Captain Wallingford had expected to be fit for duty in one month, instead it took two, on the 11th March 1916 Wallingford returned to duty and reported at Trentham camp for instructions.
The return of Captain Wallingford is interesting for two reasons. The first is that this places him as a member of the NZ Staff Corps attached to Headquarters Instructional Staff at Trentham when the NZ Specialist Company was formed. The second is that his junior officer Captain Purdon occupied his old job as Chief Musketry Instructor.
The most obvious solution was that Wallingford should have replaced Purdon as Chief Musketry Instructor. Purdon however had risen through the ranks just as Wallingford had and by all accounts was a good officer and had done a good job as Chief Musketry Instructor.
I think that at this point it is worth mentioning that contrary to popular belief that it was General Godley who brought the four Hythe musketry instructors to New Zealand. The truth is, Sir Joseph Ward who at the time was the New Zealand Prime Minister and Minister of Defence recruited Wallingford.
During a visit to England, Sir Joseph Ward had heard of Sergeant Major Wallingford’s desire of promotion, but due to the ineffable stupidity of War Office that he could only be promoted for service in the field, resulted in his promotion being refused. Ward promptly offered the expert a commission in the New Zealand Forces (Rank of Lieutenant) and the post of musketry instructor. Both were promptly accepted.
(It was a good thing for New Zealand and a bad deal for the Mother Country, at the time a question was raised in the House of Commons about his loss to England)
Records of the time show that Wallingford took a short trip to Nelson on the 16th March 1916 and gave a course of instructions to the 20th Company of Senior Cadets.
Records also place Captain Wallingford as assisting Major Neave with new improved musketry training to the 12th Infantry Reinforcements in early April 1916.
Unfortunately I have as yet found no evidence linking Captain Wallingford to the training of the first Specialist Machine Gun Sections, although I am positive that he would have been one of the architects of their training.
In May 1916 Captain Wallingford was assigned on behalf of the Government to inspect rifle ranges around New Zealand. Although it seems to me that his inspection of rifle ranges around New Zealand was more of a promotional tour to increase enlistment.
On the 3rd March 1917 Captain Wallingford reported for duty at Trentham Camp to replace Captain Purdon as Chief Musketry Instructor. Captain Purdon was proceeding on active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (With effect from the 12th March 1917)
Although I have been referring to Wallingford as Captain, his actual rank at this point was Lieutenant.
Lieutenant Wallingford was appointed Captain on the 30th April 1917, NZ Gazette 78, 3rd May 1917.
Captain J. A. Wallingford, M.C. while “attached to the General Staff for musketry duties at headquarters, and granted the temporary rank of Major whilst so employed.” (Dated 30th April 1917).
Interestingly, the November 1917 NZ Army Appointments and Promotions list shows. —
“The undermentioned to be Captains, to complete establishment: —Lt. (temp. Major) J. A. Wallingford, M.C. (8th June, 1917)”
In July 1917 Major Wallingford was appointed Inspector of Rifle Clubs, Drill Halls, and Rifle Ranges.
The following picture shows the Camp Staff, 1917.
Captain Wallingford is in the second row on the far right.
Captain Purdon is seated in the front row on the far right.
Major Neave is seated third from the left in the front row.
In July 1919 Wallingford relinquished his rank of Major and position as Musketry Officer of the Headquarters Staff at Wellington, and accepted an appointment as Staff Captain for instructional duties on the Auckland staff.
Captain Wallingford was promoted to Major with effect as from 1st August 1919.
Major Wallingford held various staff posts in the Auckland district until his retirement in August 1927.
From March 1929 to 1941 he was Superintendent of the Mount Roskill Veterans Home.
On the 6th June 1944 in his 73rd year Major Wallingford the Prince of Riflemen died in Auckland.