ONE OF THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION’S FINEST - A KIWI Sedd-el-Bahr was an old Ottoman Fort, located at the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. In the lead up to the Gallipoli Landings, the Fort was a Turkish strong point and an easily identifiable target for bombardment by British and French warships. The Fort was located at one end of V Beach one of the British landing sites on 25 April 1915. It was on this beach that the collier SS River Clyde grounded almost directly beneath what remained of Sedd-el-Bahr and became the site where four Victoria Crosses were won by British sailors and soldiers during the first morning of the landings. It was the aftermath of this scene that greeted a 41 year old Kiwi, Captain James Waddell of the French Foreign Legion as he came ashore alongside the River Clyde on 26 May 1915. This was the start of his war. Over the next three and half years he was to become one of France’s most decorated soldiers and one of its finer battalion commanders who survived. Yet, despite his exploits in the ravines of Gallipoli and the desolation of the fields of the Somme, Champagne, Verdun and the Marne, his story has remained largely unknown. James Waddell was born 11 October 1873 in Dunedin, New Zealand. The son of a saddler, he was a bright student who won a scholarship to Otago Boys High in 1888 at the age of 14. In April 1916, the Otago High School Magazine records the recollections of an Old Boy: “I was at School with Waddell… He was mad on soldiering from a child upwards … As a schoolboy he had a passion for reading French; it was his best subject…”1 After leaving school in 1890 Waddell became a student teacher at Mornington. The following year he passed the junior civil service examination and worked in Christchurch as a clerk in the Government Insurance Office. While working, he enrolled at Christchurch University, which he attended at night. In 1895 he applied for a commission in the British Army. Having passed a set of written examinations, James Hector, the Chancellor of the University wrote to the Premier of New Zealand and informed him that: “At its session held April 28th 1895 the Senate of the University passed the following resolution:That James Waddell, an Undergraduate of this University, having passed the first section of the examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, under the Regulation published in the University Calendar for 1894 – page 127, and having also passed an examination in geometric drawing, be recommended and nominated by the Senate for a Military Commission 11 Edited by Boys of the School, The Otago High School Magazine, Vol XXXII – No.1 April 1916, page 64 1 under the Regulations of the Imperial War Office, published in the New Zealand Gazette of April 21st 1892.” Having borrowed £48/5/- from the New Zealand Government “to be repaid in easy installments”, in 1896 Waddell sailed for Durban via Melbourne travelling 3rd class on the steamer Damascus. Arriving March 1897, he joined the 1st Battalion, 2nd Duke of the Wellington (West Riding) Regiment based at Pietermaritzburg as a Sub-Lieutenant. On arrival, Waddell received a greeting like no other. A six-month regimen of systematic bullying orchestrated by a number of his fellow officers. The bullying included physical abuse, trashing his kit and quarters and periodic episodes of humiliation in front of the soldiers he was supposed to lead. An independent observer recorded that he was convinced the bullying was carried out with the encouragement of the Commanding Officer: “Almost from the very date of his joining, a system of persistent and brutal persecution by the senior officers began, abetted, I regret to say, by certain senior officers in the Regt… I am certain that Colonel Gore, by not forwarding Waddell’s application for transfer and by descending to degrading means to try and make a case against Waddell; is attempting to ruin him and shelter those who have cruelly persecuted him.” There were several factors behind the bullying. His height didn’t help – he was only some 5 feet tall. Coming from the colonies was an issue. A common perception then was that those in the colonies were either convicts or from the lower classes. A further factor was the Regiment, where officers could trace their ancestry back to Waterloo and before. Finally Waddell also had a university education – not common amongst the officer corps in those days. These were all identified at the time, as triggers behind what occurred. The bullying only ceased following a Board of Inquiry, which directed all involved to apologize, and the retirement of the Colonel in charge of the Regiment. Notwithstanding his promotion to