Mrs Tofa's ANZAC post for today

A leader - Colonel William Malone

Malone was a soldier and had seen that the world war was coming. He began to prepare by studying military history and following a fitness routine so he would be strong and fit in preparation for military service. When war was declared he volunteered immediately and because he had a good reputation as a leader he was made commander of the Wellington Infantry Battalion. He was on his way to the war with his men by October 1915. Although he placed high demands on his men, he was well respected for he also showed concern and interest in their welfare. 

There are leaders who look after people that rely on them and other leaders who don’t. After reading the paragraph (above) think about what Malone’s leadership qualities were...

Courageous 

Confident

Smart

Respectful

Caring

Leader

Who do you see as an excellent NZ leader? Look at your list for Malone – does the leader you admire have any of the same qualities? 

Jacina Ardern is a leader I admire and respect. At this time during the Covid-19 epidemic she is courageous and showing great leadership by making difficult decisions others would not be confident to make. As I watch her updates on the news and on her Facebook lives, I am amazed at her understanding of aspects of this outbreak in New Zealand and her ability to recall statistics. I also feel she is keeping the New Zealand public informed and utilising technology to communicate with New Zealand. 

Extracts from the Gallipoli Diary of Lieutenant Colonel William George Malone 

April 24th, 1915 ... I have just arranged with Home to issue to every platoon commander a phial of morphia tablets so that any wounded man can be at once given a tabloid or two to put under his tongue and thus get relief from pain. The tabloid will take from ten to fifteen minutes to dissolve and to work but it will be a great blessing to the wounded men and a great help to the nerves of their mates who will be saved quickly the hearing of the wounded men’s cries. We gave the men rice and dried apricots stewed for their tea tonight as an extra. It was an unexpected treat and very welcome. Tomorrow we give them for their last meal on board rice and stewed prunes. 

Monday, 10 May ... I am not hitting it too well with our Brigadier. He seems to resent my asking for information and for not too readily allowing my men to be plunged ahead without reconnaissance and information. 

Malone was well known for protecting his men whenever he could. This meant that sometimes he would not do what his commanders told him to do (see his diary for May 10. A Brigadier is a very senior commander and normally everyone would do exactly what he said.) 

• Do you think that defying authority in this way is a good leadership quality? Explain your thoughts...

I have read that disobeying the orders of senior authority leaders in the military can incur very harsh consequences. I am not surprised that Malone did this to ensure his men were protected and cared for. I think one can question their leaders if the decisions are not fair or unsafe. 

Lest we forget