1. Arthur Plugge worked as a teacher at Kings College in Auckland for a number of years before becoming headmaster at Dilworth Ulster Institute.
22 Facts About Arthur Plugge
1. 2.
Arthur Plugge was involved in the New Zealand Territorial Force and following the outbreak of the First World War, he volunteered to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
3.
Arthur Plugge commanded a battalion for several months on the Western Front.
4.
Arthur Plugge was relieved of his command in December 1916 and was the sports coordinator for the New Zealand Division for the remainder of the war.
5.
Arthur Plugge was born in Hull, England, on 18 February 1877.
6.
Arthur Plugge, he was educated at Elmfield College in York, he subsequently attended Leeds University.
7.
Arthur Plugge subsequently became headmaster at another Auckland school, Dilworth Ulster Institute.
8.
Arthur Plugge was actively involved in the Territorial Force, serving with the 3rd Auckland Regiment as a major.
9.
Arthur Plugge was not particularly popular as a commander, being regarded as an amiable but weak leader, and reportedly favoured the company drawn from his territorial regiment.
10.
Arthur Plugge's battalion arrived in Egypt on 3 December 1914 and from there were the first New Zealand troops to land at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915.
11.
Arthur Plugge was evacuated to Malta for medical treatment, and here he contracted malaria which necessitated his transfer to England for treatment.
12.
Arthur Plugge was again mentioned in despatches and appointed to the Order of St Michael and St George in October 1915, for his services during the Gallipoli campaign.
13.
In light of his Gallipoli service, Arthur Plugge was not returned to New Zealand.
14.
The commander of the NZEF, Lieutenant General Alexander Godley believed that Arthur Plugge became a negative influence within the New Zealand Division as a result of being overlooked for a brigade command.
15.
Regardless, it transpired that Arthur Plugge excelled in his new role.
16.
Russell recognised the importance of sport for the morale and well-being of the soldiers under his command and Arthur Plugge promoted participation in organised sporting events.
17.
Arthur Plugge remained in the position until he was discharged from the NZEF on 18 June 1918.
18.
On his return to New Zealand, Arthur Plugge took up dairy farming at Taupiri, near Huntly.
19.
Arthur Plugge maintained an involvement with the School Cadet Corps and the Boy Scouts.
20.
Arthur Plugge died on 2 July 1934 at the age of 57.
21.
Arthur Plugge was buried in Taupiri Cemetery with military honours with a number of notable former and current soldiers present, among them Major General George Spafford Richardson and Colonel John Evelyn Duigan.
22.
Arthur Plugge was survived by his wife, Millicent, and three children.