Lieutenant at the end of 1897, the episode effectively finished any career aspirations Waddell might have had in the British Army. By all accounts he was lucky to survive this introduction to military life. In 1898 the Regiment was transferred to India. Shortly after arriving, Waddell met a young woman of French extraction, Blanche Prudhomme. They were married in March 1898 in Bangalore. Waddell promptly resigned his commission in April 1898 and they travelled to the United Kingdom. To join the officer corps of the Legion, the usual practice was for the officers to be French born and educated. It is understood a relative of Waddell’s wife, who 2 worked in French Army recruitment, helped Waddell secure an appointment as a sub-lieutenant in the Legion’s 2nd Infantry Regiment in April 1900. His early months in the Regiment were not auspicious. His first performance report completed by Colonel Bruneau dated 10 October 1900 reports: “…Sub-Lieutenant Waddell … is a young man of timid aspect, slow-witted character, mild demeanor wanting to do good service and striving to learn French. Finding our regulations for maneuver difficult to assimilate. His joining is not seen of value for the Legion…” Nevertheless Waddell persevered. In the period 1900-1914 Waddell completed his apprenticeship as an officer and his performance reports showed significant progression. For example, in 1909, following his arrival for a second stint in Indo-China, Lieutenant–Colonel Trotet, Head of 5th Battalion of the 2nd Foreign Legion Regiment, reported: “…Very good officer, very vigorous, Lieutenant Waddell is driven with the desire to do well and to satisfy its leaders. Demonstrates authority over the troops he commands with brilliance but with firmness.” Between 1900 and 1914 Waddell undertook two tours of Indo-China and served in the Sahara, Algeria and Morocco. At the beginning of 1914, he was promoted to the rank of Captain with the 1st Foreign Legion Regiment and awarded Knight (Chevalier) of the Legion of Honor for his work in Indo-China. With the outbreak of World War 1, several battalions of the Legion were sent to the western front. Waddell however remained in North Africa with the 23rd Company of the 6th Battalion of the 1st Foreign Legion Regiment. The 6th Battalion’s primary mission was to maintain peace in the Moroccan territories and deal with any locals who might have German, Austro Hungarian or Ottoman sympathies. On 1 March 1915 a new Legion battalion was formed in Africa to serve with the Corps Expéditionnaire d'Orient commanded by General Albert d’Amade. The Legion provided officers for the headquarters group and two companies to make up a battalion. This included Waddell. The Corps was one of France’s contributions to the Allied Mediterranean Expeditionary Force being assembled under Sir Ian Hamilton to gain control of the Dardanelles Straits from Turkey and to capture Constantinople. Gallipoli (1915) Waddell arrived at V Beach leading a group of reinforcements consisting of three officers, seven NCOs, four corporals and 343 legionnaires. In the three weeks since landing the Legion had incurred significant losses particularly among its officers. Waddell on reporting for duty was immediately appointed battalion chief and the reinforcements were incorporated into a battalion formation of 825 men. 3 Under Waddell’s command, the battalion alternated with a battalion of Zouaves to hold and organize a sector located on Kereves Dere. Included in that sector was a position referred to as Fort Gouez located in a shallow ravine on the right side of Kereves Dere. At 2300 hours on 30 May 1915, Turkish forces commenced an aggressive bayonet attack against the northwestern corner of the fortification. The situation was particularly confused as the French company holding the position was in the process of being relieved by one of Waddell’s companies. The Legionnaires withstood three savage attacks by the Turks, during which the bulk of the garrison were either killed or injured. In response, Waddell led the rest of his battalion and attacked and ejected Turkish elements occupying the position. Turkish Forces attacked again at midnight with grenades. The Legionnaires led by Waddell and a Captain Solomon counterattacked with a bayonet charge and succeeded in regaining and consolidating the position. On 3/4 June 1915 the battalion experienced concerted heavy artillery fire around Fort Gouez. The Fort was almost completely destroyed by large caliber shells. On 3 June, one of Waddell’s companies repelled an attack on the Fort and overnight the company repaired the Fort’s defences. At midday on 4 June 1915, the battalion launched a bayonet and grenade attack under intense fire from Turkish