Fred Waite

Born in 1885 in Dunedin, New Zealand, Fred Waite was new to farming when war was declared; he had recently been a compositor for the Otago Daily Times. He enlisted as lieutenant in the New Zealand Field Engineers in August 1914 and embarked on HMNZT Maunganui in October.

Fred was promoted soon after joining the force and worked as adjutant to the Corps of New Zealand Engineers. He served at Gallipoli, where he was wounded and temporarily evacuated in May 1915. In August, he was evacuated to England due to severe dysentery, and later to Lemnos to rest and regain his strength at Sarpi Rest Camp. For his outstanding service at Gallipoli, Fred was twice mentioned in despatches and was recognised with a Companion of Distinguished Service Order ‘for gallantry and devotion to duty in connection with the operations at the Dardanelles’. He had rallied and compelled his men at critical moments.

From 1916, Fred became the chief engineer instructor at the New Zealand Expeditionary Force training camps back in New Zealand. He was discharged in May 1917. He returned to farming, converting his own into a dairy farm. This led to his involvement in industry representation and, eventually, politics. In the post-war period, he also authored the book The New Zealanders at Gallipoli.

Fred later served in the Second World War, initially with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and then colonel. Died in Balclutha, Otago, in August 1952.