LIEUT.-COL FREYBERG, V.C.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17586, 27 March 1929, Page 7

LIEUT.-COL FREYBERG, V.C.

NEW CO., THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT,. Major and Battalion Lieutenantcolonel B. Freyberg, V. C, CM.G., D. 5.0., LL.D., Grenadier Guards has been selected for command of the Ist the Manchester Regiment, vice C. Stapleton, whoso tenude of command expii-ed on try 4. Lieutenant-colonel Freyberg, who commanded the Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division during a considerable period of the war. was awarded the Victoria Cross after the attack in November, 1916, ntorth of the Ancre River, "for most conspicuous bravery and brilliant 'leading as a battalion commander. He inspired all with his own contempt of danger," Lieutenant-colonel Freiberg was five times mentioned in despatches, received the brevets of Major and Lieu-tenant-colonel while his substantive rank was that of captain, and ,was awarded the D.S.O. and two bars, the 0.M.G., and the French Croix de Guerre. He was wounded six times. The D.S.O. was given first to him for "conspicuous gallantry" > on the Gallipoli Peninsula, when in April, 1915, he swam ashore at night and lit flares on the beach to distract at>n from the landing. His second bar to the decoration was gained in the last five minutes of the war). He led cavalry at Lessines in a to save a bridge, and, with nine men only, rushed a village on horseback, capturing the village and 104

prisoners two minutes before the armistice. New Zealanders will be gratified to hear of the latest honour conferred on one of their own wau- heroes.