Not all Defence Stores Department personnel were civilians, New Zealand has a long history of “Defence Stores Department” and “Head Storekeepers,” one such example is Major James O’Sullivan who served with the NZ Armed Constabulary before transferring to the Defence Stores Department in 1885 becoming Wellington’s Head Storekeeper in 1899. In January 1907 O’Sullivan was made Director of Ordnance Stores and given a Captains commission. In September 1911 O’Sullivan was promoted to Major, and in July 1914 was made an Assistant Quartermaster General. In April 1916 O’Sullivan was made Director of Ordnance Stores.
Although not quite Defence Stores personnel but to fill in the gap of 1911 to 1914, it is worth mentioning Lieutenant Colonel G. N. Johnston (Royal Artillery) who became Director of Ordnance and Inspector of Artillery in 1911.
Major J. S Maidlow (Royal Artillery) became Assistant Director of Ordnance and Instructor of Artillery, but left New Zealand to return to England in June 1914. (killed late 1914 serving with the RA)
Lieutenant Colonel G. N. Johnston embarked with the NZEF Main body HQ Staff.
However it is the ‘Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services’ (DADOS) Captain William Thomas Beck who is also worthy of a mention.
Honorary Captain William Thomas Beck pre-war was a professional soldier in the NZ Staff Corps, and held the position as the Auckland District Storekeeper and was based at Mount Eden Defence Stores.
When the Auckland Contingent of the NZEF Main Body was assembled at Epsom Camp, Beck was appointed DADOS to the NZ Main Body attached to the NZ Headquarters Staff.
Captain Beck was promoted to full Captain in June 1915 and was metioned in Dispatches by Sir Ian Hamilton on the 6 August 1915. On the 8 November 1915 was Gazetted to be a companion of the DSO.
The following photo dated 1 October 1915, shows Captain W. T. Beck standing on the left at the ordnance depot in Shrapnel Gully, Gallipoli.
Photo of Captain Beck taken after his service at Gallipoli, he would be wearing blue Staff officers gorget collar patches , the hat badge appears to be a NZ Staff officers cap badge.
