“My blood began to stir when a seaman-boy, Bill Crozier, came home to Eltham on his first leave, sporting a highly polished bugle on a red sash cord… all of which took my eye and imagination.” - Wally Ware 

Leading Seaman Walter (Wally) Ware (1919-2011) (NZD1966) was a dedicated sailor in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) during World War II. With the help of his son Darryl Ware, we are privileged to share Wally’s story in his own words. These memories provide a window into Wally’s life, ranging from his earliest interest in the sea and his experiences on active service, to coded communications with family and even unlikely celebrity encounters. Wally’s account embodies the resilience and ingenuity of this remarkable era as he bore witness, and participated, in some of history’s most defining moments. 

Download Wally Ware’s full wartime reminiscences here.

Prewar adventures and Naval calling 

“My interest in the sea progressed from canoeing in the vast drainage system of the Ngaere Swamp... to the famous waterchute where I acquired water thrills, if not water skills.”

Wally’s journey to the Navy began with adventures in the waters around his home, including Eltham Town Creek, the Waingongoro River, and the lake at Ngaere Gardens. Despite a nearly disastrous first sea voyage in a fishing launch named Reliance which left them “balancing their ship on an uncharted rock for a few worrying moments,” Wally remained undaunted in his curiosity about the ocean. This passion was further ignited when seaman-boy Bill Crozier returned home on leave in the late 1930s, prompting Wally to make “the initial moves to join the Andrew (Navy)…” Wally vividly recounts his reactions to hearing of the sinking of the SS Athenia by U-30 off the coast of Ireland, and the Battle of the River Plate, which was "progressively broadcast during the long hours between 6am and 9pm" on December 12th, 1939.  Motivated by these events, he tried to enlist in the Navy the next day and even joined the Army as a precaution, just in case he wasn't accepted. He was eventually summoned from Waiouru Camp to the HMS Philomel for an interview, and on 15 June 1940, Wally signed on to what would become six years of Naval service that took him across the North Sea and Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.  

Early service 

After receiving initial training on HMS Philomel, affectionately referred to as “Philly”, Wally remembers his first official assignment with clarity. Two days into his naval service, Wally found himself caught up in the chaos of service on an active navy ship as HMNZS Achilles was dispatched to urgently assist survivors from the trans-Pacific liner, Niagara, off Bream Head, North Auckland. Wally and his fellow “sprog seamen,” with only one day experience under their belts, navigated the instructions to “check the forward spring” but when their Lieutenant bellowed to let it go, “so “let it go” we did.  Soon that very heavy very long wire was draped along the starboard side of Achilles, reaching perhaps to those turning props, or beyond.” This misunderstanding resulted in Wally and his fellow seamen being “put in the rattle” alongside receiving a strict lecture on the complexities of nautical terms.

Despite this misdemeanour, Wally was sworn into the Navy shortly afterwards and he soon found himself serving as a Topman, washing decks, paintwork, and chipping rust daily. Upon qualifying for Able Seaman, Wally was promptly offered training as a Seaman-Torpedoman (S.T.) and was attached to HMNZS Achilles after making the grade. During his time on the HMNZS Achilles he was stationed in the ‘High Power Party’ which serviced the ship’s lighting and heating, though Wally’s time in the Pacific was cut short “when a Jap[anese] bomb blew the top and some sides off the X Turret.” Unfortunately, this was not Wally’s last encounter with tragedy while stationed on the HMNZS Achilles, as on 22 June 1943, during the refit, a welding gas explosion killed 29 sailors and left 60 wounded. This was a deeply saddening event for Wally and his crewmates as Achilles had played a significant role during World War II, including participating in the Battle of the River Plate which had originally motivated Wally to join the navy. The HMNZS Achilles was not simply a formidable warship, but also a home for these seamen who shared a strong sense of camaraderie and duty. Life on the HMNZS Achilles had been a mix of routine duties, rigorous training, and moments of respite where sailors forged lasting bonds. 