artillery, machine guns and snipers. Waddell’s legionnaires made progress and regained ground previously lost. On 21 June 1915, an attack by a composite force of Zouaves and Colonials collapsed in the face of Turkish resistance. In response, Waddell led the legionnaires in a manoeuver that captured over a kilometer of the Turkish line. For his efforts, General Gouraud awarded Waddell his first Croix de Guerre with the following citation: Army Order No 73 of the Corps Expéditionnaire d'Orient of 4 July 1915 “ The Battalion of the 1st Regt of Africa commanded by Captain Waddell since it landed in Gallipoli has always shown in all the battles great qualities of bravery, calm and solidity, which have been for many years the honor and glory of the old Legion. The attack on 21st June carried by storm the Turkish trenches before which we were kept in check since daybreak, and kept them, in spite of violent counter-attack.” Signed General Henri Gouraud On 12 July 1915, Waddell and the legionnaires occupied the trenches on the front line, in an area known as Tognon. The order required Waddell and his troops to 4 undertake a series of attacks to break down the trench complexes criss-crossing the slopes of Kereves. The attacks were preceded by artillery preparation. Waddell’s attack surprised the Turkish defenders. Following fierce hand-to-hand combat Waddell and his Battalion managed to capture the position. It was while he was consolidating his gains, at around 7.50pm, that Waddell was first hit by shrapnel and then by a bullet in the area around his left shoulder. Despite the injuries, Waddell remained in command throughout the night and only agreed to be evacuated the following morning once he was satisfied the position was secure. On 27 August, General Bailloud recognized Waddell’s performance in this action with the award of Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf. The following citation accompanied the award: Army Order No 91 of the Corps Expéditionnaire d'Orient of 4 July 1915 “Waddell personally directed the attack of his battalion against the enemy’s position, which was extremely strong and which he carried by storm. Grievously wounded, and wishing to bring his work to a perfect finish, Waddell refused to be taken from the field. He remained at the head of his Battalion and commanded the firing line until next morning.” Signed: General Maurice Bailloud France (1916 – 1917) Waddell was evacuated first to Algeria and then to France where he spent time convalescing with his second wife at their home in Nice. It wasn’t until 1 April 1916 that Waddell resumed and took command of the 2nd Battalion of the Foreign Legion, replacing Commander Le Gallois. Waddell’s battalion formed part of the reconstituted Legion renamed Regiment de Marche de la Legion Étrangère (RMLE), which formed part of the Moroccan Division. The Moroccan Division in turn formed part of the reserve of I Colonial Corps and occupied a sector of the front on the Santerre Plateau. During 1916, the British and French fronts joined near Peronne. The British attacked north of the River Somme and the French attacked south of the River. As part of efforts to relieve pressure on the troops defending Verdun, which had been under attack since 21 February, French forces commenced a series of “bite and hold” operations. These operations depended on the close coordination between artillery and infantry. General Emile Fayolle Commander of the French 6th Army, which included I Colonial Corps sent the following note to his corps commanders setting out how he expected the battle to unfold: “It is not a matter of rushing across enemy lines, of a general assault resulting in a loss of breath [because of the distance travelled], but of a 5 battle organized and directed from objective to objective, always with an exact and consequently effective artillery preparation.”2 As part of the 6th Army assault, the RMLE was given the task of capturing Belloyen-Santerre, a village located to the east of Amiens between Assevillers and Belloy. The terrain was flat and ideal for artillery. There was no shelter available to the attacker, the ground consisted of chalk well suited to the construction of defensive fortifications. German forces had established strong defences around Belloy-en-Santerre with networks of trenches, shelters (some 13 metres deep) and underground passages leading to machine gun positions. Winston Churchill spoke of it “as the strongest and best defended position in the world.”3 On 1 July 1916 the RMLE Battalions were distributed as follows: Battalion Waddell: Fontaine-les-Cappy; Battalion Mouchet: Western Wood Pylon (north of Fontaine les-Cappy); Battalion Ruelland: Western Wood Berthonval (South