The Coming Storm, page 15
After playing for New Zealand against Glamorgan and Warwickshire Moloney was selected for the third test against England, to be played at the Oval on 14 August 1937. New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat making 249, Moloney batting further down the order making 23 before being bowled by Wally Hammond. In reply England made 254, Joseph Hardstaff (Wisden cricketer of the year 1938) making 103. In their second innings New Zealand made 187, Moloney making 38 before being bowled by Denis Charles Scott Compton (Wisden cricketer of the year 1939). In their second innings England made 31 for one. The match was drawn.
Moloney went on to play against Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, and England XI, H.D.G. Leveson-Gower’s XI and finally on 11 September 1937, Ireland, New Zealand taking the match by eight wickets. On the way home the New Zealand team stopped in Australia where Moloney played in all three matches, against South Australia (lost by ten wickets), Victoria (won by five wickets) and New South Wales, (lost by eight wickets). On returning to New Zealand Moloney resumed his career with Wellington, playing against Auckland (drawn). At the end of 1938 Moloney resumed playing for Otago making appearances in the Plunket Shield against Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. He also made one more appearance for New Zealand against Sir J. Cahn’s XI. The match was drawn.
Moloney made his final first-class appearance playing for Canterbury against Wellington on 1 January 1941 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. Canterbury won the toss and decided to bat making 359, Moloney making 12 before being caught by John Lamason off the bowling of Thomas Pritchard, Pritchard taking five wickets for 87 off 22 overs. In reply Wellington made 316. In their second innings Canterbury made 233, Moloney making three before being bowled by Pritchard. In their second innings Wellington made 279, the New Zealand test cricketer Martin Donnelly making 138. Wellington won by four wickets.
Moloney also made three Hawke Cup matches playing for Manawatu against Nelson, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay.
During his career Moloney played in three tests, making 156 runs, his highest score being 64 against England. He also bowled 12 balls for nine runs. He made three catches. During his first-class career he made 3,219 runs, his highest score being 190 against Wellington. He made two centuries and sixteen fifties. He also bowled 5,350 balls taking 95 wickets for 3,151, his best figures being five for 23 including three fine wicket hauls. He made 35 catches.
Working as an insurance clerk and living at 159 Cargill Street, Dunedin shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted into the 20th Battalion New Zealand Infantry being commissioned to lieutenant and posted to the Western Desert. On 14 and 15 July 1942, during the First Battle of El Alamein, the battalion became involved in the Battle of Ruweisat Ridge. The Ridge, a vital position, was held by the enemy and was in the centre of the El Alamein line, dominating the surrounding area. The 20th Battalion advanced on the position at night supported by the 18th and 19th New Zealand Battalions. At dawn it was discovered that the advance had bypassed numerous German strongpoints, leaving their front line on the ridge still intact. With the British armour, artillery and anti-tank units unable to break through to them it left the New Zealand battalions exposed on the ridge. The 15th Panzer Division counter-attacked on 15 July and, with limited means of stopping them, the infantry were quickly overrun. They were surrounded and the 20th Battalion had almost 200 men taken prisoner including Lieutenant Denis Andrew Robert Moloney, who died of wounds in German hands on 15 July 1942. He is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, grave reference II. E. 23.
First-class Career Batting and Fielding
Bowling averages
Lieutenant Norman Henry McMillan
Auckland
One first-class appearance
4th Field Regiment New Zealand Artillery
Died 16 July 1942, aged 33
Right-handed bat
‘A fine man, a fine cricketer’
Norman McMillan was born on 2 September 1906 in Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand. He was the son of George and Agnes McMillan of Invercargill. He was educated at King’s College (1922-4) where his talent for sports was soon recognized and he became captain of the rugby XV as well as playing for the college XI. He was also a member of College Rifles Rugby Football Club.
