Arthur Morrow, 1842-1937

1/2 length portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Morrow (Heritage New Zealand website). Also featured in supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 11 May 190, page 1. See also Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19000511-1-5
Military Record (2/8273)
Digitised by New Zealand Archives (online here).

Details of War Service
New Zealand Wars (1863-1865)

• Present at Wairoa Redoubt and Stockade and attack on native settlement at Otau, Wairoa
• 15 May 1863-1864, Royal Coy Auckland Rifle Vols
• 1864 transferred to No. 4 Coy Auckland Rifle Vols
• August 31 1866 - Appointed Ensign
• February 7 1868 - promoted Lieutenant
• May 4 1871 - promoted Captain
• June 16 1874 transferred to No 3 company
• August 26 1878 - promoted Major
• December 31 1882 - placed on Honorary Unattached List, N.Z. Vol
• December 30 1889 - transferred to Unattached Active List
• April 25 1896 - re-transferred to Honorary Unattached List, N.Z. Vol
• April 16 1904 - Posted to retired list

Decorations and medals awarded

• V.D. (Volunteer Decoration
• New Zealand War Medal
• Officers Long Service Medal

He was also issued with a Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal but this was issued in error and subsequently returned, owing to the fact that Officers who already qualified for the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration were not entitled to it.

On November 16, 1922, concern about uniform and new rules caused the well retired Arthur to write to the “Brigadier General in Charge of Administration” to present his case for permission to wear on public occasions the uniform he was accustomed to wearing (letter within his Military Record).

Sir,
Having reference to your letter of 16th June ulto. informing me that my name appears on the New Zealand Army Retired List, and of the practice to be observed as to wearing uniform with exceptions as to Staff distinctions.

Permit me to observe that when in command as Captain of one of the Companies of the Auckland Rifle Brigade I received my commission as Major, dated 28th August 1878, being subsequently posted, - vide paragraphs 256 and 257 of the Defence Act 1866 - as one of the District Staff Officers for Auckland, serving afterwards on the staff of the late Colonel Shepherd, that of Colonel Goring, of Colonel Davies, of Colonel Wolfe, and Lieut Colonel White as officers commanding Auckland District, and had the honor in my position of D.A.A.G of this District to command the troops -some 300 officers non-coms, and men- comprising the Escort of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales - now His Majesty King George V -during his visit to Rotorua, for which I received his personal appreciative thanks, and that of his Excellency the Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly.

I was permitted to wear my staff uniform during the periods in the New Zealand Command, of the late Colonel Pole-Renton R.A., also of Colonel Fox R.A., Major General Babington and Lieut. General Sir Alexr. J. Godley C.B. K.C.M.G. - the latter officer through Colonel Wolfe subsequently requesting me to produce my maps, and drawings in connection with a military paper on Defence, - which I read before General Babington and the Garrison Officers for his inspection at the northern Club, upon examination of which he expressed his high commendation, saying in the presence of his Staff Officer - Captn. Spencer Smith R.A,- “The maps are most valuable, and I am greatly obliged for what you have shown me this morning. You have given me an insight into my business in this District of which I had no conception”, he then asked me to leave them in order that he might show them to Colonel Burnett Stewart, Director of Military operations, whom he said, would be pleased to see them, adding “Sometime on one of my next visits to Auckland, I will set apart an evening for yourself, to read your Military Paper, and produce these maps and drawings &c. and you shall have the Governor there, as His Excellency would be very pleased to see what you have shown me this morning.” This however was frustrated by the outbreak of the late War.

I may mention that upon the last change of uniforms, my late brother and I, made inquiries at the Defence Office, as to whether it would effect us, and other officers of the “King's Empire Veterans”, and received the reply, “Certainly not, just go on as you are”, and this was never in any way questioned until now. My late brother Hony. Colonel R.B. Morrow - retired list - who served on the Staff of one of the Viceroys of India, always wore his staff uniform, without question, when in command of the Kings Empire Veterans, I being his Staff Officer - an Hon. Res. Corps Sec.6 (a) Defence Act 1909.

