By the outbreak of war in 1914, the Legion of Frontiersmen strength in New Zealand was around 1200. The first commandant was Capt. John Cook, but the leading light for many years was E D'Esterre, of the Auckland Weekly News, who was also a personal friend of Driscoll. A keen helper was F.M. Twistleton, who organized the Frontiersmen in the Poverty Bay district.

On August 14th, 1914, Capt. Twistleton, M.C., of "C" Squadron, Gisborne, who was later killed in Palestine in July 1918, led 100 fully equipped men and horses from Poverty Bay Gisborne to Trentham Military Camp (Wellington) where they joined the Otago Rifles after an unsuccessful attempt to serve as a Legion Unit; 92 of them are buried in foreign lands. Twistleton was a typical Frontiersman, quiet and reserved, respected and liked by his comrades.)

An offer was made to the N.Z. Government of hundreds of Frontiersmen, fully equipped with reserves and with a ship's crew. All that was needed was a ship, arms and ammunition. The N.Z. Government politely declined. Nevertheless, large numbers of Frontiersmen volunteered individually and it is their proud boast that of seven First War V.C.'s awarded to New Zealanders, five were members of the Legion of Frontiersmen at some time or other.

1935 Palmer, Pocock and Findlater, New Zealand Commandant

That War took a toll of members and it took years for the Legion to re-build its strength. The most famous Frontiersman between the Wars was probably C.T. Ulm, the long-distance flier who flew with Kingsford-Smith and also on a number of his own record flights.

In the Second War, Frontiersmen served everywhere overseas and meetings and reunions of members were held in the Western Desert. In New Zealand Frontiersmen were prominent in the Home Guard.. Since 1945 the Legion of Frontiersmen has continued in strength and nowadays is probably the strongest and most vibrant Command anywhere in the world.

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