14 November 2011

Malone Statue to Be Unveiled

The Malone Quest Committee will finally see their hard work pay off when a life-size bronze statue of Stratford's war hero, Lt. Col. William George Malone is unveiled this weekend.

Peter Peckham, leader of the committee said “The committee had been working toward this day for the past 2 years and it's fantastic to see it finally coming to an end”.

A former Royal Navy Officer himself he was inspired by stories of Malone's leadership and character and wanted to pay tribute to Malone's legacy by providing the community with a visual piece of history.

The statue is of Col. Malone in uniform looking toward the mountain. The bronze statue was created by Fridtjof Hanson who also created the sculpture of Peter Snell at Opunake.

The statue has been made possible with grants from TSB Community Trust, New Zealand Army Association Taranaki, Malone Quest Committee and Stratford District Council.

Members of the public are invited to attend the unveiling of Lt. Col. William Malone this Sunday 20 November, 11.30 am at the grass area at the corner of Broadway and Page Street, Stratford.

William George Malone (1859 – 1915)

William Malone was born in Lewisham, England and came to New Zealand in 1879 where he served in the Armed Constabulary at Opunake for two years. He then farmed at Cardiff near Stratford with this brother.

Malone was active in local affairs as chairman of the Ngaere Road Board, a member of the Hawera County Council and the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He was involved in forming the Stratford County Council and was its first clerk and treasurer. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1892 and was admitted to the Bar in 1895. A keen rugby player, he represented Taranaki in 1889 - 1891.

In 1903 he formed a law partnership with James McVeagh and William Anderson and then opened branches in several Taranaki towns.

He commanded the 11th Taranaki Rifles and created the distinctive “lemon squeezer” hat adopted by the New Zealand Army.

Lieutenant-Colonel Malone led the Wellington Battalion in the 8th and 9th August 1915 attack on Chunuk Bair ridge in Gallipoli. He, along with several hundred of his men, was killed during the battle.

ENDS

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