Major-Gen. Freyberg’s Career

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 278, 24 November 1939, Page 8

Major-Gen. Freyberg’s Career

A DISTINGUISHED RECORD (By TelefTTaph— Pres» Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2b. The appointment of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., LI.D., to command the New Zealand Forces overseas has been approved by his Majesty the King. Major-General Bernard Freyberg wasi born in London in 1889. He went to New Zealand in 1891 and was educated at Wellington College. He first joined the 6th Hauraki Regiment, Auckland. He did not serve with the New Zealand troops during the war, but served with the British infantry from the beginning of the war to the Armistice. He served first at Antw-erp. then at Gallipoli and then in France as company and battalion commander of the Hood battalion of the Royal Naval Division. In April 1917 he was promoted to Brigadier-general in command of the

173rd Infantry Brigade. After being wounded at Passchendaele, he commanded the 88th Infantry Brigade of the 29th Division till the end of the war and was recommended by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig in 1918 as fit to command and train a division in the rear. He was wounded nine times and mentioned in despatches five times. He was awarded the D.S.O. at the landing at Gallipoli for swimming ashore at Bulair, and was awarded the V.C. during the Battle of Ancre in November 1916. He received a bar to the D.S.O. in the last Battle of Yprec In 1918 and a second bar to the D.S.O. -*uring the last ten minutes ot tne war for capturing a crossing over the Dendre at Lessines, in Belgium. He passed the staff college in 1919 and served as company commander of the Grenadier Guards, also as general staff officer of the Eastern Command from 1922 to 1926 and in 1928 and 1929 He commanded the first battalion of the Manchester Regiment from 1929 to 1931, and was assistant-quartermaster-general of the Southern Command from 1931 to 1933. He was general staff officer (first grade) from 1933 to 1934 and the War Office promoted him to major general in 1934.

On the outbreak of war in September last, he was appointed general officer commanding the Salisbury Plain area.