Malcolm Galloway

Malcolm Scott Galloway (7 May 1887 – 19 July 1978) was a New Zealand soldier, author, and politician. He was a founder and early leader of the New Zealand Red Cross, leading the organisation for 41 years.

Biography Early life and career Galloway was born in Picton in 1887 and was educated at Thorndon School and Banks' Community College. He worked for the firm Sargood, Son & Ewen from 1906 to 1911 and the Thomson Bros, in London from 1911 to 1913. In 1915 he married Margaret McBean. Starting in his youth Galloway was an enthusiastic swimmer. He was a member of a winter swimming group at the Te Aro baths known as the Polar Bear Club for 50 years, a group which once included future Governor-General Bernard Freyberg. Galloway also took interest in surf life-saving and was a vice-president of the Maranui Surf Club.

Galloway enlisted in the army during World War I and left New Zealand as a sergeant in the 5th reinforcements. While stationed in Egypt he was promoted to a commissioned officer. He then took part in the Gallipoli campaign. Afterwards, as a second lieutenant, he was posted to the western front where he was awarded the Military Cross for valour in 1917.

Galloway began a long association with the Red Cross movement in his role at the Defence Department. He was in charge of vocational and educational training throughout the North Island for sick and wounded servicemen. The Red Cross supplied money for the purchase of occupational training equipment to assist Galloway in his role. 1919 saw the League of Red Cross Societies constituted to ensure the continuation of Red Cross activities during peacetime. It was decided to establish a Red Cross society in every country in the world. Galloway supported New Zealand doing so and it was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the charter. Initially, the society in New Zealand was then a branch of the British Red Cross Society but in 1931 the New Zealand Red Cross society was reconstituted and became a body in its own right. Galloway had previously been secretary-treasurer of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross and became secretary general of the New Zealand Red Cross at its inception. He held the role until his retirement in 1960. He was appointed a member of the city council in 1943 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of William Duncan. His appointment was controversial as Charles Chapman was expected to be awarded the vacated seat owing to being the highest polling unsuccessful candidate at the 1941 election not on the council. Despite Galloway not having contested the previous election, he was appointed by the city council to fill the vacancy. He was critical of the government decision for there to be electricity restrictions, even complaining on the record in a council meeting about the council building water-heaters being turned off on winter evenings. At the 1950 election the Citizens' Association had an embarrassing selection row with several incumbents (including Galloway) were dumped from the ticket. They stood regardless as an independent ticket, but Galloway was defeated.

Galloway was also a member of the Wellington Hospital Board for two short spells. He was a member from February 1947 to November 1947 and again from December 1948 to November 1950.

Later life and death Galloway died in Christchurch on 19 July 1978, aged 91. He was survived by two sons and one daughter.