NEW G.O.C

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 149, 21 December 1923, Page 8

NEW G.O.C

GENERAL CHAYTOR RETIRING

COLONEL MELVILL PROBABLE SUCCESSOR.

i It is announced that Major-General Sir E. W. C. Chaytor, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Defence Forces, who will complete his term of appointment shortly, will retire early in the New Year. General Chaytor, who is one of New Zealand's most famous soldiers and greatly distinguished himself in the Great War, is a son of Mr. J. 0. Chaytor, of Marshlands, Marlborough, and became identified with the Marlborough Mounted Kifles, being appointed captain in 1892. He served in the South African War from 1900 to 1902, being in charge of the Third New Zealand Contingent from 19th to 26th May, 1900, when he was severely wounded, and in command of the Second Regiment, Bth New Zealand Contingent, from 3,9 th March, 1902. He was mentioned in ' despatches, and was awarded the Queen's Medal with piree clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. Upon his return from the war he filled the position of Assistant Adju-tant-General to the New Zealand Defence Forces, and later went to England, where he passed the Staff College course at Camberley. In December, 1910, he was appointed Officer in Command of the Wellington Military District, with headquarters at Palmerston North—a position which he held until 16th July, 1914, when he was appointed AdjutantGeneral to the New Zealand Defence Forces. He had only held this latter post for a few weeks when the Great War broke out, and he joined the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force, as Assistant Adjutant-General, sailing in October, 1914. He served with the N.Z.E.F. in Egypt and on Gallipoli, where he was wounded. In 1915 he received the C.B. for his services, and in 1916 the C.M.G. When Major-General Sir A. H. Russell was given command of the new. ly-formed New Zealand Division in Egypt, Colonel Chaytor, with.the rank of Brigadier-General, took over the command of the New Zealand. Mounted Rifles Brigade, which was incorporated in the Anzac Mounted Division, under Major-General Chauvel, the distinguished Queensland soldier. He led the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in all ■ the battles which were fought in the Sinai Desert, and also in "The Promised Land." In April, 1917, when General Chauvel was promoted to a higher post, the New Zealand cavalry leader succeeded him in the command of the Anzac Mounted Division, and was given the rank of Major-General. General Chaytor led the Division throughout the remaining period oE the war, specially distinguishing himself in the Jordan Valley campaign and in frequent excursions into the Land of Moab. In May, 1918, ; General Chaytor was knighted for his services. He further distinguished himself in the final phase of the war with Turkey, when he advanced eastward of ,the Jordan, and cutting off.the retreat of the enemy, duly received its surrender with all its staff,j personnel, guns, and equipment. * After' the Armistice with Turkey was arrived at, General Chaytor

returned to Egypt, where he supervised the demobilisation of the. New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. This completed, he paid a short visit.to England before returning to New Zealand. He was appointed General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Defence Forces in December, 1919, and has continued to hold this position ever since. -It is understood that General Chaytor, Lady Chaytor, and the Misses Chaytor, will leave for England in-April of next year. COLONEL MELVILL'S CAREER. '. It is generally understood that on the retirement of General Chaytor, the appointment of General' Officer Commanding the New Zealand Defence Forces will be conferred on Colonel U. W. Melvill, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., officer commanding Central Command, who is the next senior officer of the New Zealand Staff Corps. Colonel Melvill, who is also recognised as one of New Zealand's most brilliant soldiers, is the youngest son of the late Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill, V.C., 24th Regiment, and was born on sth September, 1878.. He was educated at Welling-

ton College, and chose a military career, receiving his commission in the South Lancashire Regiment in 1897. He left as captain and adjutant in 1906. He joined the New Zealand Staff Corps in 1911, and his ability being recognised, was sent to staff college, Camberley, where he graduated with honours. On the outbreak of the Great War he rejoined his old regiment, the': "South [Lanes," and went with the "old con- , temptibles" to France in August, 1914. i He was wounded in the fighting a month ■later, and in January, 1915, received the important appointment of chief instructor of School of Instruction, Western Command. From May to September, 1915, he was Brigade Major of the Tay Defences, and in the latter month joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on Gallipoli as general staff offii cer. He participated in the evacuation, and was then appointed brigade major, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. Egypt. He then received command of ■ the 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, and proceeded with it to the Western Front. In June, 1917, he was promoted to the command of the New ■ Zealand Infantry Brigade with the rank |of Brigadier-General, and commanded it ■ with special distinction until the end of the war, and also during the period the ! New Zealand Division formed part of the Army of Occupation. On returning to T^ew Zealand., Colonel Melvill was api pointed officer commanding Central Command with headquarters at Palmerston I North.