COL. FREYBERG, V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 7

COL. FREYBERG, V.C.

Promotion Foreshadowed of Former New Zealander. RANK OF MAJOR-GENERAL. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 20.

The military correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" foreshadows the promotion of Colonel Bernard C. Freyberg, V.C., to the rank of Major-General.

Soldier, athlete and winner of the Victoria Gross for one or the most notable individual feats of the war, Colonel Freyberg was born in London in 1800, but was educated at Wellington College, New Zealand. He excelled ne a swimmer, oarsman, footballer and boxer, and later acquired fame throughout New Zealand and Australia in all these capacities, and especially as a swimmer. He lived for some time in the United States, until the spirit of adventure moved him to take part in the civil war in Mexico. He was fighting as a member of Villa's forces against Huerta when the World War broke out. Leaving at once for England, he joined the Naval Brigade, taking part in the landing of a British force at Antwerp and the subsequent withdrawal, being wounded. After serving in France, he went out with the rank of lieutenantcommander to Gallipoli with the naval force. For an exploit there he received the D.S.O.

Returning to France, he won the V.C. in 1916. An advance having been ordered, he took his force right through the enemy's front trenches. Terrific fire and imist caused disorganisation, but he rallied his men and collected men from other units who were near, led ithem on again, and, though wounded four times, held the position reached in spite of heavy inachine-gun fire throughout the day and the following night. The position thus taken formed the chief point of that section of the new British line..

At the end of the war he was a lieuten-ant-colonel in the West Surrey Regiment, and was awarded the C.M.6. Later lie joined the Grenadier Guards, but in February, 1929, was given the command of the Ist Manchester. In September of last year he was appointed a General Staff Officer, first grade, at the War Office. He made two attempts to swim the Channel, but on each occasion had to give up just short of success owing to trouble caused by one of his nine war wounds. Colonel Freyberg's father was well known in New Zealand as a forestry expert before the war.

OCEAN MAILS.

Roosevelt to Revise Present

Contracts.

SEQUEL TO REVELATIONS

NEW YORK, June 20. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times".says he learns that President Roosevelt's next session will completely revise the system of granting ocean mail contracts. Since the revelations made before the committee of the Senate no new contracts have been let and none extended. It is understood that the President is extremely exercised over figures which indicate that the Government paid about 100,000,000 dollars for the carrying of mails which at ordinary rates would not have exceeded 15,000,000 dollars. Of 43 contracts now in operation less than one-third are considered to be essential or necessary.