Hello reader, welcome to the
Biography of Tom French.
Introduction.
On 1 January 2007, while listening to the radio, I heard a report outlining the New Zealand Prime Minister's agenda for the year. One item that caught my interest was the intention to attend the 90th commemoration of the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium that October. I remember thinking my father, Tom French, had ties to that battle and with that a switch was flicked on in my mind which was to take me throughout New Zealand, and to the other side of the world, in a quest for answers about the life of a man who had passed away so many decades before. Who was my father and what had he experienced in distant lands so long ago?
From that moment I started an odyssey of discover which so far has spanned almost two decades and, I suspect, will continue for many years to come.
Among the most significant discoveries I made while researching this biography was the existence of the diary of Frank Athol Gillman. Remarkably, Frank was a member of Tom's Platoon (1st Auckland Regiment, 3rd Company). Frank's diary records shared experiences with Tom. The entry on Messine and night patrol spoke volumes about Tom's character. Another extraordinary discovery was the French Film Archive "ECAPAD". A repository of photographic and motion picture footage. There preserved on film was footage of the Trench Blacks Somme Cup rugby match in Paris on April 8, 1917. Seeing moving images of my father, captured at the time of discovery, a century earlier—was nothing short of astonishing.
The following is everything I have discovered about my father’s life so far. Much was gleaned from my mother Daphne French, maternal grandfather, Arthur Williams, himself a veteran of the First World War. My half-brother Anthony "Tony" French was a particularly deep well of recollections. Supplementing the trail of information were a number of Māori and European relatives, some of whom I had no knowledge of before embarking on this venture. Much appreciation to Cousin Francis Bella Pease for researching our Māori genealogy. Along the way there have also been countless visits to rugby museums, libraries, lectures and consultations with historians and many hours researching papers past.
In writing this biography, I came to understand that Tom French’s life was, at its heart, a story of triumph over tragedy. The more I uncovered, the more I realised how extraordinary his journey truly was, not only for what he endured, but for the dignity, courage, and quiet determination with which he lived.
Many people have told me Tom's story would make a for fantastic movie. Encompassing the tumultuous global events of the early 20th century and the long shadow those experiences were to cast over the rest of his life. Tom's narrative is captivating.
Tom French's story is worth telling, preserving, and passing on.
Karl French son of Tom French. Compiled between 2007 / 2026.
Tom French: his story.
Index
1) Origin: Kawhia and European ancestry
2) Māori Forbears: Tainui, Ngāti Hikairo
3) Siblings: Samuel French, 5th Māori Contingent
4) Siblings: Bessie French, Toms' sister, half brothers
5) Toms' early rugby from 1910
7) Westport 1912, South Island Country team
8) 1913. A very busy year, Māori All Blacks in Australia, Westport and Buller
9) 1914. Dave Gallaher and the powerhouse of Auckland rugby
10) Auckland rugby club City, Pre war idol of the crowds, sent off in disgrace
12) The Second Māori Contingent, Kawhia Springs ritual ceremony
13) To Egypt, Zeitoun and Moascar 1915
15) The Pioneer Battalion forms, evolution of a name
17) France, arrival in Marseilles April 1916, Armentieres
18) Armentieres to the Somme 1916
19) The Somme July 1 to November 18 1916, south to France, the Pioneer Battalion on the Somme
20) Transfer to a new battalion, 1st Auckland Battalion September 25 1916
23) Link to French Ecpad Film repository. Trench Black film footage April 8 1917
24) Messines Belgium June 7 1917
25) Dave Gallaher, W.W.1 journey from enlistment to Passchendaele
26) The Passchendaele campaign July 31 to November 10 1917, (The Third Ypres)
27) Passchendaele Belgium, the Battle of Broodseinde October 4 1917
29) Battle of Broodseinde. History of the Auckland Battalion. October 4 1917
31) Belvue Spur "Passchendaele" disaster October 12 1917
32) 1919. Toms' return to New Zealand
33) New Zealand from 1919. Marriage, employment, rugby and tragedy
34) 1944 return to Auckland. Tom French the personality of post war Auckland rugby
35) 1949 Māori All Blacks in Australia. A triumphal tour
38) 1950's. Tom junior. Retirement from the Department of Agriculture
39) Personal life 1950's to 1970
40) Kawhia concerns, the wharf, hall and sand. Formation of Tainui Kawhia Incorporation
1. Origin, 1880's Kawhia.
Imagine, if you can, not knowing the day you were born, the month you were born, let alone even the year you were born. This was the reality of late 19th century isolated settlements in New Zealand. Kawhia was no exception. Beneath a Pohutukawa tree, in the impoverished surrounds of Ngāti Hikairo's Waipapa marae beside the lapping waters of Kawhia harbour, Tom French was born into this world. Though Tom had not the slightest inclination of his actual birth date he was still able to identify that same tree, more than 70 years later, as he drove past the marae one morning with wife Daphne, on their way into Kawhia township. Tom was the middle child, born between elder brother Samuel James 1887 and sister Bessie Elizabeth 1892. (Both of the sibling’s birth dates may also be subject to conjecture as the dates have been sourced from military records and marriage certificates, not actual birth certificates).
Toms' birth was never formally registered at Kawhia as the nearest settlement of any significance was Otorohanga, an arduous two day trek by horse. Although Tom never knew his actual date of birth, the date on his war service record states 16th September 1889. His son Tony noted that Toms' marriage certificate recorded 1890 as his year of birth. His family joined him in celebrating his birthday every February 22. This "summery" date had been randomly selected by his daughter Patricia. Tom did not have a middle name, yet many photographs and reports refer to him as Tom A. French. Even Tom himself was unsure of the origin or meaning of the mysterious "A".
For this biography the date of 16 September 1889, as per his military service record, will become Tom French's official date of birth.
Toms’ ancestry. The European Connection.
Toms' European grandfather was a man by the name of John Gallagher (senior). According to Bill Campbell, Toms' cousin, in his 1970 family history biography John was a bright star in the firmament of the family fabric. Bill notes John Gallagher was born in Northern Ireland as was his wife Jane (nee Knight), who came from Cork. John was Church of England and a Mason to boot. It appears John was also a schoolteacher, a profession that was soon to intersect with the trajectory of nurse Florence Nightingale. Whilst Florence was in the Crimea, developing modern hospital conventions, she became appalled by the illiteracy of the British soldiers. They simply, could neither read nor write. Because of the sterling work she was doing with the sick and the wounded Florence had reached a position where she could communicate directly with Queen Victoria and so made representations to the Queen to initiate action in regard to educating the rank-and-file soldiers. This resulted in Queen Victoria directing that schoolmasters were to be appointed to raise levels of literacy amongst the soldiers. John Gallagher was amongst the first to be appointed. He first served in the Crimea with the rank of Warrant Officer 1st class. The highest rank that could be accorded to a non-combatant soldier. (Crimean war 1853 to 1857). He was later transferred to India and was there during the Indian mutiny 1857 to 1858. Distant relatives who also have been researching Johns' life dispute Bill Campbells assertion that John was in Crimea but confirm he was in India with the British Army. I will have to leave it to future researchers to ascertain the truth.
It was here in India, possibly Delhi, that John Paul Gallagher, Tom's father, was born to John and Jane Gallagher about 1859. Also, whilst in India that John Gallagher's (senior) health began to deteriorate and he was invalided back to England where he died two or three months before his daughter Jane (junior) was born on the 5th of November 1861. Bill Campbell says his grandmother Jane told his mother Jane (junior) that the Masons erected a tombstone, or monument, over his grave. It is not clear as to which, but monuments were bestowed on those of great rank or stature. John is buried in Canterbury England. Jane also said John Gallagher senior was a fine, generous, and even-tempered man. John Paul Gallagher (junior) was later to take the surname from his mother Jane's fourth husband a Mr. French and emigrate to New Zealand. Now with the name John Paul French he married a Māori woman and was to become a father, in Kawhia, to three children, Sam, Tom and Bessie.
Family Tree. Northern Ireland / India / New Zealand.
John Gallagher (senior) and Jane Knight (Toms' European grandparents).
Son and daughter: John Paul Gallagher (junior) and Jane (junior). John Paul Gallagher was to eventually take the name John Paul French.
John Paul French marries Te Anu Pohepohe, Ngāti Hikairo, in Kawhia, who had previously been married to a Mr. Mcgruther
Three children: Samuel, Tom and Bessie, probably raised alongside Te Anu's first marriage offspring Hone and Mutu.
Toms' European grandmother Jane had an interesting life. Born Jane Knight in Cork Ireland it seems that she was married four times. All to members of the 70th regiment of Foot from Clonfeacle, Tyrone of Northern Ireland. From the first marriage to a Mr. Chappel, three children were born, two seemed to have died, at least one of those in India. Only Thomas Chappel survived. Of four children from her marriage to John Gallagher, two died in India, John Paul Gallagher (French) and sister Jane jnr. survived. Jane's life in India was one of privilege with servants to take care of everything. About 1864, now married to a Mr. Everitt, Jane and her three surviving children moved to New Zealand with the 70th Reinforcements. By about 1870 Jane was next married to a Mr. French and living in Thames. A child Samuel was born of that union in that year, not to be confused with Toms brother Sam born 1887.
Jane seniors last years were tragic. A search of papers past show she was resident in Thames, Mr. French had gone to Australia to seek his fortune on the gold fields leaving Samuel and the two Gallagher children John Paul and Jane junior who were students at Waiotahi school, 1874, 1875. Mr. French sent home money but was to die while in Australia. There are a staggering number of reports in the Thames newspapers, N.Z. Herald and the Auckland Star about the effects of alcohol on Jane's demeanour between 1875 and her death in the recently opened Mt Eden prison on February 25, 1889. A brief summary of those reports includes being the victim of several assaults, perpetrator of foul language, larceny, prostitution, and count after count of being charged with drunkenness. As I say the sheer volume of reports almost defies belief. During one incarceration she broke her leg and after her final charge of drunkenness at an appearance in Auckland Magistrates Court February 23, 1889, she was fined 20s and incarcerated for 48 hours. She died there in Mt Eden Prison aged in her early fifty's. She was described as being "old". The coroner passed a verdict of death by apoplexy.
As Jane senior died in 1889 the possible year of Tom's birth, he was never to meet his grandmother. Tom also knew only a little of his grandfather John Gallagher but was aware of his historic surname of Gallagher. Tom's father John Paul French (nee Gallagher) probably came to the Kawhia region in search of work. John Paul French was foreman tasked with forging a road linking Otorohanga with Kawhia. An incredibly arduous undertaking through bush and dramatic hilly terrain in those days. More to follow on the life of John Paul French in the next chapter.
2. Māori Forbears. Iwi Tainui, Hapu Ngāti Hikairo.
On the Māori side, Toms' mother Te Anu Pohepohe's whanau descend from a royal lineage. Te Anu was the daughter of Pohepohe a prominent Māori chieften Te Wherwhero, later to take the name Potau Te Wherowhero on becoming the first Māori King. Also related (tribally) were Te Rauparaha and Rewi Maniopoto. It was said that that the Pohepohe family were distinct from other Māori, not only in their regal stature but also, in appearance being very tall, slender, high cheek boned, and paler than their contemporaries. Toms parentage evolved from the union of his mother Te Anu Pohepohe with John Paul French (nee Gallagher).
Frank Thorne of the Māori tribe Ngāti Hikairo has thoroughly researched the tribes history and was able to contribute the following history pertinent to Toms Māori ancestry. Te Anu Pohepohe was married twice, firstly to a Mr. Mc Gruther and subsequently to John Paul French. I quote Frank Thorne as follows : The French and Mc Gruther whanau come from Te Anu Pohepohe, a daughter of Pohepohe Te Ake and Karopeneti. Pohepohe son of Te Akerautangi and Takepiti, belonged to Te Whanau a Te Ake, Te whanau Pani. and Ngāti Horotakere. Karopeneti, a daughter of Tamihana Te Makao, belonged Nga Uri o Te Makaho, Te Whanau Pani, Ngāti Horotakere and Nga Te Uru. These are all hapu ( sub tribes ) of Ngāti Hikairo. Pohepohe had siblings known as Tuauru, Toataua, Te Roia, Takapari and Te Atakohu. It appears Te Anu's first marriage with Mr. Mc Gruther broke down. From this marriage came Mutu and Hone Mc Gruther. It is Possible Sam French, Tom's elder brother, was also the son of Mr. Mc Gruther, more later.
Te Anu Pohepohe had siblings Toko Pohepohe, no children, Mita no children, Rangikanokano who married Te Hae Toataua, from whom come the Hingas whanau, the Te hae whanau, lastly there was Te Iatarawa / Pera Pohepohe who married Te Ake Toataua from whom come the Turnbull whanau.
As we can see from Frank Thornes genealogy Toms mother Te Anu Pohepohe was a full bloodied Māori woman, twice married of Tainui Iwi (tribe) and Ngāti Hikairo (Hapu) sub tribe descent. Ngāti Hikairo hailing from Kawhia. Waipapa, on the Kawhia rd, being their Marae. Toms mother Te Anu died, probably in 1894, while Tom was relatively young. It seems that up to that time she may have also been caring for all or some of the Mc Gruther off spring as well. John Paul French's marriage certificate to his second wife Margaret Clark, after Te Anu Pohepohe, states that John became a widow in 1894. This tallies with Tom's account of his mother dying when he was young.
Interestingly as is customary with Maori families all the children retained secondary names. Samuel James was Hami, Tom was Sunny and younger sister Bessie Elizabeth was also known as Huriana or Peti Pohepohe. Court documents regarding land ownership still bear some of these names today and make unravelling land claims challenging.
Te Anu Pohepohe's death in 1894 and John Paul French. (Toms' parents).
With the death of Toms mother Te Anu in approximately 1894 her sister Rangikanokano took charge of raising the children. There was by this time a combined brood of some of the Mc Gruther and French's children as well as Rangikanokanos' own. It is unclear whether John Paul French played any further part in the raising of his children or even took an interest in their subsequent welfare. Regardless by 1900 John Paul French had remarried, to a Margaret Clark, a relationship which was to become somewhat unstable in future years. They resided on his farm on the Hauturu rd Te Rauamoa not far from Kawhia. Bill Campbell records in his family tree history that Margaret Clark was not particularly charitably disposed toward John's earlier children. At that time she had two children of her own and may not have wanted anything to do with those "half cast" Pohepohe children. An opportunity to reunite the children, who by this time had been separated was missed. And as time will show probably not a bad thing.
The time frame is unclear, but sometime after Te Anu's passing (July 1894) and before John Pauls second marriage in 1900, Rangikanokano made a crucial decision regarding the course of the children's upbringing. One close relative says that it was felt the children, who were totally immersed in Māori culture, had in fact become too "Maorified", (in an age where Māori culture was not appreciated and European culture was beginning to dominate). In fact the children conversed solely in Māori. Also Rangikanokano would not have had the resources to take care of such a large brood of children consisting of five Pohepohe's and her own. It seems some of the children were separated and sent to live in different regions through out New Zealand.
For the greater part of his youth and adolescence Tom grew up on Matakana Island near Tauranga, raised by the agrarian Bane (or Bain) family ? No one in the family really knows anything about them. At school in Matakana he gained his Form Two Proficiency, (educational qualification). My nephew lived in the area in the 70's / 80's and met an old woman who remembered something of him. The oldest record I have been able to find of a French living in the Tauranga region and involved in rugby comes from the Bay of Plenty Times 27 May 1910, concerning a match between rugby clubs Judea and Star. " French ", no initial, is listed as playing for Star. Some time later, as a young adult, he returned to Kawhia to seek out his father. He found John French still residing at his farm at Te Rauamoa. Tom was dismayed by what he found as his father was remarried and his wife, a European Margaret Clarke, did not warm to Tom. Also in some way Tom formed the opinion of his father John as being somewhat of a scoundrel. Subsequently Tom had little or, more likely, nothing to do with his father John Paul French.
Toms' opinion of his father was a valid one. In papers past there are three entries from the New Zealand Herald of September 16, November 4 1916 and a companion article from the Auckland Star of November 3 1916 which chronicle the abuse suffered by Margaret French (nee Clark) at the hands of John Paul French during the course of their sixteen years of marriage. Their Marriage Certificate states they were both 40 years of age when entering matrimony on December 29 1900. Paraphrasing both newspaper articles; Margaret French had applied to the courts for a separation order against her husband John Paul French on the grounds of persistent cruelty, virtually, since their union in 1900. French was subject to violent outbursts of temper, striking her drawing blood and using bad language. On one occasion he had pulled her hair out in handfuls and another time had turned her and her family out of the house for several weeks. Matters had come to a head in 1916 with the death of one son and the enlistment of another. Her son appeared in court, in uniform, stating that he feared for his mothers safety during his upcoming absence whilst serving in the army on the Western Front. There is no record of the judges' decision.
Extraordinarily however electoral rolls show them still together in 1919 at Te Rauamoa near Kawhia. When John Paul French passed away, of heart failure July 5th 1926, still residing at Te Rauamoa, Margaret French is recorded lamenting the death of her beloved husband. Window dressing I expect. John Paul French was approximately 66 years old and is buried, under weathered slab of concrete, in an unmarked paupers grave in the Otorohanga cemetery.
3. Siblings. Samuel James French (Tom's elder brother).
Born Samuel James French in Kawhia 5th June 1887 according to his war record, at least the part he hand wrote signed and dated. (this is image number 10 on Archway New Zealand's electronic data base of W.W.1 service records ). Next of kin lists a wife and two children. The Auckland cenotaph data base list a different date of birth as 5th June 1884. A closer inspection of his war history shows that the first digital record (1) in the New Zealand W.W.1 data base has been overlaid in red pen, and the final entry is dated 15/11/1917. Here, at the top of the page, the record overlaid in red pen shows the date of 5/6/1884. I believe this to be the genesis of the incorrect date of 1884. Simply a typo from 1917 over a year after Sams passing. A glance at his marriage certificate from 1908 lists age as 21, again supporting a birth date of 1887.
Was Sam a "French" ? Well maybe not. There is some conjecture in the family as to Sam's biological lineage. It seems that Sam may well have been born a Mc Gruther. A Mr. Mc Gruther being the first husband of Te Anu Pohepohe. This marriage seemed to atrophy. Certainly the Mc Gruthers descendants believe Sam comes from Te Anu Pohepohe's earlier marriage. There is also a reference in a rugby manuscript containing the names of all provincial players, which lists Sam as being born in Kawhia as Samuel James Mc Gruther, again an erroneous birth date of 1884 is shown. There are several references to Sam being schooled at Te Aute college and according to a rugby manuscript from 1898. However I have found the school records for the Kawhia Native School from both 1896 and 1898 from the Inspector of Native Schools. Sam French is listed as a pupil both years though no age or grade is recorded. Sam after leaving Te Aute, a genealogical website states, farmed with his father. Whether that was Mr. Mc Gruther or John French I do not know. Unlike Tom I am confident of Sam's date of birth, but concede he may well have been born a Mc Gruther and not of pure "French" blood like the rest of his siblings! I have a picture of the brothers Sam and Tom French together in a 1912 Westport rugby team photograph looking as alike as peas in a pod, (almost twin like). If indeed they were half siblings then the genetics of the Pohepohe whanau trump all others.
Family folklore says that Sam moved to the South Island on a holiday with a close relative, whom it seems was able to assist Sam in seeking employment. I think it is safe to say this was pre-1908. (his year of marriage). He repaid this kindness by purchasing a pair of ear rings for that person. Many years later one earring was lost after a day at the races. The surviving earring is still passed down the Turnbull branch of the family. Alexsandra Pease is the current recipient.
What I do know about Sam, is that, according to his marriage certificate to Mary Lucas Hohepa aged 21 and a spinster, the happy union took place on the 22nd April 1908 at St. Johns Church Westport. His marriage record lists Sam as being a stoker by profession and also of 21 years age. The local newspaper the Inangahua Times of 24 April 1908 also carries a piece on this occasion.
“Mary Lucas a popular Westport young lady and well known in Reefton, who has distinguished herself in hockey and cricket circles was on Wednesday married to Samuel French, one of the Rubi Seddon hands.”
The Rubi Seddon being the dredge of the Westport Harbour Board. Just to complicate things the marriage certificate also lists Sam's father as John Paul French. Possibly Sam identified with Mr. French more than Mr. Mc Gruther. And remember, as it is already been established, John Paul French was a bit of a bad tempered, violent rat bag.
