Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Charles and Margaret MOLLOY

NEWS OF THE DAY.
STRIKING ANZAC DAY EPISODE.
When the call for men to defend the Empire was most insistent, many an old soldier, who had already "done his bit" once more proffered his services to his country. Such a one  was Peter Molloy, formerly a sergeant in that grand old regiment, the Royal Highlanders, better known as the 42nd, or the Black Watch. Peter had seen more active service than the average man. Starting in 1882, he had four years' continuous fighting in Egypt. Then he was "warring at a later day" in India, and subsequently earned the King's and Queen's  medals for his services in the Boer war. And, when he retired from the army, it was with that award that all old soldiers are justifiably proud to possess, the Long Service  and Good Conduct Medal.
When Great Britain took up the cudgels for right in defiance of might, Peter Molloy, the Scotch sergeant with an Irish name, put back the clock so far as his age was concerned,  offered his services, and was accepted for the Expeditionary Force. It did not matter to him that two of his sons had already enlisted. There was room for him and thousands more. Peter left for the land of the Pyramids, where he had already spent some years of campaigning, and in due course landed at Gallipoli. The good luck that had stood him in  good stead in previous wars deserted him, he was badly wounded; and, in due course, was returned to Australia. As a result of his injuries it was found necessary to amputate both his legs. But the loss of his limbs has not weakened his spirits, for on Friday he was well enough to take part in the procession. Peter has a little carriage in which, by means  of an ingenious arrangement, he is able to propel himself. Five of his comrades in the South Australian Corps of Veterans on Friday acted as a guard of honour for the gallant old  Royal Scot, and took it in turns to wheel the carriage. It occupied a position immediately behind the charabanc that conveyed the veterans, and the old soldier, his breast covered  with medals, was greeted with rounds of cheers all along the line of march.

A well-known member of the Corps of Veterans, Sergeant Peter Molloy, formerly of the Black Watch, died in Adelaide a few days ago as the result of injuries received in the landing at Gallipoli where he served with the 10th Battalion. He was a native of Scotland and joined the Black Watch at Edinburgh, was engaged in the Egyptian war of 1882-6, earned the Egyptian medal with clasps for Tel-el-Kebir and the Nile, and the Khedive's star. He served in the Boer war, was awarded the King's and Queen's medals, with several clasps and on his retirement from the army, received a long service and a good conduct medal. He was at Broken Hill when the world's war broke out and enlisted in the 10th Battalion. He was severely wounded at Gallipoli, and as the result of his injuries it was subsequently found necessary to amputate both legs. Two of his sons and a stepson fought in the same war. Sergeant Molloy was awarded the Gallipoli star, the British war medal, and Victory medal. He was a fine type of soldier, and was buried with military honours.

A VETERAN'S FUNERAL.
From "WESTERNER":—Sgt. Peter Molloy passed away—or rather "passed on," on Monday last, and on Tuesday afternoon he was laid to rest in the soldiers' cemetery at West  Terrace, with semi-military honours. This well-known figure of a very brave soldier has gone from our midst; for who did not know "Peter Molloy" by sight, at least? Seated in his  chair his breast covered with medals, on any special occasion he was a distinguished figure, and a marked personality. "A real soldier" I have heard returned men say of him, and  a hero of many battles in the past. Not withstanding this, or perhaps because of this, once again in 1914, he offered himself for active service with his sons—no need surely for  Sgt. Peter Molloy to go, when there were so many younger men who could more easily be spared, but this was not the point—it was a case of "the straight path of honour and of  duty," and he answered that call; and to the end he remained a fighter, for his battles did not end at Gallipoli, where his sad injuries were received. His friends tell how he bore his  martyrdom with a smiling face, and how every one knew and loved Peter Molloy. Surely a great record, his whole life, for any man; and something better worth leaving  behind than millions. I was present at his funeral, and was struck by the intense reverence of all the returned men, some of whom were his comrades-in-arms of the 10th Battalion. I would like to express the appreciation, which I know they feel, for the work that is being done in the A.I.F. Cemetery—that green enclosure set apart for our fighting  men, of whom Sgt. Peter Molloy is so shining an example, and of whom it may well be said, "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." 

When Peter Molloy, late 10th Battalion died on January 16th, 1922 in Adelaide, South Australia he was a respected citizen. His former commanding officer, Brigadier-General Weir [formerly 10th Btn] was in attendance at the funeral. Molloy had been a Drummer Boy at Alexandria [1882] and had served in Egypt in 1882-1886, the Second Boer War 1899-1902 and had been discharged with the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He had another crack in 1914 when he enlisted into ‘H’ Company, 10th Battalion in August 1914 - his previous experience saw him appointed Corporal, then Sergeant in Egypt though he reverted to Private shortly afterwards. He landed on April 25th and he lost a leg and use of an arm in May 1915 due to an explosive round. He was invalided home and discharged. He lost another leg in 1919 still due to those wounds.

The truth is - he was born Patrick Molloy in 1866; deserted from the Royal Scot Fusiliers in 1900 after serving a decade in the 93rd Highlanders [Militia] as a Corporal and came to Australia in c.1911 where he became a miner at Broken Hill - he had effectively abandoned his family in Scotland and remarried in Australia to a woman called Slavin [his step-children would adopt 'Slavin-Molloy']. He enlisted in August 1914 and listed his proper prior experience; 12 years in the 93rd Highlanders. His charade of service started in 1916 on a visit to Melbourne, evidenced by a photograph showing him wearing a full row of ribbons denoting service in the Sudan and Second Boer War. This charade seemed to have suited Molloy as it stood up for 6 years until he died. His story was believed by many, including General Birdwood, the Governors, etc.