Ashburton Legion of Frontiersmen war memorial

Legion of Frontiersmen memorial, Ashburton.

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Francis Vallance, 2011.

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Ashburton Legion of Frontiersmen war memorial, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/ashburton-legion-of-frontiersmen-war-memorial, (Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 29-May-2024

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Ashburton

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Mike Subritzky Posted: 21 Nov 2009

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

NEW ZEALAND COMMAND

The New Zealand Command of the Legion of Frontiersmen was established in 1911 by two officers of the Legion, Captain John Cook a South African War Veteran and Captain Pat Taylor. By the end of the year, about 30 Frontiersmen had enlisted. The first Commandant in this country was Captain John Cook, resident in Christchurch at the time.

In 1915, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel P. Driscoll DSO calls for the roll to be taken of Frontiersmen currently in uniform and on Active Service. More than 7,000 have enlisted and are on Active Service with a variety of Empire Units. He notes that nearly 50 per cent of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry are members of the Legion of Frontiersmen. Shortly after, the 25th (Frontiersmen) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Was raised by the Legion of Frontiersmen as a British Army Infantry Battalion and served in the East African Theatre from 1915 - 1918.

In New Zealand, many members of the Legion of Frontiersmen enlisted into the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment as that was the Regiment chosen by the Commandant, Captain Frank M. Twisleton. Newspaper articles confirm that throughout the war Frontiersmen continued to enlist into the "Otago's" so that they could serve with other Frontiersmen.

The Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment was made up of the 5th Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars), the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles, and the 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles. The Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment saw service during the Battle of Gallipoli as part of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and was later withdrawn to Egypt. The Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment later left the Brigade and served in France with the New Zealand Division. The Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment was the only New Zealand Mounted troops to serve in France.

More than 1,500 Frontiersmen, serving in a variety of Units are Killed in Action during the Gallipoli Campaign in the Dardanelles. Many are New Zealanders.

The record of the Legion in the Great War is a proud one, enhanced by the fact that of the seven VCs awarded to New Zealanders five were won by its members.

The Legion's roll is called throughout the British Empire for the first time since the commencement of hostilities in 1914. It is discovered that more than 9,000 members of the Legion have made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Their sacrifice passes in to Legion history and they become the legendary "9,000" and are remembered and toasted at every Legion of Frontiersman gathering forthwith.

In New Zealand, two Memorials were raised to Honour the sacrifice made by the 9,000 and those who have followed them in subsequent conflicts. One memorial is located in National Park in the North Island, the other is at Ashburton in the South Island. Both locations were chosen as being central to the Island upon which the memorials were raised.

Regards,

Mike Subritzky
Editor and Researcher
New Zealand Command
THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

For further information please visit:

http://frontiersmen.homestead.com/timeline.html

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Brent Nunns Posted: 28 Nov 2009

Hi Mike,
Captain Herbert Noyes, was the first Commissioner in New Zealand, He arrived in New Zealand on the 3rd April 1907, having been asked by Roger Pocock before his departure from England, that if he would look into getting the Frontiersmen started in NZ while he was here.
Earliest Recruitment was started in Whangarei on the 9 August 1906 by Mr Edward Foster. Those who were recruited were attached directly to the Legions Headquarters in England.

Of the seven VCs awarded, only one was a member of the Legion, the other six joined the Legion after the war.

Happy to supply proof of my claims.

Regards
Brent Nunns

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Mike Subritzky Posted: 4 Dec 2009

Brett Nunns. Thank you Brett for your comments. I am currently writing the history of the LOF here in New Zealand and can confirm that Captain Herbery Noyes does not feature, so I would be interested to sight the proofs you mention. LOF history clearly records that Captain John Cook (South Island), and Captain Ernest D'Esterre (North Island) were the first appointed LOF "Organisers" for New Zealand. Captain John Cook was later appointed the first Commandant for the South Island and Colonel Allen Bell was appointed as the first Commandant for the North Island. Captain Frank Twisleton was appointed the first Commandant for New Zealand, and later the first Commdant for the LOF "Active Service" Command. Prime Minister Bill Massey then held the appointment of "Acting-Commandant" during the WWI years.
[This information is reinforced in Cook's letter to the New Zealand LOF Commandant in November 1945].

Roger Pocock in England held the appointment of Commissioner as that was a NWCMP rank equivelant to either Colonel or Brigadier (forget which). The reason for this being that Roger Pocock was "not" a commissioned British Officer. Pocock served in South Africa as a Junior NCO with the Waldren Scouts and prior to his South African servic,e Pocock had served in the NWCMP as a Constable (Regimental Number: 1107); which would explain his use of the very senior NWCMP rank of Commissioner.

The first recorded New Zealander to join the Legion of Frontiersmen was Frontiersman (later Pioneer) Arthur Whitehead, however there were as you said a number of Frontiersmen who did join in the UK and come out to New Zealand.

Regarding the Victoria Cross recipients, the information I quoted appears in the 1935 journals (and earlier), and considering the popularity and esteem the Legion was held in here in New Zealand prior to WWI, I would tend to believe the information in the 1935 journals.

