16 April, 2025

World War I casualty finally named on memorial

Better late than never… Devonport RSA president Muzz Kennett investigated the case of Alan Wallace, whose name was missing from the war memorial in Victoria Rd

The name of a soldier from Devonport who fought and died in WWI has been added to the Victoria Rd war memorial plaque, joining that of his brother, after lobbying by a family member.
Alan Wallace, who grew up in Devonport, served as a sergeant in the New Zealand Engineers and died in action in Gallipoli, but his name was left off the memorial because he joined the army from England, while he was studying there, rather than in New Zealand.
Alastair Dray, whose great-grandfather was Wallace’s brother, first contacted the Devonport RSA in the late 1990s seeking to have Wallace’s name added to the memorial, but was told that wasn’t permitted as he didn’t enlist in New Zealand or embark from its shores. He felt this was unfair.
The Napier resident was in Devonport visiting the memorial in 2023 when he decided to renew his request.
Devonport RSA president Muzz Kennett began to investigate. The organisation concluded Wallace’s name should be on the memorial after all, so applied for the relevant consents last year, winning approval in January.
“It was a pity that he wasn’t added originally,” Kennett said. The name was engraved on the memorial on 27 March.
Alan’s name has joined that of his brother Bertram Wallace.
Bertram served as a gunner and died in 1916 after seeing action in France in the Battle of the Somme.
Dray said it made him emotional and “very pleased” that Wallace’s service was now officially recognised on the memorial.
The name will be officially acknowledged during the Anzac Day service this year, which Dray and other descendants of Bertram and Alan’s brothers plan to attend.
Alan Wallace grew up on Lake Rd. His father was the first manager of the Devonport Gas Works.
Wallace attended Auckland Grammar then Auckland University College, from which he graduated with a Master of Arts in 1912. He won a Rhodes Scholarship, which enabled him to study mathematics at Balliol College, Oxford.
At just 20 years old, he was the youngest Rhodes Scholar chosen from New Zealand.
He was in Oxford when the war broke out, leading him to enlist in London.
He joined the British section of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which arrived in Egypt on Christmas Eve in 1914.
Wallace became an engineer in the newly-formed 1st Field Company of the New Zealand Engineers, and was promoted to sergeant.
For his efforts rescuing wounded soldiers in Gallipoli on 2 and 3 May, 1915, he was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
On 9 May, while discussing plans with Major Hugh Quinn, Wallace was shot in the head by a Turkish sniper.
He died the following day and was buried at sea.