NEW ZEALAND FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 February 1939, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FORCES

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF .MAJOR-GENERAL DUIGAN S TERM EXTENDED I United Press A*«ccuii<»ol WELLINGTON, This Day. The appointment of Major-General J. E Duigan, (ML, D. 5.0.. as Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Military Forces lias been extended by Cabinet for a further year, it was announced last evening by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. Major-General Duigan’s term of service is due to expire on 31st March, and the extension will date from the beginning of April. He lias held bis present appointment since April, 1937. Major-General Duigan is a son of the late Mr James Duigan, who was a former editor of the “Wanganui Herald.” He was born and educated in Wanganui and was one of the youngest men tj serve in the Boer War, seeing service from 1900 to 1902. He joined the New Zealand Permanent Forces in 1903 and received his commission in 1905. Later lie

was appointed captain of the N.Z.S.C., and was in charge of the N.Z.E.F. TunT.eiJing Forces. In the Great War lie was mentioned in dispatches and decorated with the D.S.O. lie also holds the Queen’s Medal with four clasps. During the Great War Major-General Duigan was general staff officer at the headquarters of the Sixth British Army Corps in France. Late: he was on the General Staff of the New Zealand Infantry Reserve Brigade. He was also instructor at the Senior Officers’ School at Aldershot, and had a special appointment under the War Office for propaganda work in the United States of America in connection with the sale of Liberty Bonds. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the Northern Command with headquarters at Auckland in 1919. He became officer commanding the Northern Command ill 1930, and held that position ti'.l his appointment as Chief oT the General Staff in 1937.