In 1910 Sam appears in photographs as a member of the Westport rugby football team while continuing employment with the Westport Harbour Board as a member of the Rubi Seddon. By 1912 both Sam and Tom are members of the Westport rugby team and will remain so through to the end of 1913. In 1915 Sam French was to reach the pinnacle of his rugby playing career as a member of the Buller representative team. However it must be remembered that someone by the name of French was playing for Buller in 1911. Rugby sources credit Tom but I believe it probably was Sam as it must be acknowledged Samuel French was, on his own, a stand out, top rugby player of merit. There were two matches in 1911 where Tom was credited for playing for the Māori side as well as Buller on the same day. Just not possible. (See chapter 6 for match anomalies). Often, also in official records and team photos Sam and Tom are incorrectly labelled as being the other, so beware.
Rangi Doris French is born to the couple on 14th November 1912 and two years later Frederick Thomas Joseph French is born, 23 June 1914. One text calls him James rather than Joseph. Interestingly Frederick French appears in papers past, in 1935, as a champion rugby footballer playing fullback for Sydenham and Canterbury who then swaps codes and travels to England to play rugby league for Warrington. He is also mentioned as being six feet two, a New Zealand champion discuss thrower 1932, 1933, 1934 and champion javelin thrower 1933 and 1934. In 2025 I discovered a Wikipedia entry for a Freddie French, full name Frederick Thomas James French 17 April 1911 to 2 May 1989. I believe he died in Christchurch New Zealand. As with many historic records the birth date does note correlate with other documents. The article, obviously compiled by an Englishman, lists his Rugby League exploits in England playing fullback and centre for Warrington and Barrow during the 1930's. I have absolutely no idea of what became of Frederick French after playing in England but given his age I must one day review New Zealand and British war service records for W.W.2.
Sam and the 5th Māori Contingent.
On the 27th February 1916 Sam enlisted for armed service at Westport having undertaken his medical exam on 20th January 1916. His occupation now listed as a fitter for the Westport Harbour Board. Five foot ten, 160 lbs and of sound body. Experience with the Westport Artillery Garrison is also noted. He then joined the 5th Māori contingent and commenced training at Narrow Neck in Takapuna. His serial no. 16 / 1480. 16 denotes membership of the Māori Contingent. Promotions follow quickly, Lance Corporal by March 11th and a second stripe denoting the rank of Corporal follows on May 6th 1916. The next we hear of Sam is his departure date on 29th July 1916 on board the ship HMNZTS 60 Ulimaroa from Wellington bound for Devonport England. Sadly Sam was never to see England, he died on the 7th of August 1916, in transit, of cerebrospinal meningitis. He was buried at sea. He left a widow Mary Lucas French and two young children at their home in Peel street Westport.
It was customary for each troopship travelling between New Zealand and Europe to print an on board magazine. On board the ship Ulimaroa the Ulimo Roarer was published. Sam's fellow soldiers paid him this tribute.
“Obituary: It is with the deepest regret we have to chronicle the death of Corpl. S. J. French of the sixth (sic ) Maori Reinforcements, who died on Monday, Aug. 7. Corpl French came from Westport and was a married man with two children. He was about 28 years of age and a well-known footballer, having played in the Buller reps., and the South Island "B" team. The last rites were performed at sea on Aug. 8. Corpl. Webb acting (chaplain) officiating. The pall bearers were: Sergt. Rukiruki, Corporals Pineha, Nathan, Hooper, Ngartai, and Carroll. Sergt. Miru had charge of the firing party, and some thirty men sang that very old Maori hymn " Piko nei Te Matenga ". The sympathy of all on board Troopship 60 goes out to the widow and children in their bereavement. They can find some consolation in the knowledge that Corpl. French gave his life for King and Country in the great cause of Liberty and Justice”.
Sam is remembered on the Auckland Museum wall of remembrance and the Canterbury Provincial memorial Christchurch.
Nothing more has ever been heard of Sam's kin, though his brother, Tom, while travelling in Australia with the 1949 Māori All Blacks, was able to reunite with Sam's daughter Rangi Doris whom he had last seen as an infant. As previously mentioned, what became of Sam's son Frederick after he travelled to England to play Rugby League remains a mystery to the family. Although I do now know he eventually returned to New Zealand.
4. Siblings. Bessie French (Toms' younger sister).
I do not have an exact date of Birth for Bessie Elizabeth French. Her marriage certificate of 28 February 1913 states she was 21, a spinster and born in Te Kuiti. So she was probably born approximately 1892. She would be the last child to be born to Te Anu Pohepohe who died in July 1894 (according to her father John French's marriage certificate to Margaret Clarke his second wife in 1900). Bessie, on marrying, was to become Bessie Elizabeth Crawford. Bessie had also gone by the names of Peti Pohepohe and Huriana Pohepohe. A school record from the Department of Native Schools from 1898 in Kawhia lists a Juliana French, probably a spelling mistake.
Her marriage to William Frances Crawford in 1913 yielded five children, only one who made it to adulthood. Their children were John (died as a baby), Moana May (died aged four January 1920 from a scalding accident), Nancy Ellen (died aged 19 months 1920), Thomas Cedric (14 November 1917 to 7th October 2004), Ronald William born 1931 deceased). Thomas married Patricia Margaret Trenberth. One of their three children Sharon Frances Gaston supplied most of the family history I am sharing with you about Bessie.
I cannot tell you much more about Bessie other than when Tom returned from the war, he took up residence with Bessie and family in Hinemoa street in Hamilton from about March 1919. He had listed her in the back of his Army pay book as next of kin in New Zealand and Tom must have felt a debt of gratitude to his sister as he always looked out for her in later life. The last record I have of Bessie is her passing from Pulmonary Tuberculosis, suffered for some years according to her Death Certificate, at the age of 61 years on 21 August 1949. She passed at Tokanui Hospital in Te Awamutu. Like a lot of ancestry information her age at death conflicts with her age as stated in her Marriage certificate. She was probably approximately 57 years of age. It is possible Bessie suffered from age related dementia toward the end of her life, as a story related to me by a Cousin Bella Francis Pease indicates. Tom and a relative went to visit her one very cold day and discovered she had set a fire outside of the house and was trying to keep herself warm. Their judgement, on assessing the situation, was that she had gone mad. Tom took concern with her subsequent welfare often gifting her much appreciated financial assistance.
There was one anecdote shared by Sharon Gaston about my father Tom. It concerned Bessies' son Thomas Cedric who became a prominent cyclist from the mid 1930s'. Winning the 1/2-mile championship at Cooks Gardens Wanganui in 1936. At some part of his cycling career after winning a prestigious race, possibly Cooks Gardens, was awarded a cup of which he was very proud. Tom visiting one day borrowed the cup for purposes unknown, but possibly a prize giving? Thomas Crawford was never to see his cup ever again. I really don't know what to say .............
Sharon on reviewing this last paragraph, said she felt Bessie had wanted Tom to have the trophy because she was proud of Thomas and wanted Tom to feel the same.
Tom, Sam and Bessie's half siblings.
Mention must be made of Mutu and Hone from Te Anu Pohepohe first union with Mr. Mc Gruther as well as the possibility Sam was also born a Mc Gruther.
5. Tom's early rugby from 1910.
As mentioned Tom grew up in on Matakana Island a short trip by boat from Tauranga. Exactly what happened in the intervening period between leaving Kawhia and reuniting with his brother Sam in Westport in the South Island, pre W.W.1, I expect I'll never discover. However as I have already alluded to the earliest reference I have uncovered, that I believe refers to Tom French, comes from a Bay of Plenty news paper article of May 27 1910, which lists a "French", no initial, as a member of the Star rugby team in a match against Judea to be played in Tauranga. The Star rugby club came into existence in 1909 with the assistance of Matakana Island team. Subsequently the Bay of Plenty union was affiliated in 1911, it included Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and the regions in between. (Source, History of New Zealand Rugby Football by A.C. Swan). There is a reference from the Auckland Star of 16 August 1927 which talks of the strengths of the Taupo forwards historically .....
Quote: “Taupo has always been known for its' forwards as will be borne out by the fact that L.Cuppies (All Black),A.Grace and T. French ( Māori All Blacks) all noted forwards in the history of New Zealand, made their names whilst playing in the Taupo district”.
Toms playing advantage.
It was Toms blinding speed and height that gave him such an advantage over opposing players. Some texts report Toms' height as six foot though my mother always said six three. To put things into perspective anyone who was over six feet tall one hundred or more years ago was considered a giant. Interestingly the tallest New Zealand soldier at Gallipoli was six foot five, not particularly remarkable by comparison today. Toms' preferred playing position was as Wing Forward though often, because of his height, he also often found himself in the scrum as a Prop. Whilst playing for Buller he his listed a playing in the forwards rather than Wing Forward. The historic position of Wing Forward is similar to flanker or breakaway as we know it today. However at the time it was a contentious position to play. Union officials and rugby law makers were frequently debating its' merits. The position of wing forward is best described as being akin to an extra half back, where the player could feed the ball into the scrum and with one hand still on the scrum could harass, within reason, the opposing halfback. As the scrum was a prominent feature of play the Wing Forward position was pivotal. The position of Wing Forward became redundant in the early 1930's with the introduction of the three man front row.
One other feature of play was the forward rush, where, with the ball at foot, like soccer, the forward would make a dribbling charge up the field. In the days where an untreated leather football, made heavy by wet conditions, was difficult to pick up from the field of play the dribbling method was a most efficient and practical method to propel the ball forward quickly. This is where the phrase " On the ball comes from ". Tom French in papers past references is often described as being part of the forward rush dribbling the ball at foot. The Grey River Argus printed on 25 August 1913 makes mention of great footwork employed by Tom to propel the ball forward during a Buller v Westcoast rep match .....
“Among the forwards French and Blyth were very conspicuous for fine footwork..... and in the second half..... French carried the ball by means of good footwork to the line”.
Tom was credited as creating the " Tom French pass ", which was a scorchingly low pass from the close to the ground and was also renowned for a deceptively quick side step which left opponents gasping in surprise.
Tom French seems to burst on to the sporting scene with a vengeance in 1911. His inclusion in the 1911 Māori All black squad propels him to national prominence. Form this point forward Papers Past is chock full of references to French , T. French and Tom French up to, and beyond, his death in 1970.
6. 1911. The Māori All Blacks.
As mentioned 1911 saw Tom French burst on to the national rugby scene from almost out of nowhere. I have long thought that Toms' emergence coincided with a shift to Westport to join up with his brother Sam in 1911. References to Tom French, as a member of the 1911 Māori All black team, state that he came from the West Coast as a Buller representative. I believe this to be incorrect. The definitive History of New Zealand Rugby series of books by Arthur C. Swan allude to Tom as a Māori All black in 1911 as hailing from Buller. It is my belief that Sam French was the Buller representative of 1911. As I have previously mentioned Tom and Sam have been confused in print and also mislabelled in photographs. (A photograph of the 1911 Māori side which was donated to the New Zealand Rugby museum in Palmerston North is erroneously labelled "Sam" French rather than Tom). It is always possible that Tom became a member of the 1911 Westport team, but I have not yet found any supporting evidence, excepting Swans' "suspect" reference to him being a 1911 Buller Rep.
To confuse things further Swan lists Tom as playing for Buller in two games and the Māori All blacks in two games both on the same days during 1911. Buller vs West Coast on August 12 at Westport and the also the Māori vs Whanganui at Whanganui also on August 12. And again the same confusion with two matches played on August 26. Buller vs West Coast at Greymouth and The Māori team vs Otago at Dunedin. At those times Tom French was travelling and playing for the Māori side, this is well documented. Sam French I believe should be credited as the 1911 Buller Representative.
There are however several references to Tom French having made his name in the Taupo region, If you recall an earlier paragraph I believed the first probable reference to a "French", ( Tom ), was as a member of the 1910 Tauranga Star rugby side formed with the assistance of Matakana Island in 1909. Tom having spent an indeterminate number of years of his youth and adolescence on Matakana Island. In 1911 the Bay of Plenty region was affiliated with Taupo and the region in between. In reference to the Māori tour of New Zealand in 1911 The Manawatu Times of 5th August 1911 Lists Tom.....
“as another new player representing Lake Taupo Union and is a promising player”.
While the Otago Daily Times 26th August 1911 notes Toms' union as being Bay of Plenty. And recall as referenced the Auckland Star 16th Aug 1927 article, (mentioned in chapter 5), referencing the strength of Taupo's forwards historically includes Tom French.
It is only speculation on my part but I believe Tom, while resident in the Bay of Plenty region came to the attention of the Māori All Black manager / selector Ned Parata. Ned Paratas farm was in Rotorua and he may well have seen Tom playing in a local fixture which led to Ned considering Tom for inclusion in the 1911 Māori side. Credit must be given to Ned Parata, it was he who formalised the first official Māori side in 1910. Partly to promote Māori as a force in New Zealand rugby but also to try to combat the drain of players from the amateur rugby code to the professional rugby league code. It was believed inducements such as internal tours as well as international tours would help to retain rugby's dominance over rugby league. Ned also believed that the style of rugby could be changed by the Māori players. Parata envisioned his Māori team would play rugby in the way it should be played, "a good fast open game where they play the ball not the player".
With the benefit of many years of reflection, I now believe Tom joined Sam in the Westport team of 1912. Tom had emerged from playing in the Taupo region to become a Māori All Black in 1911. Probably while touring in the South Island with the Māori team he had met up with Sam, thus facilitating Tom's shift south to Westport in later 1911 or 1912.
A.C. Swan in his book History of New Zealand Rugby Football page 162 notes that the Māori side, of 1911, included the best of our native players. Tom had been chosen as one of those and thus propelled on to the national stage. Ten matches embracing both Islands, one against a sub union were played for five wins, one draw, and four losses. Apparently, there was also an eleventh match played at Wellington between the North and South, with North Island taking the honours. These matches were played between July and August 1911. Of the nine recognised full unions the Māori played, Tom turned out for eight matches, being rested for the Wairarapa fixture. These unions include Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu-Horowhenua, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.
1911 certainly turned out to be a pivotal year in Toms sporting career, but more importantly I believe becoming a Maori All Black and travelling the country afforded Tom experiences and opportunities that his fellow citizens, firmly cemented in their towns, villages and provinces, could never envisage let alone contemplate affording. Certainly it gave Tom and Sam the opportunity to reunite as brothers once again.
7. Westport 1912. South Island Country Team.
The Westport rugby team photograph of 1912 shows the brothers French reunited. They are both there in the back row looking as alike as peas in a pod. Elder brother Sam and the younger Tom. In the front row ex All Black Sam Bligh's gaze firmly fixes the camera. Exactly when Tom arrived in Westport I do not know, it may well have been after the end of footy season in 1911. I am guessing that they reunited while Tom was in the South Island playing for the Māori team the previous August and plans were made. I'm sure the offer of a change of pace, place, a job and somewhere to live factored into Toms decision to shift to Westport. And Westport also had a promising foot ball team to boot, which Sam had been playing for since at least 1910. Adjusting to the cold may have been Toms' only concern. I have no idea who Tom worked for whilst in Westport, but at a guess I would suggest the Westport Harbour board and maybe even as a hand on the Rubi Seddon, Westport's dredge. This may also be the time Sam had advanced his position within the Westport Harbour Board, from deck hand on the Rubi Seddon to becoming an engineer / fitter on shore. By November of 1912 Sam and wife Mary would be taking care of their first child Rangi Doris at their Peel street home.
As for rugby, Tom played weekly for the Westport team often clashing with their nearby rivals Westport Star. Tom had yet to make his debut for the Buller Representatives, who played no matches during 1912. In Westport, as was the customary amongst many small towns and provinces in those days, they hosted an annual a travelling A & P Show. (Agricultural and Pastoral Show). Amongst the usual fare, those game enough could test their prowess against professional sportsmen such as boxers, strongmen, athletes and the like. At this particular show the Australasian professional sprint champion took on all comers. Tom was one of those who rose to the challenge. He resoundingly eclipsed the champion and for his effort received a medallion. Again a demonstration of his blinding speed and athleticism. He was, almost, to repeat this feat in the desert of Egypt three years later. More about that later in chapter 13, (To Egypt).
New Zealand Māori played only one match in 1912 on August 10 against Auckland in their home city. For both reasons of economics, and convenience, the team for the one off match were picked only from the North Island based players from Auckland and Bay of Plenty. Auckland eclipsed the Māori side 27 nil. Tom and his South Island compatriots missed the opportunity to bolster the team and perhaps even out or change the outcome that year.
South Island Country team 1912.
Toms' next rugby accolade was to come with his selection for the South Island country side which played five matches throughout the North Island commencing in Auckland on the 20th July 1912. The South Island Country team was assembled in only three seasons, 1911, 1912 and 1920. Players came from the smaller South Island unions, so the larger unions of Canterbury, Southland and Otago were excluded. This team should not be confused with the South Island Rugby team assembled annually for a clash with the North Island team. Tom Played in the July 20th match, on a brilliantly sunny day in Auckland at Alexandra Park in Epsom, where the Southern team lost convincingly to Auckland 29 to 3. However the Auckland Star newspaper July 22 1912 made the following three remarks regarding Toms' play that day;
“Auckland now on the attack till French broke away from the throw in and Auckland were busy defending a passing run threatening danger ", "A dash by French stopped progress somewhat ", and, "The whites lifted the pressure French being prominent in a nice bit of work which gave his side much needed relief”.
Auckland's Coach / Manager Dave Gallaher would have been one who witnessed Toms' effort that day. Dave was to see Toms' playing prowess and potential in several more matches played against Auckland during the following year.
Next stop on the itinerary was Stratford in New Plymouth. The South team travelled over night from the Port of Onehunga on board the coastal ship Rarawa. On their arrival in New Plymouth The Taranaki news of July 24 mentioned the team had visited the recreation grounds in New Plymouth and later the oil field at Moturoa which had proved very interesting to the visitors. They played Taranaki on July 25 going down 31 to 3. Tom played in the white no.16 jersey. A match in Whanganui on the 27 July was also lost, this time 20 to 16. Tom did not play. Similarly a match against Wellington was lost 27 to 18 in the capitol. Tom again was not part of the team. Possibly an injury picked up in Stratford was causing him problems. The Final match of the five date tour was also played in Wellington on the 3rd of August. This time the white jerseys of south were to clash with the black of the North Island Country Team in less than favourable conditions. In extremely inclement, bitterly cold weather a decision was made to play the game in four twenty minute spells. Within minutes of the sides taking the field the white of the south and black of the north were indistinguishable. The field was literally a sea of mud. Quarter number three was commenced with the rain bucketing down in torrents. The referee with the agreement of both captains called a premature end to the match. The North were declared winners 14 to 3 and with that the Five match tour was over, Tom having participated in three of the South Island Country side fixtures.
8. 1913. A very busy year. Māori All Blacks in Australia, Westport and Buller.
Undoubtedly 1913 was Toms busiest and most demanding year as a footballer. He was embarking on his third year of first class rugby and was to play for Westport, the Buller Representatives and the Māori All Blacks who undertook, both an internal tour of New Zealand and, an international tour to Australia. Given his busy 1913 itinerary Tom would have missed many games for Westport during the middle of the season. Taking a leave of absence from late May through to late July to play for the Māori side and then a string of Buller matches from the end of August, finally completing the year with a one off charity match with the Māori side against the national Australian National team in Auckland on September 27.
Toms finest achievement to date was his inclusion in the 1913 Māori All Black side. They were to play ten matches in New Zealand and eight in Australia. Firstly against the Rotorua sub union and subsequently another opposing the Thames sub union on May 28 and 31 respectively. Both matches were a warm up for the following tour to Australia in June. The remaining eight after their return from Australia, including the game with the national Australian side on September 27 in Auckland. The New Zealand Herald newspaper of May 6 1913 carries a piece about the selection of the Māori team and says,
“the players selected by Mr. Ned Parata will assemble in Rotorua on May 26 and will be Mr. Parata's guests at his farm at Rotongata ten miles out where they will do their training during their stay”.
Such was the shoe string amateurish nature of such ventures in 1913.
Once again Alex Takarangi was to captain the Māori team as he had done since the formation of the Māori side as it's own entity in 1910. For those who are deeply interested by New Zealand teams who have visited the Australian shores there is an excellent manuscript, " They Came to Conquer " by Howell and Maxwell. This text delves deeply into each tour and will tell you all you need to know. It also includes Tom's tour of Australia in 1949 as coach / manager of the Māori side. The 1913 team included at least five members of its' personal who had played for the team in one or more of the previous three years. Most notably absent was George Sellars who was busy with the All Blacks on their tour of California. It was felt the Māori team may have been stronger if more of its' members, who often hailed from smaller unions and sub unions had, had more exposure to playing for larger unions at a higher tempo.
