Story: Martial arts

The McLaglen system of bayonet fighting

The McLaglen system of bayonet fighting was published in 1915. In that year its author, Captain Leopold McLaglen, taught a bayonet course at Wellington College. In the 1920s he taught jiu-jitsu at schools in Auckland, Nelson and South Canterbury. He was described as 'a giant Scotch-Irishman' who claimed to be 'the most accomplished European in the science of jiu jitsu'. McLaglen's brother Victor was a champion boxer who became a Hollywood movie star.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: B-K 941-COVER; B-K 941-9; B-K 941-10; B-K 941-12

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Bronwyn Dalley, 'Martial arts - Martial arts to the 1970s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/39037/the-mclaglen-system-of-bayonet-fighting (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Bronwyn Dalley, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 27 Jan 2015