The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST." Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1945. SIR BERNARD FREYBERG’S APPOINTMENT

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1945, Page 4

The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST." Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1945. SIR BERNARD FREYBERG’S APPOINTMENT

THE announcement that Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg is to succeed Sir Cyril Newall as Governor-General of New Zealand will have the universal approval of the people of the Dominion. The Government’s selection of this distinguished soldier, whose record is probably unique in the annals of war and peace, and his acceptance of the exalted position are indeed matters upon which New Zealanders may congratulate themselves. To all intents and purposes, Sir Bernard Freyberg is a New Zealander, for though England was his birthplace, he was only two years of age when his parents brought him to Wellington, where he spent his boyhood and was educated. Possessor of great physique he became an outstanding figure in the athletic, particularly the swimming, world. Adopting the profession of dentistry, he practised at Hamilton. The spirit of the soldier, however, dominated his being, and those who knew him best were not surprised when they heard that he was fighting in Mexico, where he had joined the guerilla army of Pancho Villa. The outbreak of the first World War hurried him from Mexico to England, where he commenced in earnest the career which was to bring him worldwide fame. For epic bravery and resource at Gallipoli he was awarded the D.S.O. Later, when a colonel fighting in France, he won the greatest of all military honours, the V.C., which followed an outstanding exploit of heroism and leadership. These decorations were accompanied by narrow escapes from death, the gallant soldier being wounded on several occasions. Emerging from the war as one of its prominent figures* Brigadier-General Freyberg, in command of a brigade, later joined the British Army and was posted to the Grenadier Guards. Becoming a Major-General, and anticipating useful service as a high-ranking officer, he was distressed when ordered to retire on the' grounds of heart trouble. But the big-hearted athlete and soldier was destined to play a great part in the biggest of all wars in the world’s history. It was General Freyberg’s association with the N.Z.E.F., which has made so popular his selection as Governor-General of the Dominion. Unnecessary is it to recount all that happened during six years of fighting, in which General Freyberg led the Second New Zealand Division in North Africa, in Greece and Crete and in Italy. Immortal fame has been won by New Zealanders. It has been publicly acknowledged by all who have a right to claim authority for the expression of opinion, that the New Zealand fighting man was second to none, and that his sacrifices and achievements played a decisive role at supreme moments of the war. At their head was the great leader who, bravery personified* not only directed operations in the field, sustaining dangerous wounds while doing so, but took the keenest interest in the troops’ . welfare when the fighting was over. Everybody admires a brave man. It is literally true that members of the N.Z.E.F., who went with General Freyberg in dark days as well as days when the sun was shining brightly, are unqualified in admiration of their leader. They will share the reflected glory of his career, and regard his appointment as Governor-General as a symbol of the Empire’s gratitude to the fighting men of New Zealand. That General Freyberg and his wife, who played a great role by her devotion to the welfare of New Zealand troops during the war in the Middle East, will receive an enthusiastic reception when they arrive in the Dominion early next year, need not be said: It is indeed a matter for gratification that such a distinguished soldier should follow a distinguished airman who was largely responsible for the creation of a Royal Air Force which, in the days of Britain’s greatest peril, did that which was immortalised by Mr. Churchill when he said: “In the annals of history never was so much done by so few for so many.” New Zealand has been fortunate to number among its occupants of Parliament House men who have been famous in their own branches of national service. Not the least of these is Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C.