A modest hero
A 100th anniversary honours a local hero and recalls a WWI battle.
The rare sight of a vintage German machinegun, captured by local hero Leslie Wilton Andrew, VC, in World War I, intrigued a special gathering at the Palmerston North library last Wednesday.
The GFWF Maxim water-cooled machinegun of 1917 was briefly loaned out by the Whanganui Regional Museum to star at the presentation, hosted by the city library’s heritage team.
The event marked both the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Messines and a commemoration of Brigadier Andrew, who won his Victoria Cross at 20 for bravery in that battle. Featured speaker was military historian Colonel (retired) Colin Richardson of Christchurch, formerly executive officer of HQ Joint Forces NZ and New Zealand’s defence adviser in Canada.
With Professor Glyn Harper, Richardson has co-written two books: Best and Bravest and Acts of Valour, the updated version of an earlier book about the history of the Victoria Cross and its recipients.
The Battle of Messines (Belgium) on June 7, 1917, is today described as a well-executed plan that achieved all its objectives, he said, unlike what would follow seven weeks later at the notorious battle of Passchendaele.
In his lecture, Richardson outlined the successful win at Messines, and the meticulous planning that ensured it under Field-marshal Herbert Plumer.
Plumer – rotund and ruddyfaced with a white bushy moustache, often thought of as comical – was actually a highly skilled general.
One of his preparations for the taking of Messines Ridge was to have the men dig mines into the dry ground before the offensive – in silence. Richardson explained it was because ‘‘the Germans had stethoscopes to the ground’’.
The battle began before dawn on June 7, 1917, when 19 of the 21 mines exploded with such force the boom was heard in London. It was said that Plumer earlier remarked to his staff: ‘‘Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we will certainly change the geography.’’
One of the soldiers at the battle of Messines was young Corporal Leslie Andrew. He had been wounded at the Somme, and would carry a piece of shrapnel in his neck for the rest of his life.
Following Messines, the New Zealand forces fought to re-take the German-held village of La Basse Ville, to the southwest. Andrew was in charge of a small party looking to take a machinegun post in an isolated building. His coolness and bravery in leading the capture of the machinegun, killing many of the enemy, would win him the Victoria Cross. Leslie Andrew, born in Ashhurst on March 23, 1897, to William and Hannah Andrew, had shown military promise early.
The family moved to Whanganui, and Leslie was educated at Wanganui East School where his father was headmaster, and later at Wanganui Collegiate. In 1913, Leslie left school, worked in a solicitors’ office and then as an office clerk for NZ Railways. He had served in the Avenue School cadets – his father was company commander – and the local territorial force.
When WWI broke out in 1915, Leslie was too young to enlist, but he falsified his age to see overseas service, and sailed for France in May 1916 with B Company, Wellington Infantry Battalion.
Just over a year later, his Victoria Cross citation would state: ‘‘His conduct throughout was unexampled for cool daring, initiative and fine leadership, and his magnificent example was a great stimulant to his comrades.’’
During his subsequent military career, to 1948 as a brigadier, Leslie Andrew held every army rank except quartermastergeneral. He may have been a strict – but respected – disciplinarian with the men under his command, but ‘‘at home, he was very much a family man’’, his eldest greatgrandson, Jeremy Matthews, told listeners at the centenary presentation. In England, the youthful Leslie had met a young nurse, Bessie Mead Ball of Nottingham, and they were married the day after Armistice – November 12, 1918.
When WWI broke out in 1915, Leslie was too young to enlist, but he falsified his age to see overseas service, and sailed for France.
They had three sons, one died in infancy, and two daughters.
Brigadier Andrew retired in 1952; he died in 1969 in the Palmerston North Hospital, and is buried in the RSA soldiers’ memorial cemetery in Levin.
‘‘He was a gentle giant, a modest hero. He never put his men in harm’s way,’’ Jeremy Matthews added.
His grandfather Don often told him stories about his famous ancestor. ‘‘For instance, he would dock the men’s [army] pay for infractions, but put the money aside to give them later, or send it to their families.’’
Earlier, Matthews spoke of the deep friendships forged on the battlefield between Andrew and his fellow soldiers, and of his family’s ‘‘honest and humble’’ feelings about Andrew’s VC.
‘‘They believe it belongs to New Zealand and to everyone who fought together. Every man there was deserving of it. Those men at that time did what they thought was the right thing for King and country,’’ he said.
Descendants of Brigadier Andrew came from Australia and various parts of New Zealand to attend the presentation. Other guests were city mayor Grant Smith, RSA personnel and Joe Hollander, of the Engineer Corps Memorial Museum.