McMillan made one first-class appearances for Auckland against Canterbury in the Plunket Shield. The match was played on 8 January 1932 at Eden Park. Auckland won the toss and elected to bat making a very poor 56, the highest score being 17, McMillian making five before being lbw to James Thomas Burrows. In reply Canterbury made 218. McMillan bowled four overs and took no wickets for 18. He did however manage to hang on to two catches. The New Zealand test cricketer Ian Cromb bowled Henry Gifford ‘Giff’ Vivian, another New Zealand test cricketer, for 16 and Robert Crosbie Burns, bowled by the New Zealand test cricketer Mal Matheson for 11. Vivian took five wickets for 59 off 25 overs. In their second innings Auckland did better making 256, McMillan making seven before being caught and bowled by Bill Merritt. He also bowled one over taking no wicket for three. Merritt took eight wickets for 105 off 33 overs. In their second innings Canterbury made 98 for three taking the match by eight wickets.
McMillan married Sheilah Anne (née Wellwood) and they lived at 55 Bidwell Street, Wellington.
During the Second World War he served with the 4th Field Regiment New Zealand Artillery later being commissioned and becoming a lieutenant. He died of wounds received during the First Battle of El Alemein on 16 July 1942. He is buried in the Tel El Kebir War Memorial Cemetery, grave reference 1. N. 8. He is also commemorated on the King’s College Memorial Chapel, Otahuhu, Auckland Roll of Honour, College Rifles, Rugby Union Football & Sports Club, 33 Haast Street, Remuera, Auckland.
Batting and fielding averages
Bowling averages
Lieutenant Colonel Howard Cyril Frederick Vella Dunbar
Europeans (India)
Three first-class appearances
40th (King’s) Batt’n Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Died 23 July 1942
Aged 37
Right-handed bat
‘A loss to his family, a loss to his regiment’
Howard Dunbar was born on 20 October 1904 in Poona. He was the son of Colonel B.H.V. Dunbar DSO and Helen Vella Dunbar. Returning from India, the family resided at 18 Lynette Avenue, Clapham Common.
He was educated at Ampleforth where he played for the first XI, turning out against Old Amplefordians, St Peter’s York, Durham School, Scarborough, Bootham School, Yorkshire Gentlemen and West Yorkshire Regiment. Deciding on a career in the army he went up to Royal Military College Sandhurst.
He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Tank Corps on the 27 August 1924. Promoted to lieutenant on 27 August 1926 he was later posted to India.
It was while serving in India that he made his three first-class appearances. He made his debut for the Europeans against the Muslims in the final of the Lahore Tournament on
19 March 1929 at the Lawrence Gardens. The Europeans won the toss and decided to bat making 105, Dunbar making six before being caught and bowled by the Indian test cricketer Jahangir Khan. Khan took six wickets for 49 off 21 overs during the innings. In reply the Muslims made 389 declared, Ferozuddin making 140 not out and Syed Wazir Ali 153 not out. In their second innings the Europeans made 210, Dunbar making five before being caught by Fida Hussain off the bowling of the Indian test cricketer Mohammad Khan who went on to take a further four wickets for 48 off 20 overs. The Muslims won by an innings and 74 runs.
He made his second first-class appearance once again in the Lahore Tournament and once again against the Muslims. The match took place on the 26 January 1930 at the Lawrence Gardens. The Europeans won the toss and decided to bat making 84, Dunbar making 15 before being caught by Karim Baksh off the bowling of Abdus Salaam. Salaam took six wickets for 31 runs off 12 overs. In reply the Muslims made 207. Reginald Charles Keller took five wickets for 50 off 21 overs. In their second innings the Europeans made 103. Dunbar made the top score of 28 before being caught by Karim Baksh off the bowling of Mohammad Khan. Khan took eight wickets for 33 off 23 overs. The Muslims won by a convincing innings and 20 runs.
