Walter D'Arcy Cresswell

Walter D'Arcy Cresswell (22 January 1896 – 21 February 1960) was a New Zealand poet, journalist and writer. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, to Hannah (née Reese) and Walter Joseph Cresswell, a solicitor. His elder brother was Douglas Cresswell later known as a writer. On leaving school (Christ's College, 1910–1912) Walter joined the Christchurch architectural firm of Collins and Harman. In mid 1914 Cresswell went to London to further studies at the Architectural Association, and in early 1915 enlisted as a private with the Middlesex Regiment. He was wounded in France in 1916, and after convalescence joined the Corps of New Zealand Engineers, serving from 1917 until the demobilisation of 1919.[1][2] He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Cresswell in 1921

Cresswell in 1948

Cresswell famously blackmailed Charles Mackay, then Mayor of Wanganui, by threatening to expose his homosexuality.[3] Shortly after their first meeting, Mackay shot and injured Cresswell. The mayor was convicted of attempted murder in 1920.[1]

Cresswell returned to London in 1921 where he spent most of the rest of his life although he retained his New Zealand links, and made several trips back home. In London he eked out a precarious existence while writing and died there in 1960. Volumes of his poems were published over the years – some in New Zealand.[1]

In August 1925 Cresswell married Emily Freda Dacie (the 'Freda' of several of his poems) in the Marylebone Register Office in London. The marriage was short-lived, although a son was born early the following year.[1]

Of Walter Cresswell it was said "He is not remotely the poet he believed himself to be, and, judged on his verse alone, would long have been forgotten".[3] In later life he was more simply known as "D'Arcy Cresswell".[note 1] For example, some of his letters were published as "The Letters of D'Arcy Cresswell" in 1971 by the University of Canterbury.