After the two warm up matches the team steamed to Australia and on June 9 1913 found themselves facing a full strength New South Wales team in Sydney in wet conditions where the field quickly became a quagmire. The red and black hoops of the Māori side soon becoming indistinguishable from the jerseys worn by New South Wales. NSW prevailed 15 to 3. Against Northern Districts at Tamworth, June 11, the Māori side won 29 to 8. Toms' scored his first try of the tour. Next a loss to Queensland in Brisbane, June 14, 9 to 19. A rematch four days later on June 18, in brilliant weather saw the tables turn with the Māori side winning 11 to 0 also in Brisbane. Tom scored another try. A move back to Sydney on June 21 saw an engagement against Metropolitan Union which was won 6 to 3 by the Māori. Again a try to Tom. On June 23 in Sydney New South Wales once again held the edge defeating the Māori team 16 to 5. June 25 saw a win against Western Districts 11 to 8 at Bathurst. The final match of the tour in Sydney was won convincingly by the Māori All blacks 31 to 3 against City and Suburban association, on June 28, with one final try to Tom. All up the Australian tour saw the side with five wins and three losses. Not a bad record for a side who were not considered to be as strong as the 1910 Māori team who had also toured Australia. It is widely believed that a serious injury incurred by S.M.J. Piki who was the half back, and considered extremely talented and pivotal in his role, severely disadvantaged the Māori sides ability to play at their full potential for the rest of the tour. Piki received a compound fracture to his leg in the first match against New South Wales. He spent many months in hospital in Sydney as the leg refused to knit adequately. Captain Alex Takarangi was also hampered by injury throughout the tour. Tom French for his part appeared in seven of the eight matches, seemingly to be preferred in the position of prop forward and being rested only for the encounter with Queensland on June 14, which was lost by the touring side 19 to 9. Tom French for his part came away from the tour with an enhanced reputation and four tries.
On their return from Australia the Māori were to resume their tour of New Zealand, playing a further seven games, starting with Auckland on July 5. It is reported the team were still suffering from a very rough crossing of the Tasman when they took to the field. The Auckland side under the guidance of Dave Gallaher prevailed 25 to Nil. Of the seven internal matches played, the Māori won three, against Horowhenua July 9, 7 to 6, Southland July 16, 8 to 5 and South Canterbury, July24,19 to 8. The Māori team succumbed to two further losses against Canterbury, July 12, 11-nil and a very exciting final match of the tour against Wellington on July 26 in the capitol. Here Wellington just pipped the Māori side 23 to 21.
.
Tom played in all the nine New Zealand matches which had begun in May. All up he played in 16 of the 17 Māori All Black engagements between May and July and was to make his very last appearance for a Māori team when they came up against the national Australian side in Auckland on September 27 to play a charity match for Sammy Piki who was still recovering in hospital in Sydney. The Australian side had earlier approached Ned Parata about organising an encounter with the Māori side purely to raise funds for the benefit of Piki and his family. This encounter was not to be classified in the history books as a first class match, as the hastily arranged Māori side contained two European players. Interestingly Australia's finest had defeated the New Zealand All black side in the third test 16 points to 5 in Christchurch during the preceding week. In a spirited match on a fast dry field the Māori side surprised the Australians beating them 12 points to 9. This match also marked the last representative match for the Auckland season 1913. This was also to be Toms last association, as a player, with Māori rugby in New Zealand. Sammy Piki did not receive any monetary benefit from the days takings, as costs were said to exceed profit. Piki finally returned to New Zealand with the New Zealand Cricket Team seven months after his injury. His Merivale club and the Canterbury union arranged a charity match in which 101 pounds were raised for the Piki family.
The match in Auckland between the Maori and Australia's best would have given Dave Gallaher another chance to see Tom in full flight.
1913 continued. Return to Westport. Buller representative.
1913 was far from over as Toms playing abilities expanded, while recognition of his playing prowess blossomed. Returning to Westport after the Māori's last official engagement against Wellington, Tom reengaged with Sam and his fellow players in the Westport team who had a particularly good season in 1913. The Buller Representative squad were to play five fixtures this season winning all five. In fact, in spite of what many rugby history books record, these matches I believe were the first opportunity Tom had to represent the province of Buller. As I have previously stated I believe references to T. French in 1911 and 1915 as being a member of Buller should actually be credited to his brother Samuel French. Tom was to play in four Buller engagements being initially picked for the match against Nelson on Wednesday 14th. However both J. Colvin and T. French were stood aside in order to be in top form for the, highly anticipated, Seddon Shield clash against Marlborough the following Saturday.
Matches played by Buller in the 1913 season were as follows, versus Westcoast at Greymouth won 20 to 9. Against Canterbury B at Westport won 8 to 5. Against Nelson at Nelson won 16 to 3. Against Marlborough at Blenheim 3 to 0. And finally versus Westcoast again at Westport won 9 to 5. The match against Marlborough held the greatest significance as it was for the Seddon Shield, played for by the smaller unions of the West Coast and upper South Island. Won by only three points which came from the boot of Captain Samuel Bligh after a mark by Clement Green. Winning the Seddon Shield was a big deal for Westport as the Marlborough Express writes on September 20 1913 .....
“After winning the Seddon Sheild the Buller representatives were enthusiastically received when they returned to Westport on Sunday night. About 2000 people and the Garrison Band turning out to meet them. They were accorded a civic welcome”.
From these Buller matches come a series of newspaper article detailing Toms Playing prowess. The New Zealand Times 1 September 1913 writing about Buller versus Canterbury B .....
“French, the Buller forward who recently toured Australia with the Māori team stood out on his own amongst the forwards, and it is difficult to understand why he was not included in the Californian team”, ( All Black team to California ). This article was also syndicated in other papers across New Zealand.
This from The Colonist September 9 1913 referring to the Buller team,
“ T. French is a sterling player and stands on his own”.
From the Marlborough Express of 16 September 1913, regarding the Seddon Shield encounter between Buller and Marlborough. “French was the most conspicuous member of the visiting pack and is indeed a good forward”.
There was one reference from the Greymouth Evening Star of 12 Aug, 1913 about a match between Buller and Inangahua which mentions.... “French goaled from a try by Malloy”. One of only two refences I ever found recording Tom kicking goals.
The last match of the season on October 5th 1913 was played by club sides Westport against their long time rivals White Star for the Buller Shield. Westport defeated White Star 10 to 3. This was to be the last game of rugby Tom French would play for Westport and with his brother Sam.
9. 1914. Dave Gallaher and the powerhouse of Auckland rugby.
Dave Gallaher is a legendary figure in New Zealand rugby history, renowned for his leadership and skill on the field. He captained the famous 1905 New Zealand rugby team the "Originals" on their remarkably successful tour which included the British Isles, France and British Columbia in North America. Returning to Auckland he spent the latter part of his life coaching, selecting and managing rugby teams mainly in Auckland. As we will discover, from humble origins came greatness.
There is a long standing myth that Dave was born Gallagher with a "g" in Ramelton in the north of Ireland. According to the story the family dropped the "g" after emigrating to New Zealand for ease of pronunciation in their new land. Recent restoration work on the family home in Ramelton uncovered the name Gallaher, without a "g", carved into a ceiling timber. Clear evidence, that from at least that time, the name was spelled in that manner.
Dave was the third son of James and Maria Gallaher who, together with children from James first marriage, raised a brood of seven children. James was a draper but as times grew harder and making ends meet became increasingly difficult, the couple made the bold decision to seek a new beginning beyond their shores. In 1878 the family emigrated to New Zealand eventually settling in Katikati. The fresh start they hoped for was fraught with difficulty. Life in this new country was harsh and the family struggled financially. By the age of 13 Dave had no choice but to leave school and find employment to help the household. By seventeen he was working at the Northern Roller Mills in Auckland. Thereafter he secured a position with the Auckland Farmers Freezing Company, starting out as a labourer handling frozen meat products bound for the United Kingdom. A humble beginning for a young man who's legacy continues to resonate well into the twenty first century.
Dave had a keen interest in sport in general but excelled in playing rugby and was doing so from 1895 with the Ponsonby club in Auckland. The Boar war, in South Africa, intervened and Dave signed up for the New Zealand Contingent of Mounted Rifles in January 1901. Oddly he listed his date of birth as being October 30 1876, three years later than his actual birthdate. Perhaps he thought his chances of selection would be enhanced if he seemed a little younger. He was to retain this modified birth date, once again, when he enlisted for the First World War. The Contingent travelled to South Africa and Dave was to remain there, in sporadic combat, until returning to New Zealand in August 1902.
In 1903 Dave rekindled his passion for playing rugby and was rewarded with his first cap in the national side touring Australia. His highest accolade in Rugby came about in 1905 when as Captain of the National Team he lead them to an incredibly successful tour of the United Kingdom losing only one match to Wales 3 nil. Concluding the tour the team returned home via matches in Paris and British Columbia. It was this acclaimed team that put New Zealand firmly on the world stage as amongst the greatest of rugby playing nations. Form then on they were to be known as the All Blacks. Dave on returning home in March 1906 retired from the game but took on an interest in coaching and selecting sides in Auckland and nationally as a member of the All Black selection committee. He continued his sporting endeavours playing cricket, athletics and sailing in Auckland Harbour. He married Nellie Francis in October of 1906 and in September their, only child, daughter Nora was born.
Dave Gallaher, as Auckland selector, had seen Tom play in Auckland in 1912 with the South Island Country team and in a couple of fixtures in 1913 featuring the Māori side. Once when the Māori side played Auckland in July 1913 and again when they assembled, after returning from Australia, to play the Australian national side at Alexandra Park in Epsom. Startlingly the Māori side triumphed over the Australians 12 to 9 on the 27th September1913. Whilst both the Māori and South Island sides had been comprehensively beaten by the Auckland juggernaut I feel assured Dave Gallaher was sufficiently impressed by Toms' playing abilities that, though it is only speculation on my part I believe an approach was made to Tom, after the Australian match of 1913, along the lines of ..... "leave the relative obscurity of the Buller province and come to the powerhouse of provincial Auckland rugby and great things may follow". Interestingly Dave Gallaher who had played wing forward in his later playing days, was enthusiastic about Toms potential and may well have seen parallels in Toms' take on the game and his own. It must be remembered that Dave was also one of four current All Black selectors.
Tom French's abilities on the field certainly had placed him on the cusp of All Black honours. If fate or the "stars" had intervened earlier in Toms' life and he had joined one of the larger regional unions he may well have already been an All Black. Either way Auckland offered the opportunity to raise his playing skills to a whole new level with five top grade club sides playing weekly. University, Ponsonby, City, College Rifles and Marist Brothers.
Dave Gallaher was very kind and helpful in helping Tom establish himself in Auckland. For a time, after Toms' arrival, Dave allowed Tom to board with his family at their home in Ponsonby. Dave had been engaged by the Auckland Farmers Freezing Works Company for a number of years and by this time was a Foreman on Kings Wharf. There he found Tom a job by his side involving transfer of refrigerated cargo from the warehouse into the ship. This job entailed constant manual handling of frozen animal carcasses which would have kept all those involved fit, strong and healthy. Tom and the lads also running an occasional errand for Dave on matters totally unrelated to freezing works business. Once firmly established in full time employment Tom was able to find his own accommodation at a boarding house, run by the parents of an ex All Black, at no.5 Grafton road.
According to family members Tom, at some stage in his life, had been a member of the Druids society. A fraternal organisation somewhat akin to the modern Freemasons. Interestingly Dave Gallaher was a member of the Ancient Order of the Druids and attended fortnightly meetings in Newton not far from his home, while still being a regular attendee at All Saints Anglican Church with his wife Nellie every Sunday. I expect Toms' association with the Druids may well have been due to the influence of Dave. Certainly Toms' association with the fellowship of Druids was short lived.
We leave Dave's story, and association with Tom French, for the moment. But we will pick it up again later in the 1916 European war theater chapter of this work. (chapter 25).
10. Auckland rugby club "City". Pre war idol of the crowds, sent off in disgrace. 1914.
With the football season approaching Tom became a member of the City team. He was now playing with, training with and playing against post and present All Blacks. He had to step up to the mark and prove he was at the top of his game amongst his peers. Papers past carries several articles on the prospects of the City club for the 1914 season. The Auckland Star 5 May 1914......
“City club promises to be rather stronger than last year. Retaining the flower of the 1913 combination, it will be added to by Walters and French in the forwards, the former of Australasian international reputation and the latter a husky member of last years New Zealand native team”. And in the Sun May 8 1914, “French the tall forward who was one of the best men in the last Maori team in Australia is now Playing for the City club in Auckland”.
Pre war idol of the crowds.
There are several historical distinctions Tom is associated with pertaining to Eden Park, which from 1914 was to become the premier playing venue in Auckland. Until the beginning of 1914 the leading venue for rugby in Auckland had been Potters field near Greenlane Epsom. It is now known as Alexandra Park, a site for horse trotting meetings. It was felt a more comprehensive venue was needed and so a dilapidated swamp was transformed into a suitable playing surface and Eden Park in Sandringham was commissioned by early 1914. Toms' primary association with the new venue was as a member of the first ever team to take the field of Eden Park on May 2 for a pre season club game in cold blustery conditions against University. Two weeks later on May 16 City defeated the Ponsonby side in the first ever competition game. Later in the season Tom was also to play in the first representative match against Canterbury on August 15. Toms' second and perhaps most enduring historical distinction and association with Eden Park was that he was the first ever player to be sent off. The exact time and circumstances have been lost in history, but as his son Tony tells it one of the opposing players had eyes for the girl Tom was keen on. Incensed by this Tom punched the other player in the nose, the crowd booed, Tom thumbed his nose at the crowd and was duly marched off the pitch. Not a great day for Tom, but definitely a great day for family folk law.
He was to return after World War One and marry that same "girl". Incidentally Toms' son Tony seemed to think the victim may have been one of the three Casey boys, we may never actually know. The girl in question was Hannah Courtney, a tailor by trade. It is believed Tom met Hannah when seeking her tailoring services to alter a piece of clothing. Some family members say however that it was actually his army uniform that needed altering. This would push the "punch in the nose incident" into the timeline of 1915. Still possible however because he played in Auckland that year, for City and against Auckland, on several occasions. Alas we will never know for sure.
And all this from a man who is described in an old newspaper clipping, I have at home, as being " The pre war idol of the crowds". Many years after Toms' return from the war he was playing in a golden oldies rugby game as a curtain raiser to the main event. The referee blew his whistle in a staged reenactment of the pre war indiscretion and ordered Tom off. Toms' team mates were in on the stunt, the crowd laughed. By all accounts Tom was none to pleased to be the butt of the joke.
Competition amongst the Auckland club sides was fierce in 1914. City battled their way to the championship title against University in the last week of July. Heavy rain that weekend saw the postponement of the match until the following Saturday 1st August. In a low scoring hard fought battle University only just prevailed 3 to nil. There is a consensus amongst news papers of the time that City were the better team, but for the bounce of the ball. University won seven matches that season, City six, followed by Ponsonby, Marist brothers and College Rifles with just two.
In the days following that match Britain declared war on Germany following the German invasion of Belgium. The Date was August 4th 1914. With Britain's war declaration the entire British Empire including New Zealand would become entangled in the tumultuous events we now call World War One.
The main event in Auckland rugby that year occurred late in the season with four inter provincial matches to be played. These carried on as normal despite of the recent declaration of war. Tom French made his debut in the "big time" representative matches playing against Canterbury at Eden Park on August 15 1914. Again papers past yields a trove of comment regarding Toms' play.
N.Z. Herald August 17, “Canterbury was immediately in trouble and the local forwards headed by Sellars and French were responsible for good dashing work.", "French made a brilliant dribbling rush”, “off side play by French resulted in a ( successful ) penalty of three points”.
N.Z. Herald August 19, "French, the Auckland forward, gave a sterling exhibition. He followed up and tackled in great style, and was at all stages of the game very prominent". Auckland beat Canterbury 11 to 3.
In the next match against Taranaki August 22, Auckland carried the day 13 to 8. The Auckland Star wrote that day,
“French broke through from the scrum and shifted the scene of operations ", " and the forwards headed by French got the local team out of trouble”.
N.Z. Herald August 26 on same match, “French showed out most prominently, but his good play was marred by offside play”. Again The Observer 29 August, “French was brilliant in attack but showed a tendency to get off side”.
Regarding Toms' propensity for offside play, I expect it shows a degree of competitive eagerness.
In the match against Southland on August 29, which Auckland won convincingly by 43 to 5, problems with the kicker allowed Tom to take his own shot at putting one over the bar, unfortunately according to the Auckland Star August 29, “French's kick failed” This is the only the second reference I have ever seen about Tom kicking goals.
The Observer September 5, “The Auckland forwards worked splendidly to a man and there were no passengers. French, Barret, Avery and Bilkey were all prominent in the turn”.
The highly anticipated fourth and final inter provincial rugby game for Auckland that season took place at Eden Park on September 5th against long time rivals Wellington in front of Ten thousand people, on a fine day, with the field in very good order. To add interest there were 1000 troops in camp at Epsom who, with their band leading, made the march to the sports ground that day to witness the spectacle. The match was a hard torrid grinding affair and the news papers seemed less than impressed by play that day. It was a draw 3 a piece. Dave Gallaher kept the Auckland squad in training, at the Ponsonby shed, for the next week as Auckland had a scheduled clash with Taranaki for the Ranfurly shield on September 17. However, as events transpired Wellington lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Taranaki on September 10 rendering Auckland's challenge redundant. The game against Wellington was to be Toms last outing for the Auckland Representative team.
There was however one last inter club match in 1914 for the Challenge trophy as the Auckland Star called it, or the Charity Cup as The Herald recorded it. This took place between the two top Auckland club sides, City and University on September 12 1914. All proceeds including gate takings were to go to the Patriotic Fund, all up 120 pounds. University won 11 to 6.
The Auckland Star September 12 records “French led the City forwards again to the attack”.
This was the last game many footballers were ever to play for their club sides, Tom however was to play again for City, and against his former Auckland representative side in 1915, as a member of the New Zealand Trentham Army team. Interestingly during the war years rugby continued but at a very low ebb. In Auckland, like others centres, an age restriction was put on participants who had to be under twenty years old.
There were two teams that Tom didn't make, or play for in 1914. One was the Māori All Black team who were assembled for a one off match against Wellington on June 3 where Wellington just scraped home 15 to 13. Tom French was named for the team but did not play that day despite fellow Auckland provincial players Sellars and Tresize doing so. Tom also missed out on selection for the All Black tour of Australia in July. Again I believe timing was the issue here. The team were chosen before June and it was to be August before Tom was given his chance to shine amongst the top echelon of provincial players. And given the plethora of comments in papers past regarding the last couple months of the 1914 season, it is shown Tom really did shine. Also it must be remembered that while Tom was in the "eye" of All Black selector Dave Gallaher, he may not have garnered the attention of the other three selectors, based in the provinces, that season.
Interestingly in reviewing Papers past for the Months of August and September for stories on Tom it becomes very apparent that there is an increasing concern for the events unfolding in Europe, so far away. There is a distinct thread of patriotism verging on the jingoistic. It seems all eyes and thoughts are turning toward the developing war. In fact three of Toms' Auckland team mates were in Australia, with the All black team, when word of war broke out. Apparently the entire team made a pledge to sign up on their return to New Zealand's shores. With fervour like that who wasn't going to heed the call to war? Dave Gallaher also had the patriotic streak and it is believed he was enthusiastic in his support for the war effort and the duty of all those who could, to serve their country. Certainly the majority of Toms' team mates were to sign up. Quite how Tom thought about the war effort I do not know. It's hard to believe that he too was not caught up in the rush to serve King and country. I have often pondered this question and wondered whether societal pressure, nationalism, or even the church who were often complicit in their support and fermentation of nationalistic zeal, helped to shape Toms view of the world. I discussed these points with military historian Chris Pugsley once. He sighed, rolled his eyes and said, "he was going because all of his mates were going". And that, I guess, was that!
11. 1915. War and rugby.
In the first few weeks after the declaration of war the authorities nationwide were swamped by the sheer volume of men who wanted to enlist in the armed forces. The standing army did not have the space or resources to respond adequately to the deluge of keen aspirants and it was not until well into the following year of 1915 that training camps such as Trentham and Featherstone, both north of Wellington, could be established. The Government was however, able to send a sizeable force to seize the German held territory of Samoa by the end of August 1914.