Special encounters: Vera Lynn in Brighton 

Wally was then selected for advanced training at HMS Vernon (R), which had been temporarily established at the Roedean School for Girls for the duration of the war. Here he was trained to become a Leading Torpedo Operator, which he describes as the peak of his naval career. However, during this time he also found himself in the rather unusual situation of crossing paths with none other than Vera Lynn, the iconic singer known as "The Forces' Sweetheart." Each morning, in the quiet hours before dawn, Wally would set out for his classes and wait at a bus stop in Brighton. Vera Lynn, returning home from her nightly performances at the Brighton Hippodrome, where she lifted the spirits of countless servicemen with her songs, found herself at the same bus stop. These regular meetings became a moment of respite and normalcy for Wally, as they shared brief conversations under the still-dark sky.

Decades later, when Wally shared these memories with his son, Darryl, it inspired a remarkable reunion. As a radio journalist, Darryl set out to reconnect Wally and Dame Vera through a long-distance phone call, facilitated by Fresh FM in Nelson, sponsored by the State Cinema, and supported by broadcasting colleague Peter Fry in Wellington. After obtaining Dame Vera’s permission, the call was arranged, bringing together two voices from a shared past. Though she did not recall Wally specifically, she warmly remembered her time in Brighton and her deep connection to the servicemen who were part of her audience.

The recording, a moving testament to the power of memory and music, captures a Golden Moment in radio. It reflects the enduring impact of wartime camaraderie, the morale-boosting role of artists like Dame Vera Lynn, and Wally’s personal recollections of his naval service—including a chilling moment when German bombers roared low over Roedean, narrowly missing a gathering of Allied torpedo experts. The original interview concludes fittingly with We’ll Meet Again, a song indelibly linked to Dame Vera and the wartime generation she comforted.

Click the link below to listen to the phone call.

Listen

HMNZS Gambia 

While his experience aboard the HMNZS Achilles was vital to Wally’s early career and shaped his identity as a naval serviceman, it is his time on HMNZS Gambia that features most prominently in his 7,000 words of reminiscences. HMNZS Gambia was a key asset in the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II, and the ship’s actions ranged from convoy escorts in the volatile Atlantic waters to pivotal bombardments against Japanese forces in the Pacific. The HMNZS Gambia was critical in multiple theatres of war and the ship’s prominence in the war effort was a testament to the bravery and resolve of its crew, Wally included. 

Wally was transferred to the HMNZS Gambia on 22 September 1941 and despite the many joys he found in Brighton he recalls that, “we never forgot that there was a war on.” Shortly after commencing his service on the ship, Wally and the crew “took her south, arriving in Plymouth a few days after the brand-new [Royal Navy] cruiser [HMS] Charybdis on her first working voyage was set upon and sunk by German E-Boats. Therefore, we took her place waiting ‘on-the-busy,’ so to speak, for opportunities to come our way." Despite the high stakes of this position, Wally remembers this time with a particular fondness for Captain Mansergh who once took over Wally’s duties as a Air Defence Position, noting that “His leadership during such a tense time was reassuring and exemplified the resolve of our crew." Wally’s narrative is enriched by these personal interactions that provide a valuable insight into the camaraderie and friendship that was built during his service. Despite the many historic moments which feature throughout his story, it is these moments of genuine connection and admiration that remain at the forefront of Wally’s experience.  

The Pacific 

From 1941 to 1943, HMNZS Gambia was heavily involved in European operations, providing convoy escorts and engaging enemy aircraft and U-boats. However, as the war in the Pacific intensified, the Gambia was redeployed and shortly they “scurried through the Mediterranean, by then a reasonably safe sea to venture in, fuelling en-route at Gibraltar, Alexandria, and perhaps elsewhere on our way to Colombo. The strategic importance of these operations was not lost on us, and every crew member felt the weight of our mission."  