I must now ask you to pardon a slight digression. Having at an Academy in Dublin read successfully for the Royal Marine Artillery, but unfortunately missing a commission through having passed the age limit, I afterwards came to Auckland and signed on the Military Establishment on 16th May 1863, serving, through the Māori War, on detachment, at intervals with 1st Battn. H.M. 12th Regt. 2nd Battn. 18th Royal Irish Regt. 43rd Lt. Infantry, 65th Regt. and Hd. Quarters Battn. H.M. 70th Regt. Major Mulock's Flying Column - for which I was awarded the N.Z. War Medal, and subsequently the V.D. and officers long service decorations. I received the thanks of the British Inventions Committee on three occasions during the late War, and also the thanks - by command - of the British Army Council, for suggestions respecting espionage by Foreigners, of Harbours, Dockyard Magazines &c. being informed that my suggestions were given effect to, and being one of New Zealand's Champion shots, on six occasions, I offered my services gratuitously to assist in Musketry Instruction, having had much experience in that respect.

I am now in my 81st year and would esteem it a favor to be still permitted to wear my staff undress uniform, and although yet keen upon “playing the game”, I think it would be inadvisable to incur the expense of a new uniform at my age, having had two serious illnesses, and respectfully ask your favorable re-consideration in my case, being the last of the old staff after over 59 years service, for which I would feel greatly obliged.
I have the honor to be.
Sir. Your most obedient servant,
(signed)
Lieut. Colonel Staff retd.

On December 5th “in view of your long and useful service”, permission was given to wear the uniform he was given at retirement as long as no staff distinctions were worn.

Section of the flagpole from Galloway Redoubt
Showing a section of the flagpole from Galloway Redoubt, cut out of Thorps Bush and erected under the supervision of Ensign Morrow

From NZ Museums. See also Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-1335

Drawing of the settlers” stockade on Mc. Nicols farm at Wairoa South: 1863?
The Settler's Stockade at Wairoa South , scene of an attack on 15 September, 1863. Based on a sketch by Liet. Col A. Morrow (ensign in the Auckland Rifle Volunteers at the time). From the Kintalk Family blog. See also Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-1336



Drawing of the camp of the Flying Column 1863
Drawing by Arthur Morrow showing the camp of the Flying Column: headquarters of the 70th Regiment, Pitt's Militia and Rifle Volunteers in the Wairoa and Maraetai districts, 1863. From the Fletcher Trust Museum. See also Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-1339



Galloway Redoubt, Wairoa South 1863
An unsigned drawing by Arthur Morrow of the Galloway Redoubt, Wairoa South, now Clevedon. See the Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-1333

See also print titled “Grandfather (Col A Morrow) on steps at Simla (Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 646-500) and “Family Group portrait in a bush or garden setting which shows from the back row (left to right): Geoffrey Fairfield, Mrs Mariamne Morrow, Colonel Arthur Morrow, and in the front row: Katie Morrow Burgess, Doris Fairfield, Mary Evelyn Fairfield?

Additionally this image from the Auckland Weekly News shows Governor General John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe With the king's Veterans: His Excellency shaking hands with Colonel Morrow. Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 6 November 1924 p050. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19241106-50-2


Other yet-to-be-digitised resources at Auckland Libraries

• Seated three quarter length portrait of Colonel Morrow in Military dress
• Three quarter length portrait of Arthur Morrow in military uniform
  
  

Death notice and obituary Records

New Zealand Herald, August 31, 1937

“MORROW - On August 30, at his residence. Simla, 33 Almorah Road, (Colonel) Arthur, dearly-beloved husband of Mariamne Morrow, in his 95th year. Private Internment to-day (Tuesday), at 2 p.m., and service at St. Mark's Church, Remuera.”


The Dominion, August 31, 1937

“Colonel Arthur Morrow, a veteran of the Māori wars, who was in his ninety-fifth year, died at his residence in Epson yesterday, and Auckland Press Association message states. When the expedition of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers went to Wairoa South in 1863, Colonel Morrow was an ensign. Afterward he had a distinguished military career. He was born in County Longford, Ireland, and was the fifth son of Mr. Hugh Morrow, formerly of the British Ordance Department. He arrived in Auckland in 1861.”
From a fragment pasted into his Military Record

Auckland City Libraries manuscript number: NZMS 1137
Author: Morrow family
Title: Papers.
Time period: 1856-1963
General: The photographs have been transferred to the Photographs Collection. Collection ID: 646.Physical description: 2 boxes

Collection: New Zealand manuscripts
Finding aid: Inventory 76

Abstract
The collection consists of personal papers, documents, family history, ephemera, interests and photographs relevant to Arthur Morrow, his wife Mariamne Morrow (nee Buckland) and their family and relatives

Inventory

The Collection consists of personal papers, documents, family history, ephemera, interests and photographs relevant to Arthur Morrow, his wife Mariamne Morrow, (Née Buckland) and their family and relatives Index of Collection filed in two boxes and some separate folders.