Either in later 1914 or early 1915 Tom found his way to the recruiting hall in Rutland street in Auckland. The first we hear of Tom actively embarking on military service comes with a report in the Auckland Star newspaper of February 27th 1915 of T. French and his fellow City team mate V. McNabb as being passed medically fit for service. Of the 45 recruits examined the previous afternoon 35 were accepted and the rest rejected as being medically unfit. The Star reports Toms progress as,
“The following 18 men from no.1 group, Auckland have been notified they have been posted to the Otago regiment to bring the Quota from the district up to full strength”. Tom along with his mate McNabb are also listed as members of the 18.
So there it is, Tom is to enter the Trentham army training camp as a member of the Otago Battalion, D company, who were part of the sixth reinforcements. Tom was attested on 17th April 1915 when he entered Trentham camp, Toms initial service no. was 8 / 2595. The 8 denoting Otago regiment. It is during his training at Trentham that he is appointed to the rank of sergeant. I still have two photographs of him proudly in uniform with the Otago badge on his cap. The camp was a harsh tough environment and very cold in the midst of winter. Sanitary conditions soon deteriorated due to the overwhelming numbers in training such that, the camp had to be temporarily closed mid year because of a epidemic of accumulated diseases.
It should be noted that the Otago and Canterbury regiments were to take severe losses On October 12 1917 in the Battle of Belvue Spur, known in New Zealand as Passchendaele. However Tom was to transfer to another battalion by August 1915, (the second Māori Contingent). This decision may well have come to spare his life in 1917.
Toms' military history sheet commences from his arrival and attestation at Trentham military training camp and includes all the information we know of him so far, born 16 September 1889, age 25 years and 5 months father John French of Te rauamoa Waikato, Assistant at Farmers Auckland Freezing Company ( Kings Wharf ), residing at no. 5 Grafton rd. Also of interest Tom claims to have had two years military experience in the Palmerston Rifles. I have searched for any reference to this body, but have not been successful. Height 6 feet, weight 12 stone 7lbs. chest maximum of 40 inches, sight and hearing normal. His medical record records inoculations on May 2nd and 9th. From this point on Tom was to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force until his discharge on the 2nd May 1919. A total of four years and 16 days.
At Trentham the fresh recruits were drilled and trained and disciplined to a level many from civy street would never have experienced let alone imagined possible. This is where Tom and his fellow rugby players had an advantage over their non athletic compatriots. In fact the intensity of physical drill lifted the rugby playing soldiers to a new plateau of physical fitness. It was said that any combination of Trentham rugby players would be more than a match for any opposing international side.
Trentham army rugby team 1915.
Rugby flourished in the camp in 1915. In fact there were three Trentham teams A, B and C whom were of such strength that they were included in the Wellington club competition held weekly. Tom French was a member of Trentham C. In fact there was so much rugby talent assembled at Trentham that they fielded a representative grade team who played against the Wellington and Auckland representatives teams respectively. It is as a member of the Trentham representative team that Tom garnered some of his greatest plaudits in newspapers throughout New Zealand in the winter months of 1915.
In the match of May 1st, between Wellington and the Trentham rep. sides, Trentham prevailed 17 to nil. The Dominion of May 3 1915 states, using the description "general" .....
“Downing, Taylor and French led irresistible attacks on the foe. French ( alias "the general" ) was first to score”. Downing, soon, would be dead in Gallipoli by early August 1915.
In a club side match Trentham C versus Athletic, The Free Lance of 21 May 1915 records this about Tom,
“One that pleased immensely, was T. French whose display in the loose forward rushes was something to enthuse about. The Auckland Representative went great guns right through the piece and only the bounce of the ball on at least a couple of occasions prevented him from putting scores to the credit of his side. If there had been one or two other forwards who could have paced it with French when he dashed through, the Athletic backs would have had a hard time of it. As it was, French solus was hard enough to keep away from the scoring base”.
Or this from the Evening post 22 May 1915,
“French's performance in the open forward work was highly commendable. Again and again the tall forward would be seen, leading a rush of men in maroon, or harrying the Athletic backs. In following up he was an example to all. Many times the ball would be kicked in field by a Trentham back, and before the Athletic backs could return it, French would be on them”.
Again, Evening post 29 May 1915, again using the description "General".....
“General French. The most brilliant forward amongst the soldiers was French, a tireless battler, who became most dangerous when both teams were wearying. Near the conclusion of the match he went through the whole ruck, ball at foot, but did not quite succeed in scoring”.
The Trentham representative team departed Wellington in early June to play Toms former side Auckland. Contested in perfect weather, on June 5th, in front of 7000 spectators Auckland went down 15 to 5. As it was a benefit match proceeds of over 223 pounds were raised for the hospital ship fund.
Indeed Tom French was truly at the top of his game in 1915. The above news paper quotes are only a small selection of those written about Tom and the players in Trenthams' rugby teams that year.
Incidentally Tom was to play for his Auckland City club side in two matches while on leave from Trentham camp. With his mate McNabb they both turned out for City in a match against Marist. Despite concerns over their eligibility to play, now being ex Auckland citizens, they both took the field. They beat Marist 13 to nil. However there was a storm of indignation from Marist who challenged the legitimacy of the match. The powers that be, determined that the two players in question should not have been playing that day and awarded the match to Marist thus changing the ranking of each side on the club table. This didn't stop Tom and another Trenthemite Watson turning out for City on 26th July when they beat Ponsonby 9 to nil. It is possible Tom, by the commencement of the second match, was now part of, or applying for, the Second Māori Contingent who were training in Auckland, meaning he could be considered a legitimate Auckland based citizen once more.
12. The Second Māori Contingent. August 1915. Kawhia Springs ritual ceremony.
Tom French 2nd Māori Contingent serial no. 16/972
The circumstances are unclear but Tom put in for a transfer while stationed at Trentham camp. This was, probably, of his own volition. Whether it was actually suggested to him or because he wanted to be with his mates, or even just weird circumstance, Tom chose to join the 2nd Māori Contingent who were in training at the newly established grounds at Narrow Neck Beach at Fort Takapuna Auckland. The date was August 4 1915 and Tom had a new serial no. 16/972. The 16 denotes Māori. In transferring to another unit it was customary to take a demotion in rank. Tom found himself one stripe less, dropping from sergeant to corporal. The Second Contingent had first begun assembling at Narrow Neck on July 1 1915 and were initially 340 recruits strong. They were not to achieve full strength until August due to the combined effects of a measles outbreak and the need to build more accommodation for the burgeoning numbers of Māori volunteers.
The only record of Toms' involvement with the contingent, gleaned from his medical records, while training at Takapuna is a period of hospitalisation between August 25 and September 1. His ailment is recorded as a cold. As I have said, quite why Tom transferred to the Māori Contingent is not fully understood. But if I were to make a speculative bet, and knowing Toms' cunning nature, I would wager it had something to do with that girl who was "responsible" for that opposition player getting a punch in the nose the previous year. Maybe Tom had come to Auckland so he could be close to his girlfriend for, at least, a little while longer. That girl you'll remember was Hannah Courtney.
The First Māori Contingent having previously trained at Avondale race course in Auckland were now in Gallipoli. They had assembled at Avondale race course between the 17th and 22nd of October 1914. Their combined number consisted of 500 volunteers made up of siblings, fathers and sons, grandfathers under 40 years of age and many who were underage. The Contingents' formation was under the guidance of the M.C.C. (Māori Contingent Committee), who had partitioned the Government of the day to allow for a solely Māori contribution to help prosecute the war. The First Contingent left New Zealand's shores on the 14th February 1915 arriving in Egypt March 26. Separated from the Main army body, who were to invade Gallipoli on the 25th of April, they instead took up garrison duty on the Island of Malta. On July 3rd 1915 they were to rejoin the main body, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, initially as a labour unit. Their chance to join the fighting came with the first contingents inclusion in the assault on Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli heights from August 6th. It was not until January 1916 that they were to return to Egypt and unite with the Second Contingent.
Kawhia Springs ritual ceremony.
The Kawhia Springs held deep significance for Ngāti Hikairo warriors of the past, here warriors underwent a Karakia, or blessing ceremony at the sacred spring site before departing for battle. Today, the hot springs are known as Te Puia Springs and can be accessed from Ocean Beach. Māori warriors of the early twentieth century were to be no different from their ancestors. Many departing soldiers were taken to the springs to undergo this ritual ceremony throughout the course of the war. Tom and several others participated in this ritual just prior to their embarkation.
Rangi Kanokano, sister of Toms' mother Te Anu Pohepohe was a Tohunga and conducted this ancient ritual. The young soldiers were led to the Te Puia hot springs where they were directed to enter the breaking ocean waters and stand there with their legs astride. An ancient incantation was recited and the participants were told to cast a sprig of Toe Toe into the waves. According to ritual if the cast Toe Toe returned between their legs, it signified that they would return from the war. All that undertook the ceremony with Tom were assured a safe return. Among those that are known to have participated in this ceremony during the war, including Tom, were Wattie Barclay Tom's cousin (Māori All Black and good mate), Haki Ponui, Tame Ponui, Thomas Tutt, Wiremu Barlow, William Barlow and Samuel French. Three local boys the Langley's, sons of Rewa Langley, were said to have spurned this ritual ceremony. Tragically none were to ever return to New Zealand's shores. During the Second World War Ngāti Hikairo warriors, once again, undertook this ancient ritual prior to departing our shores to confront an enemy in lands unknown.
13. To Egypt. Zeitoun in Cairo and Moascar Ismalia. October 1915.
The second Māori contingent were to depart New Zealand's shores by troop transport ship from Wellington. Prior to departure, in Auckland, they marched up Queen street to a rousing farewell in the Town Hall on September 17. Training over night to Wellington. Once again, on reaching Wellington, a similar farewell was celebrated in their Town hall. Carrying the rank of Corporal, Tom French 16/972 departed the shores of New Zealand on the 18th September 1915 on board HMNZT 29, the Waitemata, under the command of Captain Nicholson bound for Egypt. The troop ship arrived at the port of Suez, southern entry to the Suez canal on October 26 1915, bringing with it elements of the Rifle Brigade, Sixth Reinforcements and 300 men of the Second Māori Contingent. The Contingent entrained to Zeitoun in Cairo where they made camp. Zeitoun was not far from central Cairo. The contingent was expecting that after a short training period they would quickly be dispatched to join the First Māori Contingent at Gallipoli where fighting had been raging since April 25. This however was not to be the case and so the 2nd Contingent Māori troops set about acclimatising themselves and visiting the sights and distractions of Cairo. As well as the inevitable drill and physical training regime the Second Contingent performed guard duties at various Cairo military Hospitals.
The First Māori Contingent were to be evacuated from Gallipoli just prior to Christmas 1915, actually spending Christmas day at sea. On reaching Egypt, "Gypo Land" as some called it, the remnants of the First Contingent entrained for Moascar Ismailia an outpost in the desert adjacent to the Suez Canal. Later to be joined by the Second Contingent.
It was at Zeitoun camp in Cairo that we next hear of Tom. This time in athletics rather than his favoured sport of rugby. In an inter-battalion sporting event, which the Free Lance Magazine reports .....
"that on Boxing day December 27 (sic) a sports meeting at Zeitoun was held incorporating all athletic disciplines of Long Jump, Putting, Hurdles, Sprints and Long distance running. On a track made of sand laid out with water and a roller, Tom competed in the 440 yard dash against the champion runner "Darky" Byrne. Byrne was a proficient runner holding the Wellington half and three mile titles and also becoming 1915 New Zealand half mile champion". Tom to his credit came second in his race to a very able and accomplished athlete. The article also notes Fryer from Canterbury placed third. ............. source Free Lance Volume XV issue 817, from 25 February 1916.
Letters written home by Wiremu (Bill) Maopo 2nd Māori Contingent, published by a relative in the text "The Last Maopo" details life at the time in Egypt. Wiremu mentions going into Cairo from camp, in early December, to watch the battalions Māori team play the N.Z. artillery men in a match for the benefit of the Red Cross fund. He describes it as a hard match which the boys won 14 points to 10. Tom French was a member of this Māori side and fondly remembered the honour of captaining the team on several occasions in the desert. Another game on December 17 saw the Māori side go down to the 7th Reinforcements 5 points to 3. A letter home on January 8 from Zeitoun camp penned by Maopo complains about getting a lot of hard work drilling in the desert from 6 till 8.30 in the morning followed by route marches from breakfast till dinner and then rifle shooting.
14. Egypt 1916.
The Second Māori Contingent left Zeitoun in Cairo and were welcomed by the 1st contingent, already encamped at Moascar Ismailia Egypt (adjacent the Suez Canal), on January 18 1916. The first were still recuperating after their hellish incursion into Gallipoli. Many in the second contingent barely recognised friends and comrades such was their state of dishevelment and atrophy. Rikihana Carkeek member of the first contingent, in his book Home little Māori Home, marvelled at how clean, spick and span the new comers were. That aside the 2nd Contingent were given a rousing haka as a welcome from the soldiers of the First Contingent. The First Contingent were originally sent to Malta from Egypt to act as garrison troops, well out of harms way. After great protestation and politicking they were returned to Egypt, eventually being transferred to the Gallipoli Peninsula where severe conditions had left the New Zealand Division short of reinforcements. The Māori's toiled on the beaches unloading cargo, ferrying it manually up the slopes and in the hills as battlefield labourers digging and repairing entrenchments. Due to the high rate of attrition of the NZEF frontline soldiers on Gallipoli, the Māori 1st Contingent were called to battle for the August 1915 offensive on Chunuk Bair. Here, indisputably, their credentials as mighty warriors were woven into the tapestry of history ....... August 6 1915.
Rikihana Carkeek also mentions while at Ismailia they were camped at the Sweet Water Canal where, for the next few months, they underwent training and were reorganised to the extent the battalion was divided up along tribal lines and various components were assigned to Pakeha platoons. Waikato and Ngpuhi were assigned to the Auckland Battalion. Effectively the unique ethnicity of the contingents was extinguished, and with it their identity. They were very unhappy about being broken up and losing their identity as a solely Maori based unit.
15. The Pioneer Battalion forms. Evolution of a name.
The Māori troops were soon again regrouped and organised to form up as a part of a Pioneer Battalion. By this time the First Contingent from Gallipoli and Second Contingent had been joined by the Third Contingent who also included a Pacifica component. A second evolution of the Contingents comes with the formation of the Pioneer Battalion on February 20th 1916. The membership of this Battalion was two thirds Māori and one third Pakeha with the union of the three Māori Contingents with the Otago Mounted Rifles. The men of the Otago's did not take well to being withdrawn from a front-line fighting unit and being assigned a pick and shovel in a labour unit. Indeed both Māori and Pakeha lamented losing their former unique identities. There undoubtedly, also would have been a racially based dislike from some of the Mounted Rifles at being forced to serve along side Māori.
On March 1 1916 the 18,000 strong New Zealand Division was formed. The New Zealanders constituted one third of the three Divisions of the Australian / New Zealand Army Corps. (ANZAC). The division consisted of three brigades each with four battalions. The 1st, formally the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, 2nd Reinforcements and Rifle Brigade. The fourth component being the Pioneer Battalion who, at full strength, could muster 1030 men. Initial strength however approximately four company's, (A,B,C,D) each of 200 men further divided into 4 platoons.
The third evolution of the battalion was to occur in September 1917. Up until this time the Māori component of the Pioneers had always been short of replacements due to an unending roll call of casualties. It was only by late 1917 that sufficient Māori troops had accumulated in England that an opportunity to establish a solely Māori labour force was considered possible. Thus what we now know as the New Zealand ( Māori ) Pioneer Battalion came into existence with the original badge being reinstated. The date was 1st September 1917. The remnants of the Otago's from the Pioneers' were assigned to other frontline fighting battalions.
For those who don't know the Pioneer battalion was the labouring component of the New Zealand Division. They were to be engaged in preparing the battlefield by building roads, digging trenches, fortifying positions, laying communication lines, stringing barbed wire, buliding lite railways and general ferrying of supplies. As Tom was to find out their labour would be required for the onerous task of body and body part retrieval from the battlefields. The Pioneers were a very interesting mix, as well as being one third Pakeha, the Māori component also included men from Niue Island (125) and Rarotonga (45). The Pacific component of the pioneers did not adapt well to the freezing cold of Europe and the Niuean's had to be eventually returned to New Zealand and then repatriated home. As an aside, for those who are interested, the original Native (Māori) Contingents underwent quite an evolution with several name changes and assignation of badges throughout the war.
Evolution of Battalion name, Māori Contingents to Pioneer Battalion to Māori Pioneer Battalion. ( a recap ).
The combined original Māori Contingents, evolving from the 1st who had first assembled in Avondale in 1914, and the second trained at Takapuna, were dissolved and absorbed into the divisional ranks before being reconstituted along with the third contingent forming the Pioneer Battalion. Approximately one third of Pioneers included the predominately Pakeha Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment. ( Formation 20 February1916 in Egypt). Finally on September 1 1917 in Europe, with Māori reinforcements achieving a critical mass of replenishment, the Pioneer Battalion became solely The New Zealand Māori Pioneer Battalion.
March 6th 1916 saw a trek to a campsite south of Moascar aerodrome across the railway not far from the old Sweet Water canal camp. By March 15th they were ordered to pack up this camp and move east over the Suez Canal which they crossed at Ferry Post on a pontoon bridge. They marched to a reserve camp and pitched tents. The 3rd Māori Contingent joined them here, but had to camp 400 yards away in a state of quarantine due to a measles contagion some members had contracted in transit. The 3rd reinforcements numbered 282 men. March 18 saw the Battalion on a long trek of six miles from the reserve camp in intense desert heat and wind blown sand. These hot southerly winds were a known desert phenomenon called the Khamsin which generally manifested from mid March, and could prevail for 50 or more days. The men took up a position in the front line near the 10th squadron of the Auckland Rifles. On the front line the Pioneers took over trench maintenance work. This is as close as they were to come to the Turkish Ottoman enemy in Egypt. The night of the 18th a howling gale blew up developing into a sandstorm with rain. The Pioneers' were to stay in place until the 21st.
16. Rugby in the desert.
While at Moascar rugby amongst the various battalions had continued as the primary source of sporting recreation and Tom took part in many inter company rugby matches. Tom had the privilege of captaining the Māori side on several occasions. The inter-divisional championship had been raging hard for some time and the N.Z.Herald carried the story, somewhat belatedly on 11 May 1916. The match was actually played on March 6 or 12 (according to various sources). Cecil Malthus mentions a final of the rugby between Wellington and the Māori's on March 26 1916, in his book "Gallipoli a retrospective".
Regardless of the actual date here is an edited version and as written in The N.Z. Herald ........
"In spite of the warm Egyptian weather, football is carried on, and some excellent games have been witnessed. A divisional tournament was arranged each entering a team, and the Australians , Engineers, Artillery, Maoris and Rifle Brigade one each.... "After the eliminating rounds in which fine games were seen between the Maoris and Artillery and Auckland and Wellington. The final left for a decision between Wellington and the Maoris. After the recent brilliant showing of the Māoris it was quite expected they would keep Wellington busy, and so they did. "On Sunday last the match was decided on the hard Ismailia ground. Leave was granted to all desiring to view the game, and thousands willingly trudged the five miles. The day was brilliant, and the gentle breeze blowing down the canal could not effect the play due to the thick grove of tall pines encircling the flat ground. On all sides of the arena was densely thronged with New Zealand, Australian , Indian and English soldiers, French and English sailors and Egyptian natives. General Birdwood and General Russel looked on from the point of vantage, and Colonel Plugge, of course, was an interested spectator. Through the trees on one side lay the beautiful gardens of Ismailia, while alongside lay Lake Timpsah, with its battleships and monitors, and above all poised and throbbed the ubiquitous plane. " the Maoris filed out at 5 pm, a motley team in red, green, striped and khaki jerseys. Jack Hall, the Auckland representative, 'led as captain, and behind him came the stalwarts' warriors French, Vercoe, Waaka ..... etc, "Soon after Teddy Roberts led on the Wellington fifteen with uniform jerseys (green, with red band), with one odd Taranaki yellow and black. In this team were Reg Taylor, Sam Cameron .....etc Hannigan (Auckland) controlled the game. "The Maoris tossed and won, and decided to defend the western goal with the sun at their backs. From the kick off the pace was a cracker and the play thrilling. The forwards worked in grand style' and the backs raced up and down in excellent passing bouts. Excitement was intense, and in one sweeping movement the referee was sent spinning to earth. After a magnificent Māori rush French dashed over, only to miss the touch down and miss a certain score. Then from the throw in, in the western end Paul secured and dashed over to score Wellingtons first and only try. Then Stainton the brilliant Māori halfback playing out of position at fullback, was injured and taken off the ground, thereby greatly weakening the team. Perhaps the most brilliant piece of work was Waaka's great run, during which he wriggled , swerved, and dodged the enemy only to be muzzled just in time in front of the goal mouth. .... near the end the Maoris attacked in furious fashion and went near scoring again and again. Still, they were kept out, and a grand match finished three points in Wellingtons favour. 3 to nil (abbreviated). Tom French was named as being amongst best players. (N.Z. Herald 11 May 1916).