Wally’s time in the Pacific resulted in one of the most defining moments of his naval career as he bore witness to the historic moment in which Japan formally surrendered on 2 September 1945. HMNZS Gambia had sailed to Japan to ensure the coast was clear for the USS Missouri's entry into Tokyo Harbour, a precursor to the formal surrender of the Japanese forces and a mission that underscored New Zealand’s significant role in the global conflict. Wally recalls that, “Watching the surrender ceremonies from the deck of the Gambia was profoundly moving, symbolizing the culmination of our efforts and the beginning of peace."

Coded communications: The Ware family enigma code

His cryptographic ingenuity extended beyond these subtle cues. Drawing from his past employment at Moller’s Garage in Hāwera, he adapted their pricing code, reversing the keyword “STUDEBAKER” to create “REKABIDUTS” as a key for encoding numbers. The placement of letters within his paragraphs determined numerical values. If the first line of the first paragraph began with the letter ‘A,’ it represented the number 4. If the first line of the second paragraph began with ‘U,’ the number was 8, meaning a latitude of 48°. The same pattern applied to longitude. A paragraph beginning with ‘E’ indicated the number 2, and if the next paragraph started with ‘T,’ the second longitude figure was 9, forming a coordinate of 29°.

By applying this method, Wally’s parent's and wife Ruby could decipher his precise location while misleading potential military censors or enemy code-breakers. Their shared understanding of the code strengthened their connection, offering a lifeline across oceans. Through these encrypted messages, Wally ensured that even in the midst of war, his presence could still be felt at home.

Return home

After years at sea, Wally’s long-awaited return was captured in the Weekly Review newsreel #220, as the HMNZS Gambia arrived at the Devonport Naval Base, Auckland, on 30 October 1945, marking the end of its wartime service in the Pacific. The moment of homecoming was filled with anticipation and relief as families gathered on the docks, eagerly awaiting their loved ones.

The newsreel shows three sailors reuniting with loved ones. Wally appears second, stepping off the gangway and sweeping off his cap before embracing his wife, Ruby, in a passionate kiss. Also present were his parents, Alf and Ettie Ware, his brother Kelvin, and his young sons—three-year-old Darryl and seven-week-old Ross.

Post-War life 

After his war time service, Wally transitioned to farming and applying the discipline and ingenuity he had developed at sea. In 1946, he and his wife Ruby settled in Mangamingi, where he purchased a 212-acre farm and, with the support of the local community, transformed it into a productive dairy and sheep farm (Ware, c. 2012). A resourceful and forward-thinking farmer, Wally was among the first in the valley to implement aerial topdressing, use a hay baler, and build one of New Zealand’s earliest herringbone cowsheds. His knack for problem-solving led him to design and construct durable farming structures, including heavily reinforced concrete fence posts that continue to challenge landowners today (Ware, c. 2012).

Beyond the farm, Wally played an active role in the Mangamingi community, contributing to local projects such as the school pool and Lake Rotokare conservation efforts (Ware, c. 2012). In 1966, he moved to Whanganui, continuing his legacy of innovation and community involvement. Despite leaving the valley, his heart remained in the Mangamingi hills.

Wally died in 2011, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to both his country and community.

Ngā mihi

Ngā mihi nui to Darryl Ware for generously sharing his father's reminiscences. Your willingness to share these memories ensures that Wally’s remarkable experiences and service will be preserved and honoured for generations to come.

Our sincere thanks also go to Fresh FM Nelson and The Estate of Dame Vera Lynn for granting permission to reproduce the radio recording. This recording is a treasured piece of history, connecting past voices with present listeners.

We appreciate your support in bringing Wally’s story to life.

References: 

• Harker, Jack S. HMNZS Gambia. Tauranga, N.Z: Moana Press, 1989. Print. 

• Janet Haldane Old Oral Histories, Walter (Wally) Alfred Ware - Puke Ariki (ARC2004-1720)

• Ware, Darryl (c.2012). Walter (Wally) Ware (1919–2011): Resident Farmer 1946–1966. Plaque displayed at Mangamingi Hall, Taranaki, New Zealand.

• Ware, Wally (n.d.). Wally Ware’s military autobiography [Manuscript]. Darryl Walter (Ed.). Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph.