GENERAL FREYBERG

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1942, Page 3

GENERAL FREYBERG

K.C.B. AWARDED

ACHIEVEMENTS OF NX TROOPS

It was announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr, Fraser) that, on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, his Majesty the King had been graciously pleased to confer the honour of K.C.B. on LieutenantGeneral Sir, Bernard Freyberg, . General Officer. Commanding the Second New Zealand Division, in recognition of the supreme gallantry and excellent achievements of the New Zealand troops and their commander in the opening stages of the recent operations. "The grant of this high honour will, I know," said Mr. Fraser, "give the greatest satisfaction and pleasure both to the people of the Dominion and to the officers and men of the Second IN.Z.E.F., whom General Freyberg has led with such distinction and ability during nearly three years of strenuous activity. "The award has been gazetted in London today, and I have sent to General Freyberg on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand a message of heartiest congratulations."

Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., X.C.8., D.S.O. with two bars, was born in London in 1890 arid educated at Wellington College in this country. He has made a reputation for himself both as a soldier and an athlete. His V.C. and D.S.O. were won in the war of 1914-18. At the end of the war he was a lieu-tenant-colonel ;in the West Surrey Regiment and later joined the Grenadier Guards. In 1931 he was Assistant Quartermaster-General, Southern Command, and in 1933 received a General

Staff • appointment. He was promoted major-general in 1934, and was the flrstr nlan to rise from a temporary wartime commission to that rank in the-British. Army. He retired in 1937, but'-was appointed General Officer Commanding; the Second N.Z.E.F. at the end.of 1939. He .was placed in command of aIL the '■■ Imperial Forces in ; the battle for .Crete and also commanded the Greek forces on the island.; After the/evacuation of Crete he resumed command of the New Zealand Division. ' In the New Year Honours this year he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British. Empire,, and in June was promoted to the ra.nk of lieutenantgeneral.