WORLD-FAMED SNIPER.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 91, 23 May 1916, Page 5

WORLD-FAMED SNIPER.

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. EARLY DAYS ON GALLIPOLI. Captain Wallingford, N.Z.S.C., who is at present home from the front on sick leave, is conducting a tour of inspection of the various rifle ranges in Group lft, and visited Balelutha yesterday for the purpose of inspecting the Barnego rifleraiige to ascertain whether the range is safe for musketry practice, and also to inspect the proposed site for a new range on Mr John Christie's property. Captain Wallingford was accompanied by Captain Stevens, N.Z.S.C., Group Commander. Captain Wallingford was one of four instructors sent out about four yearsi ago to Auckland as musketry expert, the other officers being Captains Purdon, Henderson and Hose. Captain Wallingford some few years ago was considered the finest shot in the world under service conditions, and repeatedly defeated in competition matches the best Continental cracks. A representative of the Leai'vr had the privilege of interviewing Captain Wallingford yesterday, and was given much interesting information relative to the early days of the Gallipoli campaign, but like most soldiers the captain was very diffident about making reference to his 6wn prowess 011 the field of battle. He left Auckland with the main body of the Expeditionary Force, and took part in the memorable landing on April 25, 1915, being in charge of the infantry machine guns. Captain Wallingford turned his noted marksmanship to good account by making one of a sniping party, and alone accounted for several hundred of the enemy, his highest tally being on August 7, when his "bag" for the day reached .'iO. Captain Wallingford informed our representative that during-the first days on the Peninsula there were some expert snipers among the Turks, but in a comparatively short space of time the majority of these had been dealt with. 'He considered his best day's sniping was one which included a German officer. The latter appeared to be the master mind in constructing the Turks' trenches, and Captain Wallingford followed him for 120 minutes before getting the "drop" 011 him. The Hun was then made the recipient of 15 shots from a machine gun, and the Kaiser had an officer less to answer the roll call. Captain Wallingford was invalided to England where, after a short spell in hospital, he was granted three months' sick leave, but as he is still suffering from a strained heart he has been given light duties in the meantime. He is, however, making steady progress towards recovery, and hopes soon to be able to again take his place in the lighting line. There was one point on which Captain Wallingford was most emphatic, and that was the necessity for boys to be taught to shoot. "It is not a bit of good waiting until they are grown up," he said. "They should learn to shoot when they are kiddies, say when they are about 10 years old. They will never forget it. I attribute my presence here now to the fact that I can shoot, and that I felt confident when it came to shooting that 1 could beat the man against me. I have seen how necessary it is to have plenty of well-trained reserves. On April 25, ]S)]5, we could have gone straight through the Turks had the men been available to fill up at once the gaps caused by the casualties. On August 7 Colonel Malone would have undoubtedly headed the march to Constantinople had be been supported by sufficient men who could shoot well. 1 am quite certain that as fighters the New Zealand boys are second to none." Captain Wallingford said much more in praise of the lighting qualities of the Xew Zealanders, and is eagerly looking forward to the time when he can again take his place with the famous Anzacs. It may be stated that when the King's Birthday honours of 1915 were distributed Captain Wallingford, who was on the Gallipoli Peninsula for four months, was made the recipient of the Military Cross, an honour which such a distinguished soldier richly merited.