Little else is mentioned of the Māori Contingent, now the Pioneer Battalion through March. However on the 21st March boredom and routine were broken by a visit from Divisional hierarchy and the 21 year old Prince of Wales who, later on accession to the throne, was to become King Edward VIII. Once more another spectacular execution of the Haka was witnessed. Immediately following the inspection the Piooneers' marched back across the canal with 70 camels in tow and took up their old camp ground at Moascar. A concert was held that night where each ethnicity of the Pioneers sang and entertained in their own language .... Niuean, Cook, Māori and Pakeha.
In the following weeks the routine of military discipline resumed with solid infantry training well into April. Orders to depart Egypt were received on April 5th 1916 and so a rousing evening was enjoyed by the troop the following day. All went for a final swim in Lake Timseh. By the eighth tents were struck and two trains, with open trucks, departed Moascar, the last leaving at 1 am bound for Port Said. By 6 am the next morning 28 officers and 948 other ranks were aboard the troopship Canada bound for the port of Marseilles in France. By all accounts the journey was calm and peaceful, they passed by Malta where the First Māori Contingent had been stationed for a short time earlier in 1915. The only exception to the state of calm was the sighting of what may have been a German submarine, but nothing came of this.
17. France, Arrival Marseilles April 1916. Armentieres.
After five days at sea the Canada entered port at Marseilles where the Pioneers were greeted by the lingering cold of winter. A shock for all, after the desert heat, but especially for the Niuean's who would find themselves poorly disposed to cope with the rigour's climatic change would bring. The Pioneers disembarked at 6.30pm boarding a train soon after. Their first stop at the town of Orange entailed a serving of coffee laced with rum which was dispensed by a mix of French nurses and soldiers. The Pioneers destination was northern France near the Belgian border of Flanders. This was a mammoth 600 mile journey and took 58 hours to complete. The soldiers were entranced by the dramatic change of scenery after the desolation of the Egyptian landscape. They even had a fleeting glimpse of the Eiffel Tower as the train passed within ten miles of the capital Paris.
Entering Europe Tom retained the rank of Corporal. Accompanying him was his life long friend, relative and Māori All Black, Wattie Barclay. They claimed fame as part of the "Two Up Kings". A gambling game of chance played with coins and much indulged in by New Zealand and Australian soldiers in their leisure. This activity was much frowned upon by the Military hierarchy and accordingly was deemed illegal. Tom mentioned that somewhere along the line he was busted from sergeant for playing "Two Up" (on two separate occasions)! Indeed his son Tony says he was a little bit "scratchy" about being busted long into his mature years. His military record does not mention either promotion to sergeant, let alone being busted. Perhaps any consideration of promotion to sergeant was taken away. (on both occasions). Recall that a photo of him with Sergeant stripes was originally from training with the Otago Battalion in early 1915. He had taken a customary demotion when transferring to the Second Contingent. Later on transferring to the Auckland Battalion Tom lost all rank reverting to private. However, as his military record attests to, Tom as a member of the Auckland Battalion is promoted and regains the rank of Lance Corporal and then Corporal during the following months.
On April 17 they detrained at Steenbeque close to Hazebrouck, where the British forces were massed. After a two mile march to the village of Morbeque the weary men finally took up their first billets on French soil. On the move again on April 18 with a short march to the Village of Sercus. During the march the men marvelled at the aerial dramatics of dog fighting aircraft in the sky's above. A technological spectacle which, though an already existing component of their new environment, was astonishingly new to them. Dog fighting aircraft were only one of the multiplicity of horrors they were soon to encounter. The bulk of the Pioneers laboured around Sercus strengthening strong points, impressing the British with their abilities and work ethic. Evenings were spent exploring the myriad of Estaminets, (small cafes) and improvised establishments selling watery French Beer (bock) and wine. Of course disciplinary infringements were a consequence of the inevitable over indulgence. While in Sercus 60 axemen were despatch to the forest of La Motte au Bois to undertake general tree management. The New Zealand axemen garnered a reputation as being extremely proficient at their craft, after adapting to the French Style of wood felling, winning several competitions against the local French axemen. From April 25 leave to England was granted for periods of eight days. Each taking their turn after their fellow soldiers returned.
On May 1 they departed Sercus and marched, in full kit, 18 miles to Estaires via Morbeque, La Motte and Neuf-Berquin. From there an 11 mile march to Armentieres, adjacent to the Belgian border, where they were to take over control of the front line. Close to a bridge over the River Lys, on Rue de Bizet, in an abandoned cotton factory they were to take up lodgings. They were now in the combat zone and the Pioneers were to assume the task of combat support in maintaining trench systems and fortified positions. On May 28, due to frequent illness and unable to cope with battlefield conditions, the Niuean's were returned home via England and New Zealand. June 4 saw a reorganisation of the Pioneers into two Māori and two Pakeha Company's.
18. Armentieres to the Somme 1916.
For the early part of their tenure in Europe the New Zealand Division were centered in and around the Town of Armentieres near the French-Belgian border. This was considered to be a less contested part of the Western Front and ideal for the New Zealanders to gain experience in the science of trench warfare. The Armentieres sector was often referred to as the nursery sector, however despite its perceived status as a safer place to be, the New Zealand Division including the Pioneers, were to quickly learn about the costs of their new theatre of operation. The Pioneers got every job imaginable. Mainly labouring on or near the battle fields creating trench's, roads, laying and repairing barbed wire, building light railways and most horrifically they were engaged in body and body part retrieval. Often working in the trenches, and no mans land without weapons and unable to adequately defend themselves. Shelled and shot at constantly they were to discover carnage and attrition on a daily basis was the norm. Being a member of a Pioneer battalion afforded no benefits for those who toiled on the front lines day and night establishing and repairing their sector of the Battlefield.
Also whilst in the Armentieres region the New Zealand Division took over the running of the British Divisions Trench warfare school where officers and non commissioned officers were trained in the latest strategies and techniques of trench warfare. They were schooled in the "arts' of machine gunning, rifle and Bayonet practice, effective employment of mortars, physical fitness as well as trench building and maintenance. Eventually all troops were to benefit from time at the School. Tom after returning from the Somme was to spend extended time here, both in training and in instruction, as a member of the Divisional Rugby Team during the winter of 1916 / 1917.
With the start of the Somme, in the south on July 1, the intensity of fighting also stepped up in the Armentieres sector. Casualties mounted and the town was vacated by the remaining citizenry. Heavier than usual shelling saw widespread destruction including the steeple of the church so prominent in the town. Many of the people of Armentieres blamed the presence of the New Zealanders for the destruction wrought on their town. July 9th and 10th saw two Māori raiding parties attempt to engage the German front lines. The first party retreated when unable to advance through uncut barbed wire. Whilst the next nights incursion attained the German front line, but sensing a well laid Germans trap, beat a hasty retreat back to their own lines pursued by two groups of Germans attempting to flank them. A signal flare, fired by the Māori alerted the artillery to drop a bombardment in no mans land causing the Germans to retreat with casualties. Only a minor leg wound was suffered by a member of the raiding party.
July 21 saw Sir James Carroll, New Zealand Māori parliamentarian, accompanied by General Russel visited the front line sneaking in after dark and dossing down on the floor of a former convent. Carroll was introduced to the sound of warfare as machine guns clattered and German mortars rained down nearby. The next morning he met with the two Māori company's, who turned out in immaculate form. Carroll was greeted by a Haka the strength of which had not been seen since the days of old when performed by warriors back in Aotearoa. He spent the day with the men watching them employ theirs skills maintaining the battle field. Discussions were held concerning how the contingent could be reinforced going on into the future. Carroll was to return to New Zealand and implement suggestions allowing for a smoother transfer of future Māori troops to the battlefield. August 12 saw the New Zealand division relieved in the Armentieres sector by the Royal Scots. By July 14th, after three months in Armentieres, the entire division was on the move south. Destination, the Somme.
19. The Somme July 1 to November 18 1916. South to France. The Pioneer Battalion on the Somme.
The battle of the Somme was the biggest engagement undertaken between the allied forces and the German empire to that time and saw the scale and cost of war rise to an otherwise unprecedented industrial crescendo. The battle was conceived to break the deadlock on the front lines and also relieve pressure on French forces under siege at Verdun. The battle took place in Northern France near the River Somme, south of the New Zealand position in Armentieres. The New Zealand Division moved south to take up positions in the rear of the battle field from August 20 1916. From September 15 the Division took an active part in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, taking the Switch and Fler trench systems. Tom and the Pioneer Battalion had been on the front lines, day and night, repairing the battle field and establishing new Trenches, all the while under constant German fire.
As previously mentioned, the Pioneers were largely a labour battalion and they earned the epithet "the diggers". The term diggers came from the British troops who observed the Pioneers go about their duties on the Somme. "Diggers" as a descriptive, was to spread to the rest of the New Zealand Division and eventually the Australians. The Pioneers were the first New Zealanders into the Somme around Flers and Deville Wood in August 1916, where they found themselves billeted amongst German, English and South African dead.
Movements of the Pioneers from August 14 1916 are as follows. From Armentieres marching through Steenwerck they entrained passing through Hazebrouck and arriving at the best accommodation yet in the Village of Ebblinghem. They stayed five days preparing for the Somme. From nearby St, Omer they trained 60 miles to Longpre and marched on the 21st August nine miles to Hallencourt. Just before their next move they were able to bath in the river Somme near La Fontaine. Unbeknown to them this would be their last opportunity to bath for over a month. August 27 saw them arrive in Fricourt near Albert, in the pouring rain, after a 44 mile journey via Amien and Mericourt-l'Abbe. They were now within five miles of the front and their first job was to repair and consolidate the Carlton and Savoy trench systems. Both formerly second line German trench's. A start was made on cutting both Turk and French lanes, (communication trench's). The forging of these Communication trenches between the Allied front lines and subsequently captured German trench systems was the most noteworthy accomplishment of the Pioneer Battalion during the Somme campaign. The most famous of these Turk Lane was destroyed, repaired and forged grittily onward, day by day.
On the evening 27th two company's of the Pioneers were ordered to Delville Wood to dig a much needed communication trench. (A) Company got lost in the dark and retired but B company, 200 strong, arrived in position at 1am and commenced to dig a trench 150 yards long and four and a half feet deep in just one and a half hours.
September 1 saw the Pioneers move camp to an opposite but safer slope near Fricourt. Unfortunately noisily close to adjacent to an Australian Howitzer battery. Working on nearby on Bazentin Ridge the Pioneers were to witness one of the worst of the manifold forms technological of horrer employed on the Western Front, when British forces attacking High Wood used flame throwers against German positions. Each flame thrower could generate a burst 100 feet long and 50 feet high and rain down on the enemy for minutes at a time.
September 15 saw the New Zealand division employed on the battle front in an attack on the German line. Known as the Battle of Flers Courcelette the New Zealanders were tasked with taking the German Switch Trench which they achieved by 7am. At that point the Pioneers sprung into action extending the Turk Lane trench to the newly captured German position. Concurrently the New Zealand Infantry pushed on to the Fler line. Artillery fire which rained down upon A and B company's was the most deadly experienced yet. As fast as the Pioneers dug Turk Lane it was blown in. The Pioneers had sustained 52 casualty's by 5pm. C and D company's were largely spared the carnage as they were tasked on the 15th and 16th with road repair. The battle of Fler Courcelette also saw the employment of the Tanks for the first time near village of Fler.
September 18th, during poor weather, progress saw the Pioneers push both the Turk Lane and Fish ally to Ferret Trench where a Brigade dug out was constructed. A bonus of moving into the former German trench systems was that the division was able to occupy fully fortified dug outs. Often 30 feet below ground with reinforced concrete roofs they were not only dry but also immune from German artillery bombardment as well as being a treasure trove of German souvenirs. Attacks were halted on the 22nd due to unfavourable weather.
Tom French parts company with the Pioneer Battalion and transfers to the 1st Auckland Battalion September 25 1917. (continued in chapter 20).
For completeness I will finish the time line of the Pioneer Battalion on the Somme during September and October. With improving weather from the 25th attacks were made on Factory Corner just north of Flers and on the 27th German Gird and Gird support trench Systems. Working at night the Pioneers pushed their communication trench's further onward. They were able to ferry supplies up to troops in newly captured positions. The pioneers last action at the Somme was to prepare an assembly and communication trench from Turk Lane to Goose Alley. At 450 yards long, five feet deep and three feet wide, 250 men laboured on it from 8pm until 3am on the morning of the attack of October 1. The Germans were astonished when its' presence was revealed by the morning light and responded by decimating it with heavy artillery. The Pioneer Battalion was to go into reserve from October 3rd. For them the Somme was over.
The share scale of the achievements of the Pioneer Battalion was staggering. The length of trench systems constructed, and repaired, are as follows. Delville Wood communication trench 549 metres. Tea Trench to Tea Lane 412 metres. Turk Lane to Gird Support trench 7849 metres. Fish Alley and offset to ADS 2815 metres. Pioneer lane 413 metres. The master piece of the Somme was regarded as the 7.85 kilometer longTurk Alley. As well as trench construction the battalion also built and maintained roads, constructed four Brigade Headquarters, and three Aid Stations. While concurrently ferrying supplies up to the front lines.
Staggeringly over 3 million soldiers took part in the Battle of the Somme. There were over 1 million casualties resulting. On the first day alone the British received 57,000 casualties including 19,000 killed. The reality of modern warfare on that first day of July was exposed for all to grimly contemplate. The name Somme resonates through history to this day.
To put the pivotal nature of the battle of the Somme into perspective there is a description of one Māori officer observing one of many actions on the Somme and speculating with fellow officers about when the horse cavalry charge might take place? It was here on the Somme that the cavalry abruptly came to the realisation that there was no option other than to dismount their horses and learn to use the machine gun.
For those interested in visiting the New Zealand component of the Somme battle field today. The area in the vicinity of Fri Court to Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Fler and the New Zealand Memorial at Longueval approximately defines the New Zealand component of the Battlefield. The German Gird trench system lay on the gentle slopes just north of the current day New Zealand memorial.
20. Transfer and a new battalion September 25 1916. (1st Auckland battalion 3rd Company).
The exact date is unclear, but some time in August or September 1916 Tom put in for a transfer from the Pioneer Battalion to the Auckland Battalion. Most likely whist the New Zealander Division were engaged on the Somme. If you remember back to April 1915 the Auckland Battalion was Toms' first unit before he was transferred to the Otago Battalion and then transferring once again, this time voluntarily, for the 2nd Māori Contingent. So with Toms' transfer back to the Auckland Regiment things had come full circle. It is very unusual for this to happen as the Pioneer Battalion was always short of a full compliment. And this applied especially to the Māori Component of the Pioneers. Military historian Chris Pugsley thought Toms' transfer may have had something to do with the formation of a divisional rugby team. Perhaps joining the Auckland battalion with its association with Colonel Plugge could have been advantageous. Colonel Plugge would soon be tasked with the development of health and fitness and a recreational strategy for the New Zealand Division as a whole.
Since writing the proceeding paragraph I have rethought Tom's reasons for transferring from the Pioneer Battalion to the 1st Auckland Battalion. Given his transfer occurred during the New Zealand involvement at Flers in the Somme, I believe Tom was keen to join a fighting battalion. In the days before his transfer the Pioneer Battalion were involved in driving the famous Turk Lane Trench system forward. This crucial communication trench was constructed with great haste and little regard for personal safety. The Pioneer contingent suffered a high casualty rate. Given that the Somme battle raging around the French town of Flers was a major step up for the New Zealand division who were now embroiled in a major attacking action rather than a holding action as they had been involved with around Armentieres, I now believe Tom was keen to take an active roll in the action rather than being a random target, constantly, at the mercy of German artillery bombardment and snipers.
Tom joined the 1st Auckland Battalion on September 25 1916. This day the Aucklanders were focused on taking Factory Corner just beyond the town of Fler. Interestingly on this day British tanks were deployed for the first time around Fler. Weird behemoths trundling about the battlefield must have been a very strange, but memorable, sight and probably very encouraging for those facing heavily defended German positions.
Just two days later on the 27th September 1916 the 1st Auckland attacked the German Gird and Gird support trench Systems. Tom was wounded for the first time. A minor wound to the right arm according to his military history sheet. He was admitted to the general hospital in the Rouen area. He didn't rejoin the Auckland Battalion until November. Of this wound my mother only recalled a small scar of his right shoulder. I expect it was during this period, while Tom was recovering, that he was granted leave in England.
As an aside, at some other point in his military service Tom was also exposed to a German gas attack. Though this did not seem to have a great effect on him at the time, it eventually caught up with him in his final years in the form of emphysema. I have no idea when this happened as the effects of exposure to gas were not mentioned in his medical records.
21. Tragic news.
Family folk law states that some time in September 1916 Tom was dealt a cruel blow when he went to meet the boat carrying his brother Sam (16/1480) to England. On arriving at Devonport, to meet the boat, Tom was informed Sam had succumbed to Meningitis on the 27th August 1916 having recently set sail with the 5th Māori Contingent on the 29th July aboard Troop Transport 60 the Ulimaroa. Tom was to discover Sam had been buried at sea. Samuel French left a widow and two children in New Zealand. The problem with this "folk law" scenario was that the Ulimaroa docked at Devonport England on September 28 1916. Tom literally having been wounded the day before was not in England. It is possible however Tom, after being evacuated to England to recuperate from his Somme wound, was able to make contact with the newly arrived 5th Contingent members in camp and thus learn of Sam's fate.
22. The Trench Blacks. New Zealand Army Divisional Rugby Team, winter 1916 / 1917. Paris and the Somme Cup.
With winter of 1916/17 approaching British High Command emphasised the importance of maintaining physical training for all the divisions along the front. The New Zealand divisions' responded by withdrawing Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Plugge from command of the 1st Auckland battalion and reassigning him as Director of Physical Training, Sport and Recreation. The military hierarchy of the time put a great emphasis on health and fitness. It was considered a great morale boost and a means to keep the troops occupied, fit and disciplined. Plugges' command of the Auckland battalion had been disappointing, but in the task of sport and morale coordinator he excelled. With great enthusiasm Plugge pursued this assignment, with one of his first initiatives being organisation of a divisional rugby football team. Names were submitted from all regiments and the 24 best were chosen. Tom French was amongst those chosen ably showing he was not only good, but was competing among the absolute elite of his generation. This top line group was formed from All Blacks, Māori All Blacks, regional representatives and any one else, not yet shot dead but, considered good enough. This team was not just a morale booster but was also the strongest concentration of rugby talent convened in Europe. Effectively the Trench Blacks were the first All Black side ever assembled in military uniform.
They were housed at the Divisional Training School where they lived and trained throughout the harsh winter. As well as coalescing as the New Zealand Division Rugby Football Team the members were schooled in the 'arts' of bayonet fighting, physical drill and bombing. They in turn became instructors at the school, and at the end of the football season were able to return to their respective units and continue their role of instructors in the field. The players daily routine was rigorous with assembly at 7am for physical drill. From 9am to 1pm they were instructors. From 2.30pm until 4.30pm they were at road work or football practice and three nights a week they were in the school gymnasium. For a time Tom and his fellow teammates enjoyed what many soldiers could only dream of, good food, warm accommodation and a temporary reprieve from the realities of the front lines. A rare occurrence in the near perpetual misery that characterised the First World War.
Tom played in a numerous games for the Trench Blacks during both the 1916 and 1917 winter season as documented in team photos and match reports of both years. He later recalled playing in Paris on several occasions. One of these matches was documented in the Free Lance magazine with three accompanying photographs. The rugby match had actually taken place on April 8 1917. In this game Free Lance mentioned " Tom French played well in the forwards".
The April match was extraordinary with the New Zealand Divisional team defeating the French team 40 to Nil. This match was played at Parc Jacques Anquetil Velodrome Vincennes before 60,000 enthusiastic fans in Paris. There was a festive air as it was on Easter Sunday with fine springtime weather. The throng constituted the largest crowd ever assembled for a football match to that date. American diplomats and military hierarchy were present as the Americans' had just announced their intention to join the war on the side of the Allies. And so there was an air of hope and jubilation surrounding the event as, Malcolm Ross, the Free Lance war correspondent described. His report was also syndicated through out New Zealand in newspapers in early June of 1917. Of three photographs published by the Free Lance one shows Tom French in full flight labelling one photograph ..... " Tom French, the Māori representative, leads the forward rush".
