A.D.C. TO THE KING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24836, 9 February 1942, Page 4

A.D.C. TO THE KING

APPOINTMENT OF; BRIGADIER PH. BELL The approval by his Majesty the King of the appointment of Brigadier P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., New Zealand Staff Corps, as aide-de-camp (additional) to the King, was announced last week by the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones. Brigadier Bell succeeds Major-general E. Puttick, D. 5.0., N.Z. Staff Corps, who, in accordance with the regulations governing the appointment, relinquished it on promotion to the rank of major-general. Mr Jones said that it was his Majesty's pleasure that one officer of the New Zealand Forces should hold tliis appointment as a mark of approbation for their service. Each of the other dominions were similarly represented. , Brigadier Bell was bom in Wanganui, and attended the Collegiate School from 1900 to 1904. He represented the school at both cricket and football; and from 1904 to 19/18 Was. prominent in football and rowing circles. ,;'lit 1914-15 he served with the Wellington and Auckland Regiments, and from 1915 to 1919 as captain, and later tenant-colonel, gave distinguished service with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade.

Brigadier Bell received; th,eu D. 5,0.-the-Croix de Guerre, arid was tioned three times in despatches.: In 1928-29 he served as officer commanding the Samoa Military Police, and before his present appointment to the command of the Northern ' Military District he held several staff appointments, including those of officer commanding the Southern Military District, quartermaster-general,, and Third Military Member of the Army Board. > .