Brett, do please send me your proofs and I will most certainly alter the m/s accordingly. So much fiction (and fantasy) has at times been written about the Legion of Frontiersmen and its' members, that it is sometimes difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff. I look forward to hearing from you, my email address is: [email protected]

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Brent Nunns Posted: 14 Dec 2009

I thought I should mention that Roger Pocock’s sending of Captain Herbert Noyes to New Zealand, was not his first attempt to get the NZ Government to officially accept the Legion of Frontiersmen.

The first attempt by Roger Pocock to offer the NZ Government an organised body of Frontiersmen is recorded in a letter dated the 21st July 1905.
A reply from the NZ Prime Minister Mr R Seddon was sent on the 27th of September 1905 declining the offer.

These letters are held at Archives NZ:- Agency – AD, Series – 1, Box/item - 1035*, Record 62/4.

Hopefully, Mike will soon do me the courtesy of verifying my claims as being correct.

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Mike Subritzky Posted: 16 Dec 2009

Brent Nunns
Thank you Brent for the information that you sent me in regards to the early days of the Legion of Frontiersmen in New Zealand, and Captain Herbert Noyes being the first Commissioner which I confirm and accept as historically correct.
The problem with research as you know is the human element, and the association of Captain Noyes with the Legion in New Zealand is a very good example.
Early Legion members Captain Noyes (believed Royal Artillery), and Captain Innes, late of the Irish Rifles are both given "ghost" mentions in the New Zealand Command's history and Captain Noyes mention is not at all complimentary; in fact he has been all but written out by both Captain John Cook and Captain Ernest D'Esterre. Captain Cook was the first NZ Commandant and worked with Roger Pocock, while Captain D'Esterre was the organiser for the North Island and he worked directly with Colonel Dan Driscoll DSO. Cook and D'Esterre wrote a history of the New Zealand Command for the 50th anniversary and it is their work which is used and quoted by the Legion.
Regarding Noyes, I was somewhat confused with your original post as the LOF records show Noyes (although un-named) holding the rank of Colonel, however since your assistance I now believe that might well have been his Legion rank. Captain Innes on the other hand is warmly remembered. Having now confirmed "who is who" in regards to Captains Innes and Noyes I will include mention of both men in the history of the New Zealand Command. Once again Brent, many thanks for your assistance.
Mike Subritzky
Editor and Researcher
New Zealand Command
THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

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Mike Subritzky Posted: 16 Dec 2009

Ashburton Legion of Frontiersmen Memorial to the 9000

Site:
In 1975, Captain Ron Taylor LOF of U Squadron (Ashburton) obtained consent from Parks and Reserves to create a monument to the dead of the Legion of Frontiersmen to be located in Baring Square, Ashburton.
Style:
The memorial was constructed in the plinth style with an upright slate monument bearing an inlaid colour mosaic design of a Frontiersmen's cap badge. Local company Halswell Quarries donated a truckload of slate for the project, and as well members of U Squadron collected stones for the memorial from all over the South Island.
Ornamentation:
As well as the Frontiersmen's cap badge mosaic, the mural crown and scroll "FRONTIERSMAN" were cast at the Leeston foundry. Above the badge is a granite tablet which reads as follows: "Erected to the memory of 9000 members of the Legion of Frontiersmen who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918, and those gallant Comrades who fell in freedom's cause in World War II, 1939-1945, and the wars that followed." WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM.
Unveiling Date and Dedication Parade:
On Sunday the 01 June 1975, the Ashburton Memorial to the 9000 Frontiersmen, was dedicated and unveiled by Captain L. Allison, Honorary Padre of the Legion at a parade commanded by Commandant Colonel Allan Frederick Puklowski LOF and attended by some 100 members of the Legion of Frontiersmen and families. The memorial had been covered prior to being unveiled by a Legion of Frontiersmen ensign which had been hand-sewn by Mrs R.A. Powell of Timaru, who's late husband had served in the Legion of Frontiersmen for many years.
Number of Dead:
This memorial commemorates more than 9000 members of the Legion of Frontiersmen who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War 1914-1918. It also acknowledges all Frontiersmen who have lost their lives in wars and other conflicts since.

Ashburton LOF 1975 Conference photo:
http://frontiersmen.homestead.com/Conference1970.html

Mike Subritzky
Editor and Researcher
New Zealand Command
THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

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Allan Gallagher Posted: 1 Jan 2013

My Grandfather was Allan Puklowski, the Commandant mentioned in your article on the Ashburton Memorial. I would like too contact Mike Subritzky. Are you able to assist.

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Arthur Uden Posted: 4 Jan 2013

Allan Gallagher has asked about Mike Subritzky. I believe Mike is still in Te Awamutu. His health has not been good. The Te Awamutu RSA will know of his address.

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Anthony Robb (Tony) Posted: 5 Mar 2014

Hello..I am enquiring on the Rotorua Chapter,I was in The Legion,around 1986,I went to that Conference,and I'm sure there is a photo of me on the OFFICIAL PHOTO...(I am situated bottom line,right at the end...with the beard)...I would like to purchase a copy of this photo...I now reside in Australia...I had the rank of 1st Lt. then, I have lost contact,with anyone in Rotorua....I even had trouble contacting a Melbourne Branch...(I am thinking of re-joining once more,however my age may be a deterent (64)!!!...If anyone can help,I would be obliged,I would certainly love a copy of that photo...for memory sake...THANKYOU.

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Mike S Posted: 22 Jul 2014

If you are interested in contacting the Legion then please email me at [email protected]. I live not far from Rotorua.

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