A VETERAN’S CAREER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4396, 29 March 1922, Page 3

A VETERAN’S CAREER.

LATE MB. W. IT. MALCOLM. ; There recently died at the Waihi Hospital, an old Maori War veteran, Mr W. H. Malcolm, who was at one time custodian of the Ohinemuri. Club. Deceased was of genial disposition, very kindly in manner, and well liked by those who knew him. He was a life-long member of the Masonic Oi’tter, and was accorded a Masonic funeral by brethren of Lodge. ■Ohinemuri, of which he was a member. Owing to his having ho relatives hereaway, if has taken some time to secure particulars of deceased’s career,' and we are indebted to Major H. C. Nutsford, Superintendent' of the Veterans’ Home, Auckland, for the following particulars: William Henry Malcolm was born in London on September 15, 1942: His father was a publican in that city. Malcom went ,to school there until the age of 14-, when he was apprenticed to a saddler, kjid served five years, after which he served two more years with another saddler. His mother and' father having died, he left London in 1863, in tthe ship VGolconda,” arriving at Nelson (N-Z-), where he ' worked at his trade for about a year.. He 7 joined the Militia, was sent to Auckland, and sa'w active service near Otahuhu, after which he joined the transport corps as a saddler, on the Penrose farm. In 1864 he obtained his discharge, going. to Napier, where he worked at his tirade until 1867, when he joined the Constabulary/ in Hamilton, under Colonel Mould, He Was sent to Wanganui,, thence to the Urewera Country,- where he came in contact with the Maoris again. He was present at the Chertsie Track engagement, and at other places, under Colonel Whitmore.

In 1869 deceased le2t the Constabulary and returned to Hawke’s Bay, where he followed bis. tradd until he came to the Veterans’ Home on December 10, 1915. He remained at the Home until the Ohinemuri Club made aplpication for an old veteran to act as custodian, when he Was recommended by the superintendent as being of high character, good principles, and well suited to fill the position. Deceased was in possession of the New Zealand War Medal, and drew the New Zealand military pension. He was a single man, and was /very contended and much respected at. the Home.