Dunbar made his third and final first-class appearance for the Punjab Governor’s XI, once again against the Muslims, on 1 February 1930 at the Lawrence Gardens. The Governor’s XI, batting first, made 225, Dunbar making ten before being run out. In reply the Muslims made 348, the Indian test cricketer Syed Wazir Ali making 181. In their second innings the Governor’s XI made 192, George Abell (of Worcester fame) making 116. The match was eventually drawn.
On his return he was appointed assistant instructor at the Tank Driving and Maintenance School, Bovington, on 3 June 1934. In December 1934 he married Joan Helen Anderson in Marylebone. On 21 March 1936 he was promoted to captain, then to major on 27 August 1941, and later to lieutenant colonel. He served with the 40th (King’s) Battalion Royal Tank Regiment and was sent out to the Western Desert to confront Rommel’s Afrika Korps who had been running rings around the British.
In July 1942, the Afrika Korps had been stopped at El Alamein, a few short miles from the important town of Alexandria. Despite fighting desperately, the British 8th Army, with little amour, was almost done. If they were to go on the offensive and push Rommel back, they needed reinforcement, especially tanks. The 40th Royal Tank Regiment attached to the 23rd Armoured Brigade which had arrived in July 1942 were sent into battle as soon as they arrived without waiting for the rest of the division. The Germans held the vital Ruweisat Ridge which drove a wedge into the British position. If any attack was to be successful this position must be taken. As we saw in earlier chapters the New Zealand and Indian divisions had tried and failed with heavy losses. At 8 am on 23 July, the 104 Valentine tanks of 40th and 46th RTR charged north towards the New Zealanders’ positions a mile and a half away. Running into a German minefield they quickly lost over twenty tanks. Pressing on with the advance, C squadron 40th RTR leading the way, they were quickly surrounded by the tanks of the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions. Despite being outgunned they tried to close the range and engage the German tanks. Lacking high explosive ammunition for their 2-pounder guns, it was of little use and despite their bravery within two hours both the 40th and 46th RTR battalions had been destroyed, losing ninety-three Valentine tanks out of the 104 that set out. It was during this attack that the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Howard Cyril Frederick Vella Dunbar was to lose his life.
He is commemorated in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, grave reference 3. D. 7. He is also remembered on the Camberley Memorial.
Batting and fielding averages
Bowling averages
El Alamein Cemetery.
6856738 Corporal Wilfred John Parry
Rhodesia, Natal
Three first-class appearances
1st Battalion The King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Died 23 July 1942, aged 31
Right-handed bat
‘Could twist a ball better than any man I have ever seen’
Wilfred Parry was born on 17 August 1910 in Durban. He was the son of Llewellyn and Edith Mary Parry of Durban.
Parry made three first-class appearances between 1930 and 1936. He made his debut for Natal against the MCC. The match was played on 21 November 1930 in Kingsmead, Durban. Natal won the toss and decided to bat making 288, Parry making 25 before being bowled by Jack White. Maurice Tate took five wickets for 64 off 39 overs. In reply the MCC made 402. In their second innings Natal made 114 for two. The match was drawn.
He made his second first-class appearance for Natal, once again against the MCC at the City Oval, Pietermaritzburg, on 10 January 1931. Natal won the toss and decided to bat making 107. Parry made 16 before being caught by Elias Henry Hendren (Wisden cricketer of the year 1920) off the bowling of William Voce (Wisden cricketer of the year 1933). In reply the MCC made 284, Arthur Woods taking six wickets for 83 off 26 overs. In their second innings Natal made 107, Parry making five before being bowled by Bill Voce, Voce taking five wickets for 31 off 20 overs. The MCC won by an innings and 70 runs.
It was five years before Parry made his final first-class appearance, this time for Rhodesia against Australia in South Africa. The match was played on 8 February 1936 at the Raylton Club, Bulawayo. Rhodesia won the toss and decided to field. Australia made 357, Leonard Stuart Darling making 108. In reply Rhodesia made 157 for four. Parry made 47 before being bowled by Arthur Chipperfield. The match was drawn.
Parry later married Barbara, of Umtali, Rhodesia.