of Fontaine-les-Cappy); Lt. Col. Cot in command of the Regiment established his Headquarters at Chuignes. On 4 July the attack commenced at 1400 with an artillery bombardment that included the use of gas. The bombardment continued to 1700 where despite heavy rain and difficult conditions the three battalions commenced their assault. The right battalion (Mouchet) encountered significant difficulties but Waddell’s battalion easily reached the southern fringes of the village and moved towards the southeast end of the village. Waddell’s right company after clearing the village was caught by German machine guns built into enclosed trenches flanking the village and was decimated. Alan Seeger, a Legionnaire in Waddell’s Battalion and a noted US poet was killed there. One hour after commencing the attack, RMLE had fully secured Belloy-enSanterre. The cost of the action to RMLE was: 5 officers, 112 NCOs and Legionnaires killed; 131 missing; and 16 officers, 488 NCOs and legionnaires injured. This was out of a total complement of 68 officers and 2,820 legionnaires. The conduct of Battalion Waddell during the attack was much admired. The post action RMLE report noted: “After having walked a great distance without stopping, the Battalion withstood all attacks from the Germans with an unwavering firmness and without making any errors in maneuver. The number of German dead left Robert A Doughty Pyrrhic Victory: French Strategy and Operations in the Great War, Harvard University Press, 2005, page 291-292 3 On 4 July page 194 2 6 on the field was considerable, while some 730 prisoners of which 15 were officers were taken as well as four machine guns.” It was at Belloy-en-Santerre that the RMLE won its first unit citation in it’s own right. The previous unit citations having been obtained by the 2nd Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion and the 2nd Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Legion. On 11 November 1915, these two Regiments were dissolved and amalgamated into the RMLE. The RMLE inherited the citations awarded to these Regiments. Order No 385 of 27th August 1916 allowed the RMLE to inscribe on their flag “The Somme 1916”. For Waddell’s part, he received his third Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf. The citation reading: Army Order, Official Gazette of the 13th October 1916, Battle of the Somme (France) Army Order of the VIth Army No 375 – 5 August 1916 “Showed to all an example of courage and energy. On July 4th 1916, Commander Waddell brilliantly carried a village by storm (and held it in spite of several counterattacks by the enemy).” In early 1917, General Robert Nivelle commenced planning an offensive on a narrow front centred on Chemin des Dames west of Reims along the Ainse River. The planning for that offensive included a major feint attack to be carried out by the Moroccan Division between Suippes and Mont du Charmes. The RMLE formed the right wing of the Moroccan Division. Battalion Sampigny was given responsibility for leading the frontal attack with Battalion Deville executing a folding operation between Golfe and Auberive and Waddell’s battalion in reserve. The terrain the battalions were expect cover was similar to that found at Belloyen-Santerre - unfavorable to the attacker. The western border consisted of a pine wood while the east was completely denuded. No movement could be executed without being seen. Facing the RMLE were elements of a German Uhlan Division whose “defense was organized to perfection.” To make matters worse rain fell continuously for two days making the attack routes “stagnant cesspools of sticky mud.” On 17 April 1917 the attack began before dawn. From the beginning of the action, violent machine-gun fire slowed the progress of the Battalions. Early on in the action the Commander of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Duriez was mortally wounded. He was immediately replaced by Commandant Deville. Progress was slow and achieved only by the battalions forming into small groups to avoid the enfilading fire and clearing the trenches with grenades and at the point of the bayonet. Waddell’s battalion was committed to the action at 7 midday. He moved his battalion along the edge of the pine wood and by evening occupied the trench complex known as the Constantinople, located on the southern side of the wood. At night, the battalions were re-organized, facing east. The losses during the day were significant with six officers and 82 NCOs and Legionnaires killed and a further seven officers and 257 NCOs and legionnaires injured. The nights of 17 and 18 April were cold and rainy. The Legionnaires in Waddell’s battalion established themselves deep in the trenches to shelter