OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1915, Page 3

OBITUARY.

malone. The news that lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Malone has been killed in action will be received throughout Taranaki with the deepest feelings of sorrow, lie was an ideal soldier and a typical colonist. Possessing unbounded' energy, intense zeal in whatever he undertook, and possessed of intellectual gifts fax above the average, he baa made his way to a high position, both in the State and in the army, hy means of his own ability and force of character, and endeared himself to everyone • who knew him. Although not born in New Zealand, he had Spent the best part of his life here, ami 'became one of the most esteemed men in Taranaki, where for the last thirtyfive years he had resided. The military spirit has alway.-i been strongly in evidence in Colonel Malone, for almost, immediately after he arrived here (at the age of twenty-one years) he joined the Aumed Constabulary, taking part in the siege of I'ariha.ka. After three years' service, he started fanning near Stratford with his brother, and at once commenced that life of service to his fellows and his country that had characterised his whole career, and has only ended by that greatest of all services—giving his life for the Empire of which he was such a worthy citizen. In 1800 Colonel Malone commenced his business career as a land agent, and it was largely due to hiis efforts that the Stratford County was formed, and lie became its first clerk; nor was his connection with that finally severed till the time of his death, for lie then held the honored position of being the county's legal adviser. In IS9-1 he waa admitted a solicitor, and in due course became a barrister, but to the end of his life there were two main interests which oc.co.pied his best attention —farming and volunteering. So keen was his interest in military affairs that on the outbreak of the Boer war he assisted to raise the Stratford Itilie Corps, of which he was appointed captain. In li'O.t he became adjutant of the -Ith Battalion Wellington Volunteers, and in ll>os was promoted to major, eventually becoming lieutenant-colonel of the 11th (Taranaki) Regiment, and lie held this rank when he left New Zealand with the Main Expeditionary Force that has done such glorious service at Gallipoli. With the exception of a few years spent in the practice of his profession at New Plymouth, Colonel Malone has resided at Stratford. Whilst in New Plymouth he plunged into politics with that characteristic ardor that has distinguished his whole career, but unsuccessfully contested the Taranaki seat in 1907, and again in 1008. On returning to Stratford, lie devoted ids wonderful energies to military affairs, becoming an ardent enthusiast in the Territorial movement, his exceptional ability attracting the notice of the military authorities. At the outbeak of the present war, which he had for sonic years been convinced was inevitable, he at once volunteered for service, uml it Is no exaggeration to say that no keener officer or one better equipped for the position of commander could be found amongst the officers who left these shores. Absolutely fearless, of a magnetic personality, and of unbounded courage, he was just the leader that would create, if possible, a victory out of a forlorn hope. His one overpowering desire was to be i:i action with Taranaki men under him. How the men loved their colonel only they can tell. He has met a glorious end. and, while we cannot but deeply regret that such a splendid servant of the King should have so short a career that could not, if prolonged, have been other than Racist brilliant, we rejoice that New Zealand lias such men to uphold the best traditions of tiie British race, and his examp'e should be an inspiration to all N'ew Zea landers. f Of Colonel Malone's private life there is little to record. He was twice, mar vied, his first wife being a daughter of the late Thomas TVmi and his second being Miss Withers. By the former ho had Four foiu (all of whom have joined (he expeditionary forces), ami one daughter, who Is now acting as a Red\Cross nurse at Home. His widow, with lier three children, are also in Fuglaud, and to all of them will lie exten'lcl \tlic deepest sympathy of the whole province, on which the fallen hero has shed'w, lustre that will never fade. It is too early yet to speak of a me. u.orial, butN there is up question thai so long as the memory or the war lasts, so long will the name and fame of Colonel Malone b'e held in highest honor, and his many services to his country held in loving remembrance.

Our Stratford correspondent writes; Quito the greatest shook Stratford has received occurred when word went forth that Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Malone had been killed in action at the Dardanelles. Being the officer in charge of the "Wellington Contingent, and especially the Uth Taranaki Regiment, ho wag loved by all his men. and his kindly manner to all grades in thu military forces had endeared him to everyone. The writer has seen scores of letters from the front, and all'speak in the highest terms of his ftmsideration and kindness to his meijr' Ho fought the good fight, and now.'wjll wear the crown of glory, Our volunteer, from the 11th Regiment die sure to pav back to the Turks the full priec thev deserve. To those who knew the man,' his death is hard. We hero know wha't our boys have lost.' ' olonel Malone was thorough, and did for his men probably more than any other officer i\t the. front. One wounded • c.n tells how at the celebrated landing he was on bin way to the ho.spita| ship, and lie met Colonel Malone mi t'.he way hack to the trenches with wider j and food for the boys. "Let me," He said. "sum him up in' a few words: (Colonel Malone was a soldier and a iian." At the fajewell send off to the bovs at the Kguioht Club, the following resolution was tarried in silence, all present -tandinl as a.mark of respect to our bite gall Lit comrade:--" That those present cxt.cifl their heartfelt svmpalhv to the widol- and family of the Lite lieutenant Oojncl Malone. who was killed whilsttighting for „ s , (he people he loved so veil, and to assure then. Unit we feel iiat we and the bovs he so calantly ledjhave lost a guide, counsellor and find, that his place will be hard to ht and that he died a sol-