BRIGADIER INCUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 13

BRIGADIER INCUS

SUMMONED TO LONDON ADVICE ON LESSONS OF CRETE The New Zealand officer to whom Mr Churchill referred in his speech on Tuesday as going to England to advise how thie lessons of Crete may be applied to the defence of Britain is believed to be Brigadier L. M. Inglis. of Timaru. , Mr Churchill, in the debate in the House of Commons 'on the Battle of Crete, declared: “ Every effort will be made to profit from the lessons of Crete in the defence of this island, Officers who were in the thickest of the fighting and in responsible positions including a New Zealand brigadier, are already approaching this country. Our staff in the Middle East are also reporting at length, and all this material will be examined by the General Staff here.” Distinguished Career Generally regarded as the outstanding machine-gun officer in the Dominion. Brigadier Inglis shortly after the outbreak of war was appointed to command the 27th Machine Gun Battalion. and proceeded overseas with the First Echelon. Beginning his military service as a cadet at the Waitaki Boys’ High School. Brigadier Inglis was commissioned in 1912. when still with the cadets. On leaving school he joined the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment Brigadier Inglis saw extensive war service, beginning in 1915 with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. He commanded what was then the machine gun section of this unit, and was later second-in-command of A Company, under the recent Officer Commanding the Southern Military District (Colonel P. H. Bell. D. 5.0.) as company commander. Awarded Military Cross For conspicuous work in clearing Fleurs village during the battle of the Somme in 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross. Brigadier Inglis returned to New Zealand as a major in 1919. Aftei seven years’ service with the Ist Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and appointed to command the x-egiment in 1926. He was posted to the x - eserve in 1930. but returned later to command the 3rd New Zealand Infantry Brigade with the rank of colonel. He served in that capacity until again posted to the reserve in ,1936. ' Brigadier Inglis was appointed an A.D.C. to the GovernortGeneral in 1935. His decorations include the Military Cross. 1914-15 Star. General Service Medal. Victory Medal. Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration and Long and Efficient Service Decoration.