Malcolm Ross writes, in the June 29th 1917 Free Lance, of the April 8 match .....
“In Paris members of the team were feted right royally. They were banqueted by the Journal, invited to the clubs and had seats reserved for them at the theatres ". They were presented with a statuette designed by French sculptor Chauvel, who designed the bronze while in the trenches himself. It was known as the "Coupe de la Somme". They each received a medallion in frosted silver of the figure La Marseilles as seen on the Arc de Triomphe”.
One French newspaper, L Image, summed the performance of the New Zealand side ..... as a masterly lesson in athletics, .... "Our men had to bow to world champions" ....
Remarkably motion picture footage of the Trench Blacks in Paris still survives documented by the French "Ecpad" film repository. Tom can be clearly identified in multiple shots including an abysmal haka performed prior to kick off. The footage documents an attempt at the haka, best summarised as confused and/or indifferent. (Tom is no.15, toward the left). The haka was led by the greatly respected Roger Dansey, Toms' fellow 1911 Māori All black. Obviously Dansey, or anyone with a knowledge of Māori tikanga (cultural protocol), hadn't any input into the display prior to the match.
Malcolm Ross, also in his report in The Freelance, details another match played near a Belgium monastery as Bosche shells burst nearby, just out of effective range. Even in the shadow of artillery fire the New Zealanders took to the field with a gritty resolve, displaying determination and courage in the face of the brutal realities of war.
The Somme Cup.
One of the most intriguing relics of World War One is the Georges Chauvel designed cup, "The Somme Cup' or Le Lanceur de Grenades or more simply "The Grenade Thrower" Actually a bronze statuette of a soldier throwing a hand grenade rather than a traditionally fashioned cup. It was said that the statuette was forged from melted down artifacts from the battle field. This striking and unique piece was presented to the victorious New Zealand Captain George Murray in front of the sixty thousand spectators and officials following the match. The whereabouts of this trophy was lost for almost a century. Then in 2015 the bronze resurfaced quietly adorning the mantlepiece of the family of New Zealand's W.W.1 commander Major General Andrew Russell.
Despite its historical significance, efforts to return the Somme Cup to the latter day New Zealand Defence Force have so far been unsuccessful. It remains in private hands, its future undetermined. One can only hope that in time the Somme Cup trophy might inspire a biennial contest between the French and New Zealand rugby defence teams, or even at national level, reconnecting the two nations through the same spirit of competition and camaraderie exhibited on the field in Paris on April 8 1917.
(see chapter 23 for a link to Ecpad).
23. ECPAD, French film library. Footage of Trench Blacks Paris April 8 1917.
Here is a link to the French Ecpad film archive website. Footage is of the Trench Black team who played France at Parc Jaques Anquetil on April 8 1917. New Zealand won 40 / nil for the Somme Cup. This is an edited version. Some years ago the full version showed the Trench blacks visiting the sites of Paris before the match. However only this shortened version seems to be available. See Malcom Ross correspondent, papers past, for a full match description. ( 1917 ). The Ecpad archive can also be searched for black and white photographs of the match.
Tom French is fifth player from the right back row in the team photo. Number 15 in film footage.
24. Messines Belgium June 7 1917.
On June 7th 1917 Tom took part in the battle of Messines in Belgium. Messines was the most scrupulously planned and tactically executed action, by the British, during the war to date. The architect of the plan was General Herbert Plumer. It was his attention to detail that ensured a successful outcome. Messines was of extreme strategic significance as the town sat upon a ridge which commanded the countryside around it for kilometers. Months of rehearsal and practice were to be put into action. Over twenty tunnels were dug under the German lines and filled with thousands of tons of high explosive. At 3.10 am at least 19 mines were detonated simultaneously. The resulting explosion along the ridge was the largest ever created by man. It has been reported the explosion was even heard in England. The German front lines were literally blown to bits. New Zealand attacking troops followed a creeping artillery barrage up the hill. The barrage nullified any Germans who may have escaped the initial explosions and any reserve troops who quickly rushed in to take up new positions. The New Zealand division successfully achieved its objective of liberating the town of Messines in quick order. Many of the casualties they were to suffer came about as they consolidated in their newly won positions. The majority of deaths and injuries were a result of German counter artillery which rained down on the already devastated town. Interestingly in the crypt of the church in the center of town it is believed Adolf Hitler, some time before, had taken shelter and was treated for wounds received.
As mentioned Messines was a brilliant success by World War One standards. That said the New Zealand division suffered 3700 casualties including 700 dead.
Histories of the Auckland battalion credit the 1st Auckland Regiment as attacking and taking the German Ungodly trench system on the right side of the New Zealand advancement up the hill toward Messines. Some time around this period Tom captured a German prisoner. As his cousin Bill Campbell always teased him ....... " the gentleman in question was the shortest soldier in the German army ".
In the chapter covering Passchendaele there is a diary commentary by Frank Athol Gillman who was one of the soldiers in Toms platoon. It mentions Tom and Messines. I will leave the commentary for the Passchendaele chapter so it can be read completely in context. (see chapter 28).
25. Dave Gallaher W.W.1 journey from enlistment to Passchendaele.
We pick up Dave Gallaher's story once more as of May 23 1916. This is the date Dave undergoes his medical examination in order to join the New Zealand Army. As of the 25th July 1916 he is attested at Trentham Military camp. Similarly, as with his enlistment for the Boar war, his age remains lowered by three years. We must now examine Daves' reasons for enlistment. He was beyond the age of the draft and had a young child. All valid grounds negating enlistment. It seems, in spite of his mature years, he wanted to go and probably felt a strong moral obligation to serve just as thousands of other men about him did. There is a common myth that Dave signed up to avenge the death of his elder brother Douglas in Europe. However Douglas was actually killed on the 3rd June 1916 (several weeks after Daves' Medical examination). Never the less Dave's commitment to serve may have been influenced by the fact both his brothers Douglas and Charles were wounded, the previous year, while serving with the Australian Army at Gallipoli.
As a part of the 22nd reinforcements he became a non commissioned officer with the rank of Sergeant. The reinforcements depart for Europe on the 15th February 1917 via South Africa, arriving at Plymouth England 2nd May. After further training at Sling Army Camp the reinforcements (as part of the 2nd Auckland Battalion) travel to Etaples in France on the 6th June 1917 missing the major offensive at Messines (Mesen) on the days following June 7. Arriving in the Messines vicinity several weeks later they were to find themselves holding the line in the sector between the Catacombs' of Hill 63, Prowse point and the Lys River.
I am not entirely sure of the exact time line, but shortly after Dave arrived at the front he reacquainted himself with many of his past rugby associates who were already seasoned veterans of the line. Among them were Tom and his fellow Auckland team mates. Naturally, rugby remained their central passion with Dave taking great interest in the impromptu and disparate nature of inter platoon matches. There was talk of fermenting an inter division rugby competition featuring Commonwealth teams. Toms' last known contact with Dave was on a wet and dismal afternoon preceding the battle of October 4. Their final conversation most likely revolved around the upcoming winter rugby season.
In late September after several weeks of rest and recreation, near the Boulogne region, the Second Auckland Battalion were poised to make their first major assault. After a long march to a field several kilometers beyond the bombed-out town of Ypres (Ieper). Often referred to by soldiers as Y-Pers. The New Zealanders found themselves facing a spur of the Passchendaele ridge which several kilometers farther onward led to the town of Passchendaele. This battle scarred town being the final goal of the offensive for 1917. The action of October 4th is remembered as the Battle of Broodseinde, near sGravenstafel. In sight of the town of Passchendaele Dave Gallaher was to lose his life.
Tom, in the 1st Auckland Regiment, was with the first wave who attacked at 6am on the morning of October 4 1917. The 1st wave having battled their way to their objective, and in the process of consolidating, were leap frogged by the 2nd Wellington Battalion. Likewise to their right the 1st Wellington battalion had achieved their objective by 8am and were thus leap frogged by 2nd Auckland Battalion with Dave Gallaher, who was in his first major action. The German artillery was particularly harsh and Dave was to sustain a severe shrapnel wounds to his head and face. Someone remarked that he looked like he had been kicked in the face by a mule. In a bad state Dave was ambulanced to the 3rd Australian casualty clearing station just beyond the town of Poperinge. In a straight line Poperinge is an extraordinary 20km away from the battlefield. God knows how far across the torn up countryside and broken roads the distance actually was, though rail transit may have been employed from Ypres, the journey would have been life sapping for a desperately wounded soldier. Dave Gallaher did not survive his wounds that day. He is buried beside the Aid Station in what is now known as Nine Elms Cemetery Poperinge. Dave had spent less than four months in continental Europe. He was 44 years of age.
26. The Passchendaele Campaign July 31 to November 10 1917. (The Third Ypres).
The Passchendaele battles of 1917 are known as the Third Ypres which is the umbrella term for the dozens of battles fought. The objective of the British Army was to gain control of the ridges south and east of the town of Ypres. As a strategic bonus just beyond the village of Passchendaele was the German rail hub of Roulers, now Roselare, which would hence become accessible for harassment by British heavy artillery. The front was long and both British and Commonwealth forces took part. Today in what marks the centre of the Battlefield resides Tyne Cot Cemetery. Within it's boundaries lay approximately 12,000 graves. A multitude of smaller graveyards nearby punctuate the landscape. Tyne Cot and accompanying grave sites contain only a small percentage of those who died during the campaign as many bodies were blown apart or lost in the mud forever. In these few months the Allies lost 250,000 to 300,000 casualty's and the Germans at least 200,000 and possibly up to 400,000. The figures are still highly disputed.
The New Zealand Division were involved with two of the battles of the Third Ypres.
1) October 4 1917. Broodseinde.
2) October 12 1917. Bel Vue Spur.
Battle of Broodseinde : October 4 1917.
Chapter 27: General historic background of Battle of Broodseinde October 4.
Chapter 28: Frank Gillman diary record of October 4.
Chapter 29: Diary of Auckland Battalion October 4.
27. Passchendaele Belgium, the Battle of Broodseinde October 4 1917.
The next action Tom French would see would be his last. This action was to be momentously life changing. On October 4th 1917 as a member of the 1st Auckland 3rd Company he took part in the battle of Broodseinde near the Belgian town of Ypres. This was one of the battles of Passchendaele of 1917. Only the Auckland and Wellington Battalions were to be employed for this action. The battle cost the lives of almost 500 New Zealanders, with a further 1700 wounded. Despite the high casualty rate the battle was considered a significant success, consolidating ground around sGravenstafel and Berlin Wood.
From the German perspective they viewed October 4 as the blackest day of the war. Their losses were catastrophic. The New Zealand brigades occupied the Heights of Abrahim and were in sight of the flattened village of Passchendaele just a couple of kilometers away on the ridge. Ominously for all the weather had changed. It had now been drizzling for several days. It was cold and everyone was wet. Water had begun to pool everywhere in the cratered landscape.
October 4 1917 was also the day my fathers friend / work companion / coach / mentor and fellow soldier Dave Gallaher was grievously injured, subsequently dying at an Australian aid post near Poperinge. Tom also was wounded this day the consequences of which were to be life defining. In fact the Auckland Battalion received such a mauling on October 4 that it was withdrawn from further action in the Passchendaele zone.
The "success" of October 4 left the Canterbury and Otago Battalions, who were in reserve, untouched but soon to face the slaughter of the Battle of Belvue Spur on the 12th. New Zealanders simply call this action "Passchendaele", a name that will resonate forever.
28. Frank Athol Gillman Diary, ..... member of Tom French's platoon 1917. Messine, Quesques, Broodseinde to Walton on Thames Hospital October 1917.
In late 2015 I discovered the diary of Private Frank Athol Gillman 12 / 3649 which resides in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington. Remarkably Frank was a member of 3rd Company 1st Auckland Battalion. Tom French was his platoon leader and Frank mentions him on several occasions relating both to the Messine sector and also gives a description of the events of the battle of Broodseinde on October 4 1917 where both Tom and Frank were wounded. The diary is 30 pages long and I have paraphrased the relevant entries. Franks' diary also mentions Joseph Gorden Coates who was the Company commander, Coates was to become New Zealand Prime Minister during the 1920's. Also mentioned was the platoon Captain Cyril F. Seaward who was during W.W.2 to become a Lieutenant Colonel commanding a battalion in the Pacific theatre. Frank Gillman's diary makes interesting reading as many of his experiences from late 1916 to October 4th 1917 would have been shared by Tom, excepting Tom's time near divisional headquarters, when he was a part of the Divisional rugby team, in late 1916 to spring 1917.
Messines sector diary entry. 1917.
While in the vicinity of Messine, which had been captured on June 7 1917, Frank mentions the trench systems of Koorten Loop, Anto's Avenue trench and the Iron Gate. Frank describe this area thus, ........
“and the Iron Gate. One time to an unknown trench where the enemy lines were very close and we were to speak only in whispers. It was an unpleasant place ploughed up by recent barrages and stinking with explosives. Tom French took me on a night patrol, just the two of us, and we had the least idea of how the land lay”. He said “If we meet an enemy patrol we will stay and fight”. “ I agreed and only hope I would have stood by my word. As it happens there were no casualties there”. page 29.
Broodseinde Oct 4 1917.
Again Frank mentions Tom French in the context of the battle of Broodseinde. He starts with a mention of the Battalions rest and recreation stay in the small villages scattered throughout the Lumbre region of France not far from the city of Boulogne during the month of September 1917, and whilst there, of being reviewed by General Haig and Winston Churchill. Followed soon after by the divisions march northward to the desolate remains of the town of Ypres culminating several kilometers further at the front line facing the German positions near sGravenstafel and the moments preceding zero hour and the commencement of the Battle of Broodseinde.
Frank writes starting page 3, .....
“After a heavenly stay for a few weeks in the Quesques villages ( pronounced kek ) we made the longest march I remember-on a hot day it was too, wearing greatcoats and carrying of course rifle, pack and full equipment of course but not too much ammunition, many of the fellows throwing it in the ditches after leaving the trenches. When going into the trenches we usually had two cloth bandoleers of 50 cartridges and that weight was murder hanging round ones neck. There was the usual walking amount and parading preliminary to the march which was itself, as I checked on my map 32 English miles. On these marches we manage only 3 miles an hour, with ten minutes rest each hour. It was such an effort to pick up our packs after the rest that sometimes we just stood and supported them on our rifles muzzles instead of putting them down. I remember the road stretching on and on, often over cobblestones, on and on endlessly so it seemed. A windmill or a line of Elm trees would show on the horizon. We would reach them and see another long vista of road ahead.
Mostly the going was fairly flat but it was a long trudge and not too many of the company made it to the end. Being very fit at the time I was in at the finish, well after dark. I remember passing Cassel-sur-Colline on the way. The weather turned very wet at Passchendaele and it was miserable. We were on working parties for a time each man carrying a 60 lb shell. Mules carried two but could not struggle through the muddy shell holes. We washed in those holes and I picked one not so muddy but covered in green slime, and cleaned my teeth - then I saw a German jack boot sticking up from the bottom! There was no reason to doubt the leg was still in the boot. Never was so much mud. The field guns could not hold their positions at all, and goodness knows where the shells landed. We stumbled up to the front in the dark my section under Corporal Tom French settled in a mucky shell crater, as there was no front line, or any semblance of one. Captain Seaward was with us ; a good man but new. He told us to dig in which we ignored. Fancy laying our rifles down, getting our trenching tools unbuckled, and trying to dig mud with them! We wanted our rifles to fire if possible when needed. Still, we might have explained instead of just ignoring him! Captain Coates in after years P.M of New Zealand, came along. Seaward said " I have lost my cane " Coates said " You have worse than that". An eighth reinforcement man had just been killed before. We hunkered down through the night and the German flares were wonderful. Never before had we seen anything to equal them for frequency and colours, particularly the ones that went wobble wobble wobble. I doubt that the German's knew rightly what they signified. Just before dawn (4/10/17) the attack began. A section of North Auckland men came past us and as they topped the skyline were picked off one by one by the German machine gunners a little way ahead. We shouted to them " For God's sake keep your heads down! ", but they were too tired to care and I believe everyone of them was killed. Our turn came and Tom French stood up, threw an oil sheet across his shoulders, and called " Follow me " I looked to see him fall immediately as he was as wide as a barn door. However the machine gun must have been out of action for we all got started off. We came up to a group of the enemy making a stand in shell hole or trench of sorts, holding us off with rifle fire and stick grenades. I should have detoured round them but forgot. My rifle, sure enough, jammed despite all my care. I ran forward to throw a mills bomb but the Germans got in first with two or three stick bombs. The stick grenades with handles had some advantages as they were easy to throw, but not that some of our fellows could not throw mills bombs a surprising distance, if not hampered by mud and equipment. Of course we were faced with an impossible task, covered in mud loaded down with ammunition, grenades, very lights and what not. The enemy had every advantage. I flopped down in the mud and the stick grenades bounced over me giving me two wounds in the left knee and small bits of tin sticking all over me. The concussion was tremendous and I was deafened by it. When I looked up the Germans had surrendered and our fellows bayoneted them through the back.”
Frank goes on to tell of walking a long way back to an aid post, then being sent to a hospital in Etaples where surgeons performed an operation on wounds that already had gas gangrene and were oozing black pus. He recounts, ......
“a week or so later I was in Walton on Thames Hospital, England. Tom French was there minus an arm”. Frank was to recover from his wounds and return to active duty in 1918.
End of excerpts from Frank Athol Gillman diary.
29. Battle of Broodseinde. History of the Auckland Battalion. October 4 1917.
There are several other texts worthy of consideration when tracing the history of the Auckland Battalions at Broodseinde on October 4. The New Zealand Division by Colonel H Stewart. Ormond Burtons 1922 History of the Auckland Battalion and a more recent history of "the Auckland Infantry by Cooke Gray and Stead, published 2010.
Each text traces the position of the 1st Auckland Battalion, on October 4 1917, as starting from the Cluster houses and crossing the Hannbeke Stream. It seems that they may have achieved this on the night of the 3rd October 1917. The jump off point was taped out far in front of what ever had constituted the New Zealand front line on the day of October 3rd. Action from the jump off point was due to commence at 6.00 am on the morning of the 4th. The First Auckland were to be part of the first wave who's objective was the red line, roughly parallel to the jump off line it ran along the area known as Abrahams Heights, though it was barely a visible rise. The Second Auckland battalion of which Dave Gallaher was a member were to attack half an hour after the first Wellington battalion wave, leap frog their position, and consolidate a new front line through the gentle slope of the Heights of Abraham roughly in parallel with Berlin Wood. This position occupies ground adjacent to where the sGravenstafel New Zealand memorial is located today.
Between a quarter and half an hour before six am the German artillery launched a massive bombardment of the New Zealand lines. Fortuitously most of the New Zealand troops had advanced beyond their front line in anticipation of shortening the length of terrain they would need to cover before encountering the German front Lines. Therefore most of the German shells fell behind the New Zealand troops. The force of explosion being muffled by the soft Flemish mud which seemed to swallow the otherwise lethal high explosive projectiles. Still there were many casualties amongst the Auckland forces.
Incredibly the Germans had planned to mount their own attack meticulously planned for the morning of the 4th. When the combined Commonwealth artillery opened up at 6.00 am the German forces were caught assembled forward of their trenches out in the open. The result was catastrophic for the German soldiers. They were decimated. When the Auckland Battalion moved forward they encountered at least 500 corpses lying in the field. Many surviving German soldiers were dazed and soon gave up. Within a couple of hundred metres the 1st Auckland Battalion encountered a machine gun post at Aviatik Farm. Possibly the one responsible for mowing down the North Auckland men described by Frank Athol Gillman in his diary. According to Colonel Stewart's text Captain Seawards platoon, lead by Tom French, engaged and neutralised this obstacle. The entire 1st Auckland Battalion veered severally off direction during the battle, ending up far to the left of their intended objective. It may well have occurred as a result of the Scottish Battalion on their left deviating left forcing the 1st Auckland to fill the void and nullify the machine gun posts located on that left flank. As they moved forward they eliminated the clusters of bunkers around Winzig, Albatross Farm and Winchester farm way to the left of their intended objective.
The first Auckland Battalion ended up on the Stroombeek flats where they encountered water, conditions that were poor for consolidating their position. Deadly machine gun fire from Yetta Farm took a large toll on the New Zealand soldiers who had strayed so far out of position. The 1st Auckland were however able to take up their originally assigned finishing point soon after and were then leap frogged by the second New Zealand wave. The two waves pressed the front forward by approximately 1600 meters. An amazing success by first world war standards in a relatively short few hours time span.