from a German artillery bombardment. At 0800 hours, the battalion occupied a strategic position in the woods. From this position, at 1600 hours, a company from the battalion captured the Landsturm trench complex. This operation was carried out with remarkable brilliance with the Germans either captured or annihilated. On 19 April, in anticipation of a possible attack from the woods to the north, Waddell sent out a reconnaissance party and established that Germans in possession of one or two machine guns held it. Waddell’s battalion cleared this position and was able to establish that the route to Aubervie was unoccupied. The battalion then moved on to secure trench Golfe. By this stage of the action the number of effective legionnaires in each of the battalions was significantly reduced. The ground was extremely cut up following constant artillery bombardments making it very difficult to find suitable routes. The legionnaires lacked grenades and water. Re-supply proved to be difficult. On 20 April, Waddell’s battalion received the order to capture the woods to the north and to occupy the northern edge. Waddell achieved this with a direct attack from south to north. Two groups of grenadiers arrived quickly at the northern end of the trench and commenced the clearing of trenches as well as that of various shelters, killing many Germans. The advance company, subject to machine gun fire, advanced less easily. It was then, on his own initiative, Waddell directed the 5th Company of his battalion forward where it was able to occupy the northern edge. This operation succeeded brilliantly and almost without loss. Twenty prisoners were taken. However, it was followed by a terrible bombardment - evidence that this move had troubled the enemy. Under Waddell’s leadership, the ground was held despite bombing and enemy counter attacks. The next morning, Battalion Waddell returned to the Bois des Bouleaux and resumed as the reserve battalion for the RMLE. By the end the Auberive action, the RMLE had consumed some 50,000 grenades. The Regiment had pushed back the enemy by more than two kilometres and forced the Germans to evacuate a village that had resisted over the previous two years all French efforts to capture it. 8 At 0600 hours on 21 July, General Gouraud, Commander of the 4th Army, addressed the Legionnaires of the RMLE and presented the Officer's Cross of the Legion of Honor to Waddell. This was accompanied by the following citation: Extract from the Official Gazette, June 10th 1917 Made officer of the Legion of Honour Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf Battalion Commander James Waddell (New Zealand) on the official list for promotion to the National Order of the Legion of Honour for bravery in the field. Superior officer: energetic and brave; most brilliant conduct at the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) and at the Battle of the Somme, during the attack of Belloy-en-Santerre. In August 1917 the Moroccan Division including the RMLE moved to the Verdun sector. At this stage of the Verdun campaign, German forces continued to occupy both sides of the Meuse. This gave them excellent views of the French rear and enabled them to use medium caliber artillery to cover the only usable road node that linked Verdun. To address this situation, the 2nd Army, was directed to execute an offensive operation to clear the German forces occupying both sides of the Meuse. The overall tactical objectives were to: - remove and occupy positions that gave views to the enemy; and - take or destroy enemy batteries or shelters. For the Moroccan Division their task was to clear the area between Mort Homme (west of Cumieres), the Meuse and the wood to the north of Cumieres. The RMLE formed part of the Division’s 1st Brigade under the command of Colonel Mittelhauser. Before the action Lieutenant-Colonel Rollet outlined to his commanders how he expected the Regiment would approach this action: “In the first phase, Waddell’s Battalion would provide the Regiment’s offensive power. Battalion Sampigny would cover Waddell’s Battalion’s movement towards the Meuse. Battalion Sampigny would progress along the railway line towards the Forges trench complex and undertake trench clearing operations. Battalion Deville would constitute the reserve battalion. In the second phase, Battalion Deville would attack the trench complex on Hill 265. Battalion Sampigny would continue the attack on the Forges 9 trench complex. Battalion Waddell would follow the Deville Battalion and ensure the various units remain connected between the Deville Battalion, Sampigny Battalion and the Meuse.” 