During the Second World War Parry served with the 1st Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps. During the war the battalion was deployed to North Africa and saw action as part of the pivot group within the 7th Armoured Division at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh in November 1941 and the First Battle of El Alamein fought between 1 and 27 July 1942. Parry was killed during the First Battle of El Alamein on 23 July 1942. He is commemorated in the El Alamein Cemetery, grave reference XXV. D. 6.
Batting and fielding averages
Bowling averages
Lieutenant Clifford Mark Barker
Transvaal
One first-class appearance
1st Royal Natal Carbineers, SA Forces
Died 27 July 1942, aged 25
Right-handed bat
‘One of the finest men Natal has ever produced’
Clifford Barker was born in 1917 in Pinetown, Natal. He was the son of Herbert and Evia Barker of Port Shepstone, Natal.
He made one first-class appearance for Transvaal against the Orange Free State in the Currie Cup on 21 January 1938 at the Old Wanderers, Johannesburg. Transvaal won the toss and decided to bat making 475. Barker made 13 before being lbw to K. Hayward. The two South African test cricketers, Dooley Briscoe making 175 and Denis Warburton Begbie 207. In reply Orange Free State made 334, John Cecil Newton making 112. Barker took two wickets for 83 runs off 23 overs, Edward Leonard Liddle lbw for one and Andrew Maclean Pollock lbw for zero. He also caught Murray Godfred Francis off the bowling of Norman Gordon for 99. In their second innings Transvaal made 187 for three declared. Barker failed to bat, the South African test cricketer Bruce Mitchell (Wisden cricketer of the year 1936) making 103. In their second innings Orange Free State made 91. Barker bowled three overs and took no wickets for four. Transvaal won by 237 runs.
During the Second World War Barker served with the 1st Royal Natal Carbineers, SA Forces, being commissioned as a lieutenant. Between 26 and 27 July 1942 the Carbineers were involved in a subsidiary action in the El Alamein defensive battles at Qattara. It was here that Lieutenant Clifford Mark Barker was killed in action on 27 July 1942.
He is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, grave reference IV. H. 26.
Batting and fielding averages
Bowling averages
41642 Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Allan James Edwards
Otago
One first-class appearance
129 (RAF) Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Died 18 August 1942, aged 22
Right-handed bat
‘One of the few’
Allan Edwards was born on 12 April 1920 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. He was the youngest of four brothers born to Lewis John and Isabella Edwards of Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin.
Felixstowe New Cemetery.
Edwards made one first-class appearance, for Otago against Canterbury on 25 December 1940 at Lancaster Park. Otago won the toss and decided to bat making 298. Edwards made 16 before being bowled by Reginald James Westwood, Alan Thomas Burgess taking six wickets for 52 off 20 overs. In reply Canterbury made 237. In their second innings Otago made 241. Edwards was bowled for a duck, once again by Alan Burgess. In their second innings Canterbury made 306 for three, the New Zealand test cricketer Walter Hadlee making 144 and Francis Patrick O’Brien 101. Canterbury won by seven wickets.
Not only was Edwards a fine cricketer but also an enthusiastic rock climber. He was the first to conquer Mt Alba, near Wanaka, a difficult climb only repeated once since. In 1941 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force training as a pilot in Canada. On his return to England he was posted to 129 squadron (RAF). The squadron was detailed to provided bomber escort and carry out offensive sweeps over France.
While with 129 Squadron (Spitfires) he made twenty-six sorties. During a patrol, which took place on 5 June 1942, his squadron was attacked by a squadron of Focke Wulf 190s off the coast of France. Edwards’ Spitfire was badly damaged in the following dogfight and he was forced to turn back home. However he didn’t quite make it as his engine finally failed and he was forced to bail out, watching his Spitfire crash into the sea. He managed to inflate and get into his survival dingy. Luckily he was picked up forty-five minutes later by a Walrus seaplane and eventually returned to his squadron.