Ironically in the days proceeding the battle of Broodseinde Tom had been earmarked for a battlefield commission. Military historian Chris Pugsley notes it was not unusual for a soldier considered able, to be promoted directly from the lower ranks, to become an officer.
Tom was not entirely sure of the exact circumstances in which he was wounded. But in a lull in fighting, which would have occurred during the consolidation phase as the 2nd New Zealand wave leap frogged the 1st, and within the former German lines, he spotted a sack containing loaves of bread. As he and his fellow troops were always malnourished he took the opportunity to venture out to retrieve the sack. He was never sure whether the bag was booby trapped or if he had been sniped, or even caught apiece of shrapnel. But the result was a wound to his left arm at the elbow. His medical record states shrapnel wound. As the New Zealand forces were fully stretched he had to make his own way back through the lines to the nearest first aid station. He mentioned the circumstances to my mother only once and said after bandaging his wound he had wandered around the battle field on his own for a very long time. He recalled the bitter cold and mud as it had been constantly drizzling. He was probably staggering through the carnage in a state verging on hypothermic shock. From somewhere near the Stroombeek flats, (in the vicinity of the Stroombeek stream), he had to make his way back to the main New Zealand first aid station which was located in the small village of Wieltje. In a straight line about 4.5 to 5km. On a torn up battle field in adverse weather conditions an eternity. Geographically the Stroombeek stream and flats are to the left of the current day New Zealand memorial at sGravenstafel.
30. Toms' aftermath, France, Walton on Thames, Oatlands and Torquay. (October 4 1917 to 18 January 1919).
In the confusion following the battle Tom was initially listed as being one of 29 other ranks, "missing". His service record refers to him having his lower left arm amputated, due to gangrene, at the 55th General hospital in France 7th Oct 1917. Tom and many of his fellow soldiers were to succumb to gangrene, one of the worst scourges lurking in the Flemish battlefields. The churned up sodden soil was rife with the pathogen. Gangrene was such a virulent bacteria that it's effects in torn tissue could manifest with in a few short hours following injury.
With an embarkation date for England on the 13th Oct 1917, Tom was admitted to the No.2 general Hospital Walton on Thames 19th Oct 1917. His initial amputation developed complications and his remaining limb was fully amputated at the shoulder. Tom transferred to the nearby Oatlands hospital where he spent quite some time undergoing rehabilitation. Those based at Oatlands were amputation cases and patients suffering the effects of TB. They were known colloquially as the "Limbie's". Written on the back of a postcard, he sent home, showing himself and three fellow soldiers seated on a bench, is written " four limbless lads, some picture "..... His stay at Oatlands was not as a full time patient, as he had periods of leave from there, as one late return noted in his paybook stating (absent without leave) and incurring loss of several days pay. I just hope she was worth it! Also while at Oatlands the wounded soldiers received rehabilitative training and educative opportunities including such topics as wool classing and animal husbandry. The disabled soldiers were able to raise pigs, poultry and rabbits, selling them on the open market. Tom at some point received instruction in agriculture. (there is a photo of him in uniform in the field probably summer 1918). The field photo was most likely taken at one of three New Zealand rehabilitation farms established in South Devon collectively known as the Torquay Discharge Depot. By 1918 the three farms had expanded to an area encompassing 500 acres. It was here that the Central School of Agriculture was established. The schools teaching reflected the increasingly technological nature of modern farming as well as covering all contemporary practices. There were visits by expert lecturers and trips to research and instructional facilities through out southern Britain.
As late as January 1919 Tom was still having treatment for his wound with a return to Walton Hospital. Incredibly it was not until the 18th of January 1919 that he finally embarked for New Zealand on the Zealandic via the Panama Canal.
I can't profess to know how well Tom coped with the ramifications of a life changing injury. Unlike some soldiers who returned to New Zealand whose lives were blighted by depression, suicide, alcohol, anger and domestic violence. Tom never manifested any of these demons. I can only suppose this was in part due to the extended rehabilitation phase he had to navigate which stretched on for fifteen and a half months. Coupled with this Tom only had to look around to see so many others just like himself and indeed, many more in a far deeper well of despair.
31. Belvue Spur. Passchendaele disaster October 12 1917. The events 8 days after Toms wounding.
Although the Belvue Spur battle has no direct connection with Tom French, I have included it as most New Zealanders who know a little about World War one, associate the name "Passchendaele" solely with the slaughter on this date.
It was the success of the Battle of Broodseinde on the 4th October that that lead to the disastrous mis-planning of the attack on the 12th October. (Battle of Belvue Spur). Belvue Spur was a small rise that presided over the left side of the approach to the Passchendaele ridge. It was important to neutralise this ridge in order to move forward toward Passchendaele village. As the weather continued to deteriorate High Command gambled that one last push might result in the capture of Passchendaele village, which by now was a completely flattened non descript pile of rubble. The village occupied the strategically important crest of a gentle hill. It's capture would allow the British to significantly impact German supply lines and rail hub on the opposing side.
From a New Zealand perspective the utter failure of October 12th can be traced back to a few fundamental errors all to do with preparation of the battle field. The time frame of just eight days was simply just not long enough. It had rained continuously since the 4th and the single shell cratered and sodden trail up to the front was near impassable. Artillery could not be moved forward in the mass required to be effective. Neither could a firm platform for the artillery to rest upon be constructed. Without a firm platform each time a gun fired it pushed itself further into the ground which rendered impossible, consistent accuracy of fire. Indeed New Zealand artillery performed so poorly that day that many New Zealand troops were killed by our own short falling artillery fire.
The entire battle field consisted virtually of adjacent shell holes each filled with water. Everything in between was a morass of mud. The small streams which had carefully drained the Flemish countryside for centuries were obliterated and now formed watery lakes of ooze deep enough to swallow anyone foolish enough to try traversing them. There was also a political aspect driving this disaster forward, as the over all New Zealand Commander, General Alexander Godley wanted to please High Command and was only too happy to assign his division the task. Meticulous by nature, General Russel was ill and crucially did not oversee preparations for the battle.
Casualties for the action of October were approximately 2700 including 847 dead. This slaughter occurred in the space of just four hours. In truth the death total for that day probably exceeded well over 1000. Many were to succumb to their wounds in the days months and yes, even years that followed. It was New Zealand's blackest ever day on the battle field.
The Canadians finally secured the Village of Passchendaele, despite the horrendous state of the battle field, on November 6 1917. Sound preparation, planning and execution were the key.
Reminding the reader, Tom French did not take part in the action of the 12th October. In fact while his fellow soldiers were being cut down in Flanders, he was in a French hospital, having undergone his first amputation and awaiting embarkation to Walton on Thames Hospital in London.
32. 1919. Toms' return to New Zealand.
The Zealandic was the ship Tom boarded to return to New Zealand. The official title for the journey home was as 'His Majesty's New Zealand Ambulance Transport Zealandic', returning draft 217. It consisted of 19 officers, 8 nurses and 990 retuning soldiers plus ships crew. All under the stewardship of Captain A. Brocklebank. The departure from England on the 18th January 1919, over two months after wars end, was from Tilbury Dock on the River Thames, not so far from central London. There they assembled in alphabetical order witnessed by a waving and cheering crowd. The willing voyages were a collection of men from several hospitals and convalescent camps scattered throughout England. All were in some state of recovery and rehabilitation. Considering Toms' was still receiving treatment from Walton on Thames hospital I expect he departed for Tilbury directly from Walton.
The weather was typically wintery being cold and wet for the first few days of the voyage. A floating sea mine was observed and avoided several days into the voyage. The weather soon picked up which afforded the men a very pleasurable time on deck where games of all sorts could be indulged in. There were even classes given to keep the men engaged. The troopship magazine titled 'The Parting of the Ways', (published in May long after their return to New Zealand), listed activities such as concerts, debates, board games, fancy work, basket making with the YMCA library being most popularly indulged.
Passing the West Indies they sited the coast of South America. First port was Colon at the entry to the Panama Canal. The troops marvelled at the exotic birdlife and abundance of black workers who they noted were subservient to their American masters, who seemed to be running things. The soldiers marvelled at the canal which, to their eyes, was a state-of-the-art technological wonder. Indeed the troopship magazine goes into many pages describing it's intricacies. Electric lights and mechanical bulldozers to pull the ships rather than Donkeys. The sight of women, many being American, caused many a heart to flutter. One point of consternation amongst the returnees was lack of shore leave while replenishing the ships coal stores in Colon.
The trip across the Pacific was uneventful and on the last night of the journey they held a farewell concert and awarded prizes for all games and activities indulged in during the trip. On February 26 at Daybreak the East Coast of New Zealand revealed itself and soon they were at anchor in Port Nicholson in Wellington Harbour. On the 27th Defence officials boarded the vessel for documentation purposes. The returned soldiers were now somewhat peeved and angry about their continuing confinement on board the Zealandic. Finally on February 28 at 8.30am they hove anchor and docked at Glasgow Wharf. They were met by cheering crowds, smiling faces and waving handkerchiefs. I don't know if anyone was there to greet Tom but his address of intention is listed as Hinemoa Street Hamilton. He was off to stay with his sister Bessie and consider the rest of his life.
Tom, still receiving medical treatment in Hamilton, was finally discharged on 2nd May 1919 having served four years and 16 days. In spite of the horrendous casualty rate inflicted on New Zealand servicemen Tom returned as one of only 1000 amputees to survive the war. He remained a member of the war amputees association for the rest of his life.
Tom did however for his sacrifice and service earn the typical suite of three medals, 1914/15 Star, British war medal and Victory medal. These were awarded to him between 1920 and 1922.
33. New Zealand from 1919. Marriage, employment, rugby and tragedy.
Tom married Hannah Courtney, his pre war sweetheart, on January 21 1920 at St. Benedicts church in Auckland. Family sources say he always referred to her fondly as Jess. They moved to Hamilton where their first child Patricia was born in 1921. An earlier child was miscarried after a fall. Tom trained in Agricultural Sciences at Ruakura. It was there in Hamilton he re associated himself with rugby in the guise of a referee. He won plaudits for his abilities as such and by 1922 was recognised as one of the top Waikato referees. After finishing agricultural training and taking the title of Noxious Weeds Inspector he was posted to Wairoa where he stayed until 1935. Transport was often by horse. In Wairoa his family had increased by three more children with Margaret 1924, Tom (junior) 1926 and Anthony (Tony) 1928, joining Patricia. (total four). Tom was active in promoting rugby at all levels coaching /selecting/ managing etc. To quote a newspaper clipping from 1956 Titled "Talent nursery", ..... "When stationed at Wairoa he made the district a rugby nursery for the famous Hawks Bay Ranfurly Shield team, for so long invincible"
Amongst many players mentioned he was responsible for discovering /coaching/ mentoring All black great George Nepia, Sam and John Gemmell, Tori Reid, W Collins and Everard Jackson. A number of East Coast players under his tutorage and influence were members of the 1924 " Invincible All blacks ". Also during this period he maintained a keen interest in all things pertaining to Māori rugby ................ coaching , selecting, managing. Tom had been an inaugural member of the Māori Advisory Board since 1922.
He experienced the 1931 Napier earthquake, when a water tank collapsed at his home, shortly before the quake one of his children had been swimming in it. Tom also fortunately escaped a near miss himself when his car was the last to cross a bridge prior to it's collapse.
For a disabled person with a young family, my brother tells me he coped admirably during the dark days of the depression providing, not only for his family, but for others in need as well, from a large and bountiful garden. He moved to Gisborne and continued his involvement with local rugby teams staying there between 1935 and 1939. Amazingly despite his injury he was a champion tennis player with the Gisborne Marist and Cosmopolitan tennis clubs around 1935 and 1936. His son Tony a very proficient tennis player finally beat his father in a match in the 1940's. Tom apparently never lifted a racquet ever again. Tony said ..... " he (Tom) was never a particularly good loser! Actually the term Tony used was "poor loser". Tom also enjoyed sprinting, winning many races and beating many men his junior in the 100 yard dash. By this time he was in his mid forties ! 1939 also saw Tom in the position of North Island rugby team selector.
A Gisborne Herald news article of June 19 1978 states that players of his selecting era remember Tom as a perfectionist, a hard task master but above all an entirely fair man to his players.
Tom was promoted to stock inspector after sitting his exams and moved next to Rotorua (1939). Around 1940 /41 he was the Bay of Plenty selector. World War Two broke out and he became a Lieutenant leading the home guard against imminent German and Japanese invasion. I have a newspaper picture of him leading a home guard parade in 1941, left coat sleeve tucked characteristically into the left coat pocket.
While in Rotorua Tom's wife Hannah died suddenly (probably of a congenital heart condition) in 1944. She is buried in the central cemetery there. The suddenness came as a shock to everyone. Hannahs'passing left a devastated Tom and family pondering their future. This congenital heart condition still manifests in family members, who carry Hannahs genetics to this day. Son Tom J. French dropped dead, of heart failure, on Middlemore Golf Course in 1978. Son Anthony "Tony" French had multiple heart surgeries later in life eventually passing in 2011.
34. 1944. Return to Auckland. ( Tom French the personality of post war Auckland rugby ).
After Hannah's death in Rotorua Tom, also in 1944, moved to Auckland with his four children. Settling in a basic house in Onehunga regarded by his daughters as a hovel. He had undertaken a series of examinations in agriculture pertaining to New Zealand Stock and Agricultural Customs protocols. This enabled promotion to the Auckland based department of Agriculture where Toms' duties included inspecting all Animal transits into and out of the country. Everything from sheep to race horses. Inspection duties lead him to frequently travel to Whenuapai Airforce base which at the time was also Auckland's main airport.
On returning to Auckland in the 1940's Tom immersed himself in rugby life coaching Marist to championship status and winning the Pollard Cup and Jubilee Trophy. From that time on his involvement with Auckland rugby snowballed, while continuing to be a driving force within Māori and All Black rugby. His interests and contributions and entanglements are far too numerous to detail without omitting many details, (from 1944 he coached, selected, managed many Auckland teams etc). From 1945 to 1956 Tom was the Māori All Black selector and coach. Co-managing the 1949 side to Australia.
A Māori All Black side assembled on September 25 1946 to play the Australian National Wallaby team at Rugby Park Hamilton. Led by Manahi Paewai they comprehensively trounced the tourists 20 to Nil. This match marked the beginning of a very successful post war resurgence of Māori rugby.
Around 1948/49 he, along with renowned Māori player Lou (Doc) Paiwai, established an Auckland based Māori rugby team by the name Aotea. However it atrophied and died, due to a lack of support from Rugby echelon.
35. 1949 Māori All Blacks in Australia. A triumphal tour.
Tom coached and co managed the famous 1949 Māori All blacks team that toured Australia. His cunning and nous with a flare for original thinking has long been credited for the overwhelming on field success of this tour. This tour was organised as a "consolation" for Māori rugby players who had been excluded from the, exclusively European, All Black tour of South Africa that year. The exclusion of Māori was due to the apartheid regimes blatantly racist refusal to allow players of colour into South Africa. The All Black tour of South Africa was particularly dismal with all four tests being lost to the Springbok side. Reflection after the tour lead commentators to draw the conclusion that exclusion of Māori players from the side was the fundamental issue determining the National sides complete drubbing by the South Africans.
From the Australian perspective the 1949 Māori tour was welcomed. They saw it as a chance to showcase rugby in geographies where the game of rugby league had become dominant. The Australians believed the Māori side would bring with them the excitement of fast running rugby with an accent on snappy passing and maneuver. It was also seen as a great warm up opportunity for the Australian national team who were to tour New Zealand in the following weeks.
As well as bringing a fast paced back line to Australia the Māori side also brought with them a forward pack who were heavier than the All Black side who were concurrently touring South Africa. Six of the Māori side were of such calibre that they already were, or were to, become All Blacks. The Māori side was intimidating and adept at the maneuver described as "the Māori side step". A maneuver where the player would simply run over their opponent rather than bypass them.
The Australian wish to see fast running games with flare was ably realised, starting May 21 1949, when the Māori dominated their opposition Southern States 35 to 8 in Melbourne and again three days later, posting 47 to 3 against A.C.T., in Canberra. The Canberra match was witnessed by the Australian Governor General and the New Zealand High Commissioner.
Undoubtedly the high point and most anticipated matches of the tour came as three test matches were played against the Australian National side the Wallabies. The Australians who had expected the matches would provide them with good training opportunities were brutally shocked when the Māori side comprehensively beat them, 12 to 3, at the Australian Cricket Ground in Sydney on June 4 1949. The result came as such a surprise that, the Australian coach was sacked. Tom was quizzed about his thoughts on the performance of the coach and team and said "If I had the Australian team for three weeks I would win with them".
In the second test at Brisbane on the 11 June 1949 the Australians despite high expectations from a new coaching team only managed a draw 8 points each. However the Australians in meeting the Māori once more at Sydney Cricket Ground, on June 25 1949, managed a better showing beating their opposition 18 to 3. This was also the last fixture of the tour. The quality of this Māori side really shouldn't have come as such a surprise to the Australians who, remember, had been heavily defeated by the Māori team in Hamilton in 1946 20 to Nil.
All up in their 11 match tour to Australia the New Zealand Māori side won nine, drew one and were beaten in only one. The tour generated the excitement the Australian Rugby Football Union were looking for with large crowds and sold out venues. The tourists gave the Australian side a comprehensive lesson in how fast paced exciting rugby could be played. The overwhelming success of this tour, and good will generated, inspired the creation of the Tom French Cup.
36. Tom French Cup.
The 1949 Māori tour to Australia achieved exactly what the Australian Rugby Union had been craving. Record crowds to match's and a revitalisation of interest in rugby throughout Australia. What the Australians had not anticipated was the Māori side defeating their national team. The upset and aftermath of this feat ignited newspaper headlines, generated superlatives and surged public enthusiasm for seeing the Māori exhibit their exceptional flair and skill on the field.
On tour Tom's personality and magnetism shone so brightly that the rugby enthusiast Captain Johnny Morris, who travelled extensively with the team while in Australia, found support from the Australian rugby Union and created and dedicated a trophy. The Tom French Cup. The cup was considered so magnificent that it was displayed in Sydney, for a week, for all to see. It was large, very large standing almost three feet high. Freighted in an immense crate the cup arrived by air with the Australian Rugby Team who began their tour of New Zealand soon after the Māori side returned. The cup was presented, by the Australians, to the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union at a Civic reception in the Auckland Town Hall on August 16 1949.
The inaugural recipient in 1949 was John Burns Smith. The cup is bestowed to this day on the most outstanding Māori player of the year. A look at the recipients of the cup shines such a bright light on the legacy that Māori have achieved playing rugby through the ages. Interest in the cup has increased in recent years as it's importance in Māori rugby culture has been embraced by the New Zealand Rugby Union who award it annually at the rugby awards function at years end. It is presented today as the Tom French "Memorial" Cup.
The list of recipients throughout the years reads like a role of honour of those contributing to New Zealand rugby history. The cups ever evolving inscriptions trace not only Māori excellence on the field but also resurgence of post war Māori culture. Māori provincial players, Māori All blacks and All Blacks of Māori heritage, are all eligible. Since John Burns Smith's name was first engraved in 1949 so many other remarkable players have followed: Manahi Paewai, Keith Davis, Muru Walters, Pat Walsh, Waka Nathan, Sid Going, Wayne Shelford, Zin Zan Brooke and Piri Weepu to name just a few of those deemed worthy of such recognition.
There is a rather humorous article in the Norther Advocate of 28th October 1949 regarding the first presentation of the Tom French Cup to John Burns Smith. The author seems to be in awe of the cups size and weight having seen it displayed in a Whangarei shop front window. He describes the cup thus .....
“It has to be seen to be believed. Standing nearly 3 feet high, the cup is of outstanding design-a truly magnificent example of the silversmiths art. It's main body is about 12in. in diameter and two massive handles add to it's hugeness. A shapely top is surmounted by a set of goal-posts, against which a silver football, the size of a hens egg, leans negligently. The black base is cylindrical for 8in. below the cup before spreading to a substantial foundation”.
The reporter ponders further in his writing about the immense weight and how will Tom French ever manage to lift the cup to present it to Mr. Burns. He goes on to say .....
“If he, (Tom French attempting to present said cup), is overcome and confused he can execute one of his famous side steps and hide himself and his embarrassment behind the cup". And then ..... "He will still have to face the problem of trying to fill it up”.
And a comment from a person viewing it in the shop window ..... “It's the biggest aspidistra in the world”.