20 August was planned for "D" day. The whole Regiment readied itself for attack at 0440 hours. The first waves of resistance were encountered on the enemy line. Waddell’s Battalion reached its initial objective and moved into the wood to the north east of Cumieres and captured the Kieppart trench complex. Waddell’s company commanders then undertook the necessary reconnaissance and re-positioning of the Battalion in preparation for the next day. During the morning of 21 August, the Battalion regrouped to the south east and successively occupied the L’Oie , Crochet and Pommiers trenches. During the night, Waddell’s battalion extended the line to the bottom of Bellevaux to the edge of Brocqueteaux, up to the Meuse. By 2000 hours on 22 August, Waddell reported that his battalion was at Regueville, where he had captured six medium caliber cannons, four in good condition and a few isolated Germans along the canal to Consenvoye. This was a significant distance beyond where the regiment expected to be. During the night the battalion busied itself organising the sector, extending trenches, clearing shelters and laying additional defences. During these operations the Regiment took 680 prisoners, including 18 officers, a doctor and 29 NCOs. The RMLE also captured 14 cannons, numerous machine guns and a large quantity of ammunition and ancillary equipment . On 10 September 1917, Battalion Commander Waddell was awarded a Croix de Guerre for his actions at Cumieres. The citation read: Order No 888, 2nd Army, September 10th 1917 Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf On August 20th 1917, Commander Waddell led his battalion forward in magnificent style to attack the enemy’s positions, reaching the final objective one-hour in advance of the set time, going beyond our own artillery curtain of fire, capturing four guns and many prisoners. On August 21st Commander Waddell directed a second operation, taking a village and six guns. Signed General Philippe Petain The losses the Regiment incurred at Verdun were substantial with some 515 men killed or injured. 10 Throughout the operation, the three battalions of RMLE were equally distinguished and the Legion as a whole distinguished itself. Cumieres provided the Regiment with its third citation “Verdun 1917” which read: “On August 20, 1917, under the energetic leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Rollet, the RMLE stormed a village and a wood powerfully defended. Despite the difficulties of the terrain, the assault was conducted with such fury that despite our own barrages, Lieutenant Colonel Rollet exceeded the final objective that had been assigned to him and captured nearly 3 km from its starting point. Showing initiative, Lieutenant Colonel Rollet completed an action that had been planned for a later date by capturing a series of heights and a village which had cost our forces heavy sacrifices previously. The attack led to the possession of a front 2.5 km in length and the capture of 680 prisoners, eight guns4 and numerous machine guns.” Even more impressively, the RMLE’s conduct at Verdun earned it the Cross of the Legion of Honor, which was conferred on 27 September 1917. Finally on 3 November, the RMLE was given la fourragere rouge a la couleur of the Ribbon of the Legion of Honor, in recognition that the Regiment had received six citations from the Army for its previous achievements. There was, however, significant disquiet about Waddell’s performance during this last action. Colonel Mittelhauser 1st Brigade’s commander carpeted both Rollet and Waddell for exceeding their orders and wrote to General Jean Degoutte the Divisional Commander recommending that severe sanctions be applied. An indication of Colonel Mittelhauser’s anger is seen in a note he wrote to Rollet: “Altogether it seemed clear that under your leadership, otherwise very energetic, the Legion Regiment has tended to escape the action of the command and go it alone .... While the initiative when orders are lacking is commendable, the systematic pursuit of tactical independence is irresponsible. The affirmation of the personality of the leader may be to the detriment of combat discipline.” Waddell’s decision to move his battalion on from its assigned objective and to capture Regueville, and, in so doing, remove the Germans ability to interdict French forces and supplies moving in the rear of the Verdun sector, was highly controversial. While Generals Degoutte and Petain recognized the brilliance of Waddell’s action, given Colonel Mittelhauser’s formal complaint, General Degoutte had little choice but to send a signal to the Regiment that orders were to be followed. Imposing a sanction on the popular, charismatic, politically connected and French born Rollet was not an option. Instead the decision taken was to move