Box 1
Folder 1 Military Matters
Folder 2 Military & Police History of the Family
Folder 3 Early Māori Contacts
Folder 4 Defence of Auckland
Folder 5 Maritime Matters
Folder 6 Gunnery Invention
Folder 7 Family Records, Correspondence & Memorabilia
Folder 8 Correspondence
Folder 9 Newspaper Clippings
Folder 10 Ephemera
Folder 11 Memorabilia.
Folder11A Property & Financial Papers


Box 2
Folder 12 Miscellaneous Fragile Items
Folder 13 French Exercise Book
Folder 14 Album & Small Book Separate Folders
Folder 15 Certificates
Folder 16 Passports
Folder 17 Map of the “Town of Newmarket”
Folder 18 Certificate and Will
Folder 19 Poetry
Folder 20 List of 409 Photographs from the Morrow Collection held in the Special Collections” Photographic Library.

Detailed inventory
Box 1
Folder No. 1

Military Matters
21.07.1909 Itemised Price List R.H.A Officers” Uniforms (Royal Horse Artillery) from Hobson and Sons of London 0
6.10.1909 Quotations for Silver Laces from the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Of Christchurch (with samples)
06.12.1911 “Secret and Immediate” communication to Lieut. Colonel Morrow to Enquire as to availability to take on censorship role in time of war. With envelope and annotations of efforts to reply
14.06.1914 Letter from Lord Kitchener's agent accepting patronage of the King's Empire Veterans
06.09.1914 Letter from Lord Roberts on receipt of King's Empire veterans badge. (Samples of ribbons from Indian campaigns enclosed)
12.10.1915 A/C for items bought of Hobson and Sons to the amount of £2.12.0 (in triplicate) with accompanying letter
15.09.1916 Letter on behalf of the Governor re the wearing of Military decorations April 1920 Presentation scroll for the Prince of Wales from the Empire Veterans
04.06.1923 Programme for a Complimentary luncheon given to the King's Empire Veterans
Two Cards with Badges of various Orders
Examples of campaign ribbons with a résumé of services rendered to various members of the Royal Family in India and in New Zealand. Ribbon for North West Frontier, Indian Mutiny, Proclamation of Victoria as Empress of India, King Edward's Coronation, Musketry Award, Badge of King's Empire Veterans and two different ribbons for King George with relevant notes.


Folder No. 2
Military and Police History of the Family 
26.02.1856
Official certificate appointing Robert Bole Morrow, Gentleman, as an Ensign in the 46th Regiment of Foot. Signed by Her Majesty's Command

15.09.1866
Report of the death of John Morrow, serving Police Officer, who died in N.S.W. ( and copy)

23.03.1918
Note of the gift to Geoffrey Fairfiled on his 12th Birthday of the revolver which had belonged to his uncle, Inspector John Morrow. (Gifted to Auckland War Memorial Museum in April 1977)

28.10.1911
Extract from the Journal of the House of Representatives, expressing “very high appreciation of the services rendered by the N.Z. Volunteer Force” sent to Colonel Morrow, V.D. (two copies)

12.04.1915
Copy of the official record of the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Private Robert Morrow, 1st Battalion Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers (two copies) Award of the Medal of St George (3rd class) from the Emperor (sic) of Russia to Private Robert Morrow Short resume of Private Morrow's life

25.07.1918
In Memoriam card for Private Arthur Alexander Burgess, son of Mr & Mrs W.A. Burgess, killed in France
Page from The Cyclopedia of New Zealand with an entry and photograph outlining the life of Major Arthur Morrow up to the year 1900
Jan 1901 Illustration of the Campbell Champion Challenge Belt, an award for marksmanship won by Lieutenant Arthur Morrow on three occasions in 1866, 1867 & 1868. Sent to Capt. Morrow by Eogan Campbell
Certificate for Military Pension of £3 beginning 1st November 1913 for Colonel Arthur Morrow. Payment stamps on back
Torn section of a letter from the Lieut. Colonel Staff N.Z. forces, Ret. (context unclear)

Folder No. 3
Early Māori Contacts
09.03.1914 Letter with an invitation to be present at the unveiling of the Ōrākau Pā Monument