DEATH AT 72

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 132, 6 June 1944, Page 6

DEATH AT 72

FAMOUS MARKSMAN

MAJOR J. A. WALLINGFORD

One of the most brilliant rifle marksmen in the history of the British Army. Major Jesse Alfred Wallingford, M.C., has died in Auckland at the age of 72. Major Wallingl'ord's military career of 42 years, which closed in 1927, included 16 years in the New Zealand forces, and several months of distinguished service on Gallipoli.

Major Wallingford was born at Woolwich in 1878. His father was a sergeant in the Rifle Brigade. He was educated at military schools and entered the Army at the age of 13. He was 17 times a member of the Army team at Bisley, and won the Army championship six times in nine years, the revolver championship twice, and the championship of Europe in 1899.

He was appointed an instructor at the Hythe Musketry School in 1894, reaching the rank of sergeantmajor in 1903, and gaining warrant rank a few years later. In 1911 he was transferred to New Zealand. In the Great War he left with the Main Body as a captain, and for his services on Gallipoli was awarded the Military Cross.

Major Wallingford was invalided back to New Zealand from Egypt, and held staff posts in the Auckland district until his retirement in 1927. He was appointed superintendent of the Veterans' Home, Mount Roskill, in 1929, retiring in 1941. Sniping Exploits Major Wallingford is best remembered for his sniping exploits on Gallipoli. He was in the habit of going out from the trenches with another expert sniper, and picking off Turkish soldiers from cover. At one spot he silenced a troublesome Turkish gun after tunnelling his way to a place of vantage, where he lay concealed for days. He was nicknamed "The Mad Minute," by reason of his speed and accuracy with the rifle, having the capacity to operate it almost as one would a modern automatic weapon. In military camps during the last year of World War I. he used to demonstrate his skill with a heavy army revolver by knocking over 12 bottles, without a miss, at 15 paces.

Major Wallingford is survived by his wife, one daughter, and two sons. One son is Air-Commodore S. Wallingford, R.N.Z.A.F., who formerly held the Royal Air Force rifle championship, and was coach of the Royal Air Force team which won the interservice match at Bisley in 1938. His other son, Major R. Wallingford, is serving overseas.