Waddell from the La citation de la 2e Armee donne le nombre de 8 canons alors que le journal de marche du RMLE fournit une autre indication: 14 canons pris 4 11 RMLE. General Degoutte took the opportunity to move Colonel Mittelhauser as well. On 28 December 1917, Waddell was made Commandant of a camp to train elements of the Unites States 2nd Division which had arrived in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force. Waddell commanded the Training Camp for some four months before being called back into action. In the second half of 1918 he went on to win a further two Croix de Guerre leading a battalion of the 169th Infantry Regiment in the French Army. After the war, Waddell’s career continued in the French Army until 1925. He finished with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired to Tunisia and Morocco where he remained on the Army Reserve list until the 1930s. On the death of his third wife, Waddell returned to New Zealand in 1950 and spent his remaining years at Levin on the North Island of New Zealand. In 1954 he passed away at the age of 81. Over the years there has been periodic conjecture in New Zealand as to who was James Waddell. There was a tantalizing glimpse contained in Victory Forever a booklet written by Enoch Copp in 1957, an Evangelist who got to know Waddell in his final years and who managed to get the Colonel to open up about some of his war experiences. Copp documented the recollections, although for some, the recollections seemed so far fetched and inconsistent to be taken seriously. Complicating Waddell’s story was that his official records were in French. This seems to have deterred researchers from pursuing the story of this larger than life character. In recent years several New Zealanders including M Cranston, David Scoullar, Dave Johnston, and Lyn Fletcher have confirmed much of what Copp wrote in 1954. Their research and writings have done much to keep alive Waddell’s story. While relatively unknown in New Zealand, in France, being an officer, reaching the level of Lieutenant Colonel by war’s end, plus the awards he attained in the French Foreign Legion and as a Battalion Commander in the 169th line regiment, were unique, given that he was born outside France. However, despite being naturalized as a French citizen in the early 1900s, there are indications some in the French military, including within the Legion itself, considered him an outsider and not appropriate for their officer corps. Records show that his promotions within the Regiment were resented by some elements, the decision he took at Verdun while later acknowledged as a stroke of genius, was all that was needed for RMLE command to close ranks and have Waddell transferred out. While Waddell’s career with the Legion ended, his heroics and leadership on the battlefield continued. Two further Croix de Guerre awards in the 2nd Battle of the Marne in 1918 demonstrated that he was a man who let his actions speak. 12 The story coming to light from French military records is remarkable, not only for what he experienced with the French Foreign Legion and a line regiment of the French Army during World War 1, but also before, in Tonkin, Algeria, Morocco and the Sahara. Waddell’s tenacity and courage take New Zealanders renowned resilience under conditions of adversity to a whole new level. The ferocity of the battles he was in, the sustained bombardments (including chemical attacks) he endured, the death and destruction of fellow Legionnaires he witnessed, the sheer variety and scale of harsh conditions and deprivations he encountered are impossible to comprehend in this day and age. The Regiment was one of France’s elite military formations. Throughout the war French commanders used the Legion as shock troops and incurred casualty rates that would not be politically tenable in this day and age. Due to its losses, the Legion’s various Battalions were reconstituted and amalgamated on several occasions. Indeed, the losses were such that in November 1915 the Legion was reconstituted as the RMLE. By War’s end, the RMLE was one of the most highly decorated formations in the French Army, and in two of the battles of World War 1 for which battle honours were awarded to the Regiment, Waddell was to be found in the thick of the action. As France and New Zealand commemorate and remember the contribution and sacrifice their forces made in World War 1, it is only fitting that both countries pause to also remember the nuggety New Zealander who never took a backward step. Alan Gray is an Australian writer currently researching a biography of James Waddell, to be published in 2016. He was a former Assistant Secretary in the Australian Department of Defence. 13