Captain Maxwell Mallalue, MC, KRRC 1878 – 1916
(Courtesy of Brian Bouchard of Ashtead and the Epsom and District Local History Explorer)
The birth of Maxwell Mallalue was registered in Redhill District for the fourth Quarter of 1878 before he was baptised at St John's Redhill on 26 January 1879. His parents were Albert George and Ann(ie), nee Boyle, Mallalue. The latter's full maiden name had been Ann Jane Gurney Boyle, a sister of Sir Edward Boyle, KC, 1st Baronet. By 1881, the Mallalue family had moved to 35 King Henry's Road, Hampstead.
Maxwell is reported to have served in South Africa during the Matabeleland Campaign of 1896/7 and went on to fight in the Boer War, apparently with Cape Police - No 762 in 'CPD2'. Awarded both the Queen's (with clasps for Mafeking, Orange Free State & Transvaal) and King's (with both bars) South Africa Medals, 1899-1902, his home address was then stated to have been 93 Esmond Road, Bedford Park, London. An elder brother, Noel Boyle Mallalue, became Trooper 392 in the Rhodesia Regiment, also Trooper 39152, Cape Town 01/10/1901-19/03/1902, in the Canadian Scouts, colonial units during the Boer War.
In 1905 Maxwell Mallalue appears to have been 'Mining' in Denver, Colorado, USA, but by 1909 he was training as a volunteer in 6th Duke of Connaught's Regiment of Infantry, Canada.
On 4 January 1912, in Vancouver, Canada, Maxwell married Jane Dixon and their daughter, Margaret, was born in 1913. A son Robert Edward Boyle Mallalue followed on 10 July 1914.
Early in 1914, Maxwell had gained the rank of Lieutenant in A Company, 11th Regiment, Irish Fusiliers of Canada. On 2 September in that year he enlisted at Camp Valcartier in 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia) CEF: his Will was dated at Valcartier, 14 September 1914. His unit subsequently embarked on the ‘Virginian’ to arrive in England on 14 October 1914. The grant of a commission as temporary Captain in King's Royal Rifle Corps followed, 7 December 1914.
9th (Service) Battalion KRRC had been formed at Winchester in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 42nd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Moved to Aldershot, going on to Petworth in November and in February 1915 returned to Aldershot. On 20 May 1915 it landed at Boulogne.
On 30 July 1915 the battalion was engaged at Hooge.
Loos - 24th September to 15th October 1915 - The 9th Battalion took part in an expensive holding attack at Bellewaarde.
From The Annals of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, Vol. V, p. 110:
"...Subsidiary attacks were made at various points in the British line during the 25th [September 1915].
In each case the result was about the same. The attackers met with some success at first, capturing trenches and prisoners, but were then bombed out by counter-attacks, finishing the day where they had started.
In an attack on Bellewaarde, by the V Corps, our 9th Battalion, near the scene of their losses on July 30, went to the support of the 9th Rifle Brigade, who had obtained a footing in the German second-line trenches. They had a hard fight, chiefly bombing on both sides, and lost 2nd Lieutenants C.W. Murray, P.H. Habershon, J. Howell, L. Pemberton, and E.P.M. Panes killed; and Captain M. Mallalue, Lieutenants F.S. Dansey and G.M. Warren wounded. Other ranks, 33 killed, 188 wounded, 29 missing."
Maxwell was seriously wounded on three other occasions and mentioned in despatches. The award of a Military Cross was gazetted on 14 January 1916.
1916 KRRC Chronicle - 9/KRRC Battalion War Record extract -
THE TAKING OF DELVILLE WOOD.
“On the 23rd [August 1916] preliminary orders were received for an attack on the 24th, in conjunction with other corps, and with the French.
The day passed fairly quietly, with the exception of a rather heavy bombardment on Delville Wood. At 3.45 p.m., on the 24th August, a bombardment of our heavy artillery started, which fire was replied to by the Germans. At 5.45p.m. C and D Companies advanced to the attack, and at the same time A Company moved from the support trench (Devil's Help), and re-formed in Devil's Trench, ready to advance. The distance from Devil's Trench to the first objective varied from 250 to 300 yards. The ground was pitted with innumerable shell holes, and obstructed with the debris of fallen trees, necessitating a slow advance. Immediately the barrage lifted, and our assaulting troops climbed over the parapet. The enemy's artillery fire became intense, and machinegun and rifle fire was opened on them, causing many casualties. All the officers of both C and D Companies were either killed or wounded, Captain H. Richmond, O.C. D Company, being killed, and 2nd Lieuts. G. Edgar and J. Heaten, also of D Company, wounded, almost at the commencement of the assault. The men were rallied and led on by the N.C.O.'s.
In C Company, 2nd Lieut. Farran was killed at the commencement of the assault, and Captain M. Mallalue killed, and 2nd Lieut. H. Robins wounded, on nearing the enemy's trench. On the right of Edge Trench, the enemy's wire remained to form a considerable obstacle, and the remains of C Company were unable to gain an entrance into the trench. The Company Lewis Guns, both of C and D Companies, were brought into action close to the German trench, and, for a time, until the teams were killed, fired with effect on the enemy. Sergeant Hamp of D Company, and Corporal Ord of C Company, in charge of the Lewis Gun Teams, fearlessly exposing themselves to heavy fire close to the enemy's trench, both gave their lives, and in the death of these two N.C.O.'s the Battalion has lost men who have always shown a steadfast devotion to duty, and a fine example of cool bravery. No history of the Battalion would be complete which did not record the services which Sergeant Hamp and Corporal Ord had always rendered to the Battalion, and the manner in which they served their guns, and met their deaths with unflinching courage.”
Probate of Maxwell's Will, Effects £518.5.10, was granted to the widowed, Mrs Jane Mallalue, 106 Maple Street, Vancouver, Canada. His relict lived on in Vancouver until 12 January 1984 when she died at the advanced age of 102.
Another brother, Ruspini Mallalue born 31 July 1875 (baptised at St John's, Redhill, 24 September 1875), was apprenticed in the Mercantile Marine and had gained a Second Mate's 'ticket' by 30 April 1896. He entered the Royal Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander before being awarded the Naval Reserve Officers' Decoration in 1920.
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