Fortunately for John Burns Smith he was to receive a miniature version of the cup to keep. The "miniature" replica of the cup measured a whopping 12 inch's high. This also came courtesy of Johnny Morris.
Interestingly the inscription on the cup lists the Māori players of the 1949 tour. But not their birth names. Indeed nicknames adorn the cup. So names like 'Brownie" Cherrington, "Koroki" Beazley, "Pixie" Stirling, "Kiwi" Blake and "Lighthouse" Kippa are engraved for all to see.
Today the Tom French (Memorial) Cup stands as a significant cultural taonga. More than a trophy it stands for excellence and unwavering commitment to culture. Woven into the cups' historical tapestry are Māori rugby lineage, whakapapa, identity, resilience and pride. All values that shaped and chartered the course Tom's character and life.
In recent years the cup has been awarded to women players Sarah Hirini, twice, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in recognition of their brilliance and enduring commitment to New Zealand women's rugby. I have often wondered how a man of Toms' generation would react to a woman winning such an award? I expect he would be spinning in his grave with sufficient force to generate electricity.
Tom French Cup inscription .....
The Tom French Cup to be awarded to the best Māori player of the year and to be held by the players club for one year.
Donated by Captain John Morris IA r’etd of New Zealand and Sydney Australia. A tribute to the great services Tom French has given to Rugby Union Football generally and as coach of Sonnie West’s grand Māori team to Australia 1949 in particular.
Māori Team to Australia 1949. DSB Heather Manager, Tom French Coach, Sonnie West Captain, Pete Smith Vice Captain, Team list below..... etc
John Claude Morris benefactor of Tom French Cup.
So who was John Morris. Born John Claude (Jake or Tate) Morris in Dunedin New Zealand around 1888. He was the son of a sheep farmer and the grandson of a man who had served as a commissioned officer in the Indian Army. Some official sources state Jake and or Tate. By 1909 John had crossed the Tasmin to the Queensland region in Australia looking for adventure. When war was declared on August 4 1914, John seizing the opportunity for adventure, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces just twenty days later on August 24 1914 in Townsville Queensland. His occupation listed as Journalist. With the succinct serial no. of 464 and, as a Corporal, he became a part of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. They set sail on the Star of England 25 September arriving in Egypt December 9 1914. The 2nd Light Horse would later suffer devastating losses at Quinn's Post in Gallipoli in 1915. However John narrowly avoided that fate. On 18 April 1915, he was discharged from the Australian Army to accept a commission as an officer with the Indian Army, neatly following in the footsteps of his grandfather. Hence the inscription on the Tom French Cup "John Morris IA (Indian Army) r'etd.
I cannot shed any further light on his time in the Indian Army but a Presidents' report from the Sydney University Cricket Club in 1975 illuminates the decades following. After the cessation of hostilities in November 1918, it states, John travelled to England where he began what would become a life long career in Real Estate.
Returning to Sydney 1923 he established his office in the City and continuing in the profession until his retirement in 1974. Alongside his business interest John Morris cultivated a long and enduring association with the Sydney University Cricket Club which started from his time as a student there. He took the position of President in 1956 and became Patron in 1962 a position he held until 1974, his association with the club totalling a remarkable 66 years. To generations of administrators and players he was fondly known as "Skip".
John Claude Morris passed away on 10 December 1975, leaving behind a legacy of service, adventure, and community. His decision to endow the Tom French Cup speaks to the values he admired. Excellence, character, and Tom's contribution to Māori rugby. Through that gesture, John's name remains linked not only to the sporting world he loved but also to the enduring legacy of the Tom French Cup.
Johnny Morris also presented Tom with a wallet, and inside he had inscribed a simple but striking tribute: “To the Mastermind ….. Tom from John.” Others over the years have echoed that sentiment, referring to Tom as the “Grandmaster” for his deep understanding of rugby and his remarkable ability to read the game. Tom's insight wasn’t just respected, it was revered.
37. Springbok Tour incident 1956.
Another notable Māori team Tom was intimately connected with as selector / coach was the 1956 Māori side who lost to the South African Springbok, in New Zealand, in a rather fractious match. Political interference from a government minister, who lectured the team just prior to taking the field, was instrumental in destabilising the Māori game plan and demoralising the players. The Minister did not want to see aggressive or vigorous play and was fearful of any incident that could affect relations between New Zealand and South Africa. The Minister, reportedly, was extremely vocal in shearing his fears. The Māori side were defeated 37 to Nil.
Muru Walters, fullback for the team, came out in 2010 and stated that The Māori Affairs Minister Ernest Corbett told the Māori team just minutes before the match "that they must not beat the Springboks ..... for the future of the game". Corbett apparently was fearful that upsetting the apartheid regime would result in New Zealand never being allowed to tour South Africa again. Walters said this ripped the guts out of the team and was reinforced moments later when another official reiterated ..... "for the future of rugby don't beat the South Africans".
This match was to be Tom's Last as coach of the Māori side.
Tom carried a deep and enduring anger over the interference of governmental officials in the affairs of Māori rugby. For a man who had devoted his whole life to the game this intrusion felt like a betrayal of everything he stood for and Māori rugby had achieved. For the remainder of his life Tom never hesitated in affirming Māori rugby's right to self determination, even in the face of a hostile administration.
The shameful state of excluding Māori players and selecting solely a "white" New Zealand touring rugby teams to South Africa sadly continued until 1970. Despite the calibre of Māori rugby and the pedigree of its' players the South African regime doggedly refused entry to "non whites" for decades. Successive New Zealand rugby administrators were also complicit in complying with this racist doctrine. It was only when three Māori players Sid Going, Buff Milner and Blair Furlong along with Samoan Byran Williams were afforded the classification of "Honorary Whites" for the 1970 tour of South Africa, that they became the first non white players to be admitted to South Africa to play the game of rugby. Their inclusion marked a turning point (of sorts) but also marked the immoral compromises that had been made in the name of sporting diplomacy.
38. 1950's. Tom junior, retirement from the Department of Agriculture.
Toms' first born son Tom J French was also involved in representing the Auckland side and the Māori All blacks throughout the 1950's. There is often confusion between Tom French and Tom J French. I have several photos of them as part of the same team. ( manager and player ).
Tom retired from the position of Chief Port Inspector for the Agricultural Department on the 31st March 1956, A position which included all agricultural matters at all ports of entry in Auckland including Whenuapai air base. His involvement in rugby was "total", Auckland, Club rugby, Māori teams, All blacks etc. He was a vice president of the Auckland Rugby Union from 1956 until retirement in 1961.
Tom co-managed the 1955 All blacks for a match in Auckland. He has been described in print, for his contribution and devotion to Auckland teams as ..... " the personality of post war Auckland rugby ".
Made a life member of the Rugby Union in 1957, the 17th person to be so honoured. He retired from the Māori rugby advisory board in 1962. (He had been a member since it's inception in 1922). An incredible forty year service on the board, and over 50 years association with Māori rugby since his debut in the 1911 Māori side.
Tom continued his involvement with all matters of rugby at the top level until about 1962. Depending on his actual date of birth, he would have been at least 72ish. But as my mother noted as strong and fit as an ox. A visiting niece fondly remembers accompanying him, one time, on his morning ritual of callisthenic stretching. A legacy of his days in the gym training with the Trench Blacks in 1916 and 1917.
He was an avid supporter of the Māori education foundation. I have correspondence between the Education Department and himself in Sept 1962 in which they thank him for organizing a footy match between Auckland and the Māori team. 481 Pounds were raised and matched equally by the Government, yielding 963 pounds all up. A fairly substantial amount by all accounts at that time.
39. Personal Life, 1950's to 1970.
In 1955 he lived in Peary road in Mt. Eden. My mother Daphne Williams lived in the adjoining street Marsden Avenue and had been a member of the Air Force since 1941. They both worked in downtown Auckland. Occasionally my father, who often kept unusual hours meeting ships and aircraft which underwent meticulous agricultural department scrutiny, would give Daphne a lift into the city. And so, from about 1955 a relationship developed. My mother however was intent on serving at least twenty years in the Airforce to qualify for a government superannuation pension before even considering marriage. Daphne Williams WAAF W2513/73825 actually served 21 years in the RNZAF and married Tom in 1962. Tom since 1956 had been spending his retirement between Auckland and Oparau near Kawhia where he managed his farm. Tom and Daphne were married at the Otahuhu registry office. (The Auckland registry office was housed in the same building as the Agricultural Dept..... and for some reason Tom wanted to avoid ribbing from "old mates'). Having gone through the whole gamut of a Catholic wedding service to his first wife, though he was not particularly religiously inclined, he was surprised by the brevity of the registry ceremony and inquired ..... " is that it ? ".
From about 1962 they returned full time to his farm at Oparau near Kawhia, which he continued to farm on his own until the end of 1968. Cattle fattening and a few sheep and a horse named Slapsy. He had the greenest fingers imaginable and continued a life long tradition of providing for his family with the most rampant vegetable garden known to humankind. He continued with a life long regime of exercises and stretches which kept him slender and strong until approximately 80 years of age.
His fifth child Karl was born in 1963, possibly one of the last children born to a First World War soldier. Certainly in New Zealand and possibly even the world ?
40. Kawhia Concerns, sand, halls and wharves. Formation of Tainui Kawhia Incorporation.
Tom took a keen interest in the goings on in and around Kawhia. He helmed the committee to replace the old dilapidated wharf. Tom was extremely proud to attend the opening ceremony of a brand new state of the art wharf which also had facility to store and chill fresh catch. This greatly assisted the Kawhia fishing industry which was particularly strong and vibrant in the 1960's. Next the committees' attention turned to the development of a new hall. This project was successfully funded and built to cost. The hall exists to this day. I recall the family attending both wharf and hall opening days.
From the early 1960's Tom along with fellow residents of Kawhia township became increasingly concerned by encroaching sand drift blown in from the adjacent dunes. They felt the sand drift was absorbing land and would over time become a threat to the town. Tom was very active in generating support from all parties concerned. From the mid 1960's Maram grass was initially planted to stabilise the dunes and then an exploratory process of trialing pine trees was undertaken to facilitate consolidation of the drift. In a scheme partnered with the New Zealand Government the forest initially planted was to be milled and replanted over time. Thus providing a continuing source of employment and income for the local people as well as addressing the effects of erosion effectively over time. With initial plantings of pine showing great promise an official ceremony marking progress of the venture took place in August 1970. Pine trees were symbolically planted at an event attended by his wife Daphne with sons Tony and Karl. Tony planted a tree on Tom's behalf.
The first fell of trees began in the mid 1990's. Revenue generated from this first fell enabled the Māori shareholders to buy out the governments half interest in the project. The scheme known as the Tainui Kawhia Incorporation, now solely owned by TKI, continues to this very day planting, felling and maintaining the forest consequently generating revenue and employment for the folk of Kawhia. Harvesting of the forest, for the second rotation, began in 2024. As a gesture of remembrance and appreciation roads throughout the plantation have been named after those who have contributed over the years to the TKI venture. A park, bordering the forest, near the Te Puia Springs at Ocean Beach was named Tom French Grove.
1968 and 1969 saw Tom in Court battling the Māori Affairs Department. Promises had been made, for decades, to assist Māori farmers in the district financially with the development of their farms. Government money through the Maori Affairs Department was, and had been, available for this purpose for some years. Using parts of his farm at Oparau as an example Tom won his case in the Hamilton Court. Māori farmers around the Kawhia district were to benefit from this judgement.
Toms' health declined in the late 1960's and he left the farm at Kawhia in 1968 and settled in Manurewa Auckland. At his new property he set about creating another rampant garden to feed his family and still pushed the lawn mower around with one handed enthusiasm. Emphysema caught up with him in 1970. The legacy of exposure to gas so many years before on the battle field. After a hospital stay, at Middlemore in South Auckland he returned home for a time before passing away on the 15 July 1970. Tom was approximately 80 years of age.
Tom was buried with his fellow soldiers at Waikaumete cemetery in Auckland. The pall bearers for his coffin included Māori rugby greats Kieth Davis, Waka Nathan, Albie Prior and Tom French jnr as well as son Tony French and son in law Cedric Wynne. Unusually the memorial service was conducted by both an Anglican minister the reverend Kingi Ihaka and a Catholic priest at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Kyber Pass rd. Auckland. The service was open to the public who over flowed into the grounds, such was the respect for Tom.
Curiously the pathologists at Auckland hospital thought it would be valuable to perform an autopsy on Tom. They wanted to study the effects of gas exposure, for teaching purposes, on the human lung of a First World War veteran. His son Tony put a stop to this happening.
My own memories of my father are few as I was only seven when he passed away, but the ones I do have are of a dignified, gentle and patient man. What stays with me most was his kindness. Perhaps the truest reflection of Tom's character comes from my half brother Tony who once said ..... "We were lucky to have a father like him". I believe that simple sentence says everything.
41. Toms' legacy.
If you recall the introduction to this biography you'll remember that my journey began with a simple question. Who was my father and where had his life taken him so long ago ? When I started this search in 2007 I had no idea where it would lead or what I might uncover. I was to discover Tom French had a truly remarkable story to tell. With the information I gathered I was able to share it with the various media entities. Documentary makers, book authors, news papers, exhibitions, television, radio and various websites. Each contribution has ensured Tom's service and contribution to his people, sport and country will be remembered. Today I feel a great sense of satisfaction in having discovered who my father was and knowing that Tom French's story will continue, long after I am gone.
In the decades following Tom's passing the memory of the man and his achievements slowly faded, as those who knew him also passed into history. The Tom French Cup is his most enduring legacy, both to a sport he loved and to Māori culture which defined his life. In the decades following Tom's passing the Tom French Cup was awarded year after year but did any one really know the history embracing it? For many years the award recipient inscription was not even updated on the side of the cup. This sad state of affairs has changed in recent years and now the Tom French Memorial Cup features proudly in the annual New Zealand Rugby Awards ceremony.
The establishment and naming of Tom French Grove, by Tainui Kawhia Incorporation, at Ocean Beach Kawhia was the first gesture of remembrance of Tom and his contribution to establishing Tainui Kawhia Incorporation thus ensuring Kawhia's long term viability. Tom French Grove came into being in the 1970's.
In the early 21st century there came a resurgence of interest in Tom's history. Firstly with the documentary "New Zealand's Bloodiest Day", written and produced by Lauren Mckenzie, which documented the 90th commemoration of the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium in October 2007. The documentary featured Toms' story and the devastating legacy the Passchendaele battles had on him and the country. It argued that while the mythology surrounding Gallipoli had flourished in the public consciousness, Passchendaele and the war in Europe on the Western Front, held even greater significance on so many more levels.
In 2009 Malcolm Mullhollands' history of Māori rugby 'Beneath the Māori Moon' was published. It squarely documented Tom French's role in the development and nurturing of Māori rugby. The book was used as the basis for the multipart television documentary also titled Beneath the Māori Moon. The documentary screened on Māori Television, Māori, rugby and war were analysed in the 2nd episode, featuring Tom.
With the staging of the World Rugby Cup in New Zealand in 2011 the history and essence of Māori rugby was presented to the world in the form of an exhibition at Auckland's Viaduct harbour. In an exciting, temporary, yet relocatable structure in the form of a Māori Waka. Simply known as the 'Waka'. Crowds thronged to this unique environment to see the story of Māori rugby come to life in a truly memorable style. Tom was featured as were the teams he was involved with. The magnificent Tom French Cup, gleaming beneath spot lights, took pride of place. (recipient list fully updated).
Christmas day 2014 saw the Trench Blacks featured in a rather rambling story on T.V.3s' nightly news, marking the centennial of W.W.1. It was the match played against France in Paris at the Velodrome of Parc Jaques Anquetil. Historic footage showed the team enjoying them selves touring Paris and Versailles prior to playing against the French team who were fresh from the battle field. Tom French was shown with his fellow team mates.
In August 2015 Tom was recognised once more. With the coincidence of the 100th commemoration of world war one and another World Rugby Cup event, this time in England, the Rugby Museum at Palmerston North decided to mount an exhibition marking the contribution and sacrifice of 15 All Blacks including 3 Māori All Blacks entitled Balls, Bullets and Boots. While some of those profiled died at Gallipoli or early in the European campaign many went on to feature as members of the Trench Blacks. This exhibition toured the country for the duration of the W.W.1 centennial commemorations.
Clive Akers rugby historian, in conjunction with the Rugby Museum, published an e book also entitled Balls Bullets and Boots in 2015. This neatly accompanied the launch of the Rugby museums exhibition. The e book detailed the experiences of 15 pre war rugby players including one woman. Tom French as well as Dave Gallaher, were included in the 15. In 2016 a hardback edition of Balls, Boots, and Bullets was published, expanded to over thirty soldier / rugby players and relevant war time rugby teams. Lavishly illustrated and well over three hundred pages it deserves a place in all rugby aficionados' collections.
October 2015. Simon Day Journalist and great grandson of Tom published an article in North and South magazine entitled "Toms' Dream" detailing Toms' contribution to New Zealand Māori rugby. It explores the duality of rugby being good for Māori and Māori being good for rugby. The article chartered the historic course of Māori rugby through years of atrophy to eventual embracement of Māori Tikanga by the national All Black side.
October 2016 saw publication of an article in the New Zealand Listener entitled " Nothing But Desolation " by writer Greg Hall. Chronicling the battles of Passchendaele it interwove the story's of several W.W.1 soldiers experiences in the two October engagements of 1917. Tom again was featured. The piece included recollections from the children of these soldiers.
June 2019. Renowned Māori historian Monty Soutar, author of the story of the 28th Māori Battalion published Whitiki Whiti Whiti E!: Māori in the First World War. It explores the evolution of the Native Contingents / Pioneer Battalion / Māori Pioneer Battalion. There is mention of Tom and Sam French. For all those interested in an almost day by day description of Māori participation during World War One this is an essential reference work.
On September 29 2025 Toms' dual association with Dave Gallaher and Eden Park, in Auckland, were commemorated in a ceremony hosted by Jude Dobson for a documentary about Dave Gallaher which screened on Anzac Day 2026. Turf from Eden park was removed by the former Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae. Three pieces of turf were reburied in places associated with the life of Dave Gallaher. Ramelton in Ireland, Parc des Princes in Paris and Nine Elms cemetery in Belgium. In turn turf from these places was reinterred at Eden Park on February 16 2026.
In November 2025 Toms' legacy, in biographical form, was recognised for inclusion on the Tainui Kawhia Incorporation website. Tom having participated on the board who established the TKI forestry venture from the early 1960's. Many thanks to Kennith Riddell from TKI for his encouragement and assisting me in completion of the short and long biographys' of my father Tom Frenchs' life.
42. Family Tree.
John Paul French + Te Anu Pohepohe ..... ( Tom's parents ).
Sam French, Tom French, Bessie French ..... ( brothers and sister) (Sam possibly born to Mr. McGruther).
Hone, Mutu ..... Half siblings from Te Anu Pohepohe 1st marriage to Mr. Mc Gruther.
Tom + Hannah.
Children from Toms' first marriage, to Hannah Courtney 1920-1944.
Patricia French, Margaret French, Tom J French, Tony French.
Tom + Daphne French children.
Toms' second marriage 1962.
Karl.
Notes.
Interestingly John Paul French's biological father's name was Gallagher. He only took the name French from his mothers fourth husband probably for convenience or convention. Any relation to Dave Gallaher I wonder? Even though we know now Dave spelt his name without a "g" I suspect his ancestral Irish name probably was originally Gallagher.
A note to family tree writers, most track the surname French back, but remember John Paul French, (Toms' father), really was born John Paul Gallagher jnr.
I travelled to Ypres Belgium again in 2017. With the assistance of local historians, period war maps and written descriptions I located the slope in front of the present day Aviatek Farm described by Frank Athol Gillman in his diary. I was on the battle field, at 6am, literally 100 years to the minute after my father. ( October 4 1917 ----------- October 4 2017 ).
ECPAD, French film library. Footage of Trench Blacks Paris April 8 1917.
Here is another link to the French Ecpad film archive website. Footage is of the Trench Black team who played France at Parc Jaques Anquetil on April 8 1917. New Zealand won 40 / nil for the Somme Cup. This is an edited version. Some years ago the full version showed the Trench blacks visiting the sites of Paris before the match. However only this shortened version seems to be available. Ecpad also can be searched for black and white still photographs of the historic match. Also see Malcom Ross correspondent (Free Lance June 29 1917) in papers past, for a full match description and photographs.
Tom is fifth player from the right back row in the team photo. Towards left end in haka footage. Player number 15.
Compiled between 2007 to 2026.
K.V.French
Please return emails to ......................... karlvfrench@hotmail.com