The Mulligans

The information below is from Sandy's Defence Force Personnel Record, from Archives NZ.

Biographical Details

According to his History-Sheet, his occupation was Dental Mechanic with Smith & Butler - Dentists, Invercargill, last New Zealand address was Invercargill, his religion was Anglican and his birth-date was 16 February 1894 in Dunedin.

His next of kin was listed as his brother Francis Humphrey Mulligan, c/- Smith & Laing, Winton, Southland.

His Attestation was dated 19 August 1914, at Dunedin. His birth-place was Dunedin, in 1894. His occupation is given as Dental Mechanic, last residing at 57 Eye St, Invercargill. He had passed the Fourth Educational Standard. His last employer is given as Smith & Butler, Dee Street Invercargill. He was not married. He was already a member of a Company in the Field Ambulance. He had already registered for military service at Invercargill.

His physical description is given as: 20 years 6 months, 5 foot 8 ½ inches, 138lbs, chest measuring 31 - 35 inches, Fair complexion, Brown eyes, Brown haired. His religious profession was Anglican. His vision and hearing were normal. He was classed as 'Fit'.

A second Attestation was dated 9 October 1914, at Lower Hutt. His birth-place was Dunedin, on 16 February 1894. His occupation is given as Dental Mechanic, last residing at 57 Eye St, Invercargill. He had passed the Fourth Educational Standard. His last employer is given as Smith & Butler, Dee Street Invercargill. He was not married. He was already a member of NZMC. He had already registered for military service at Invercargill.

This second physical description is given as: 20 years 6 months, 5 foot 8 inches, 140lbs, chest measuring 33 - 37 inches, Fair complexion, Light Brown eyes, Brown haired. His religious profession was Anglican. His vision and hearing were normal. He was classed as 'Fit'.

Service Details

Sandy's service number was 2/809. He was assigned to the New Zealand Medical Corps, at the rank of Lieutenant, and he began his service on 10 August 1914. He served 97 days in NZ, 4 years 192 days overseas, for a total of 4 years and 289 days.

• 10 August 1914 he service began in New Zealand
• From 16 October 1914 until 25 April 1919 his service was in 'Foreign'
• 4 December 1914 he was in Egypt
• 18 December 1915 appointed Acting Sergeant
• Promoted Sergeant 6 March 1916
• 15 April 1917 appointed Acting Staff Sergeant Major
• 24 April 1917 he joined 2nd New Zealand Field Ambulance
• Promoted to Warrant Officer First Class Staff Sergeant Major 1 April 1917
• 15 August 1918 appointed Lieutenant and appointed as Assistant Quartermaster, No. 1 NZ General Hospital.

The copy of his Will states that he has "already made a will which is in the custody of my brother Arthur William Mulligan of Haitaitai Wellington in New Zealand, Secretary"

He was finally discharged on 25 May 1919, having served in Egypt (1914-15-16), Egyptian Expeditionary Force (1916), and Western Europe (1916-17-18).

Awards

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the War Medal 1914-19, the Victory Medal, the Gallipoli Medallion, the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

London Gazette 26 November 1917

Citation: (France Mar 1917)
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of stretcher-bearers, and led parties forward to advanced posts under heavy fire, and repeatedly went out himself to look for wounded in the shell-holes. He inspired all under him by his utter fearlessness, and it was owing to his initiative and coolness under fire that many wounded were saved."

Cited by Alan J Polaschek, The Complete New Zealand Distinguished Conduct Medal. Medals Research Christchurch, Christchurch, 1983, p156:

Mulligan, Alexander Simpson,
2/89 staff Sergeant-Major,
No 2 Field Ambulance, NZ,
Medical Corps

Biographical Note:
2/809 Lt A.S. Mulligan, DCM, MM. Born at Dunedin NZ 16 Feb 1894. Dental mechanic. Attested 10 Aug 1914; embarked 16 Oct 1914; commissioned Lt 15 Aug 1918; returned 26 Apr 1919; posted Reserve 25 May 1919; relinquished commission 30 Sep 1920. Served with NZMC in Egypt and Western Europe.
Died.

Military Medal

Cited by: Wayne McDonald in Honours and Awards to the New Zealand expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918, published by Helen McDonald, Napier, 2001. p229:

Sergeant, No. 1 Field Ambulance, NZ Medical Corps, attached NZ Field Artillery
London Gazette 26 April 1917, p3949, Rec No 206

"During the operations on the Somme. On the 15th September, 1916, he proceeded through a heavy Barrage to collect wounded. He showed the other bearers a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice in the face of danger, and exhibited great initiative in bringing wounded back safely."