlie course. Tall, wi -y cool. Wallingford was the beau id'-'d of a soldier, while he possessed thom dear, steel-blue eyes so curiously tj of ail of good rifle shots.” D dor AA'allingford liad a phenomenal net or of successes to his credit, both at ! : -!ev and in the Army. Six times wit!-''i nine years lie won the British Are. v championship. m: 1911 Major- AA'allingford transferred from (he Army to the New Zeei’aiul forces’'. There was not the same sope. for bin) in Hie Dominion, but w! on thre“ years later tile Great War bioko out lie showed that his trigger hem! had ”ot forgotten its cunning. 1! went -villi the New Zealanders to G. Pipolt Infantry Brigade inaciiitiege. : iiffic v. and lib wonderful handling oi rifle and. machine-gun during the C! : -'ll d.'\ ule’n the troops were h: ■ ;itig or fur dear life won the n find' ; i :;5 • , o\ < r>- man la the force. | j., :v..; V (,,> New Zealand in Si ndier. 1911. Main!' Wallingford ll; . hictU en i ng.ej'od in lii- .special.. i f inasketay In.sir k.tion. He also w . officer commanding Group 1. Auckland. and subsequently held the app .ie: merit of inspector of Small Arms Ammunition at Narrow Neck, inspector . of .Irili* hulls, rifle ranges, etc., and at the time of Ids retirement was attach , ed to the general staff. Northern Com mand.