Major-General J. E. Duigan, C.B., D.S.O.

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 15, 21 March 1940, Page 2

Major-General J. E. Duigan, C. 8., D.S.O.

Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Military Forces

Major-General J. E. Duigan, C. 8., D. 5.0., who has been Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Military Forces since April, 1937, was born and educated in Wanganui. During the past 39 years he has had considerable experience in almost every branch of army work, and his career as a soldier on active service and in the Permanent Defence Forces of the Dominion has been distinguished. He was one of the youngest men to serve in the Boer War with the Second Brabant’s Horse and the Second Kitchener’s Scouts. After two years’ active service in the ranks of these units he was granted a commission in the 10th New Zealand Contingent. On returning from South Africa he joined the Permanent Forces and was appointed a cadet in January, 1903. In September, 1905, he received his commission and held the rank of Lieutenant until 1909 when he was promoted Captain.

Following special courses in Field Engineering, Electric Lighting and Signalling in England, he passed the Entrance Examination for the Staff College at Quetta and proceeded to India, in December, 1912, for a period of two years.

On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Captain Duigan was appointed General Staff Officer, 3rd grade, with the N.Z.E.F. and embarked from Colombo on the 15th November, 1914. In January, 1915, he was promoted to the rank of Major and appointed Officer Commanding the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps, and served in that capacity until January, 1917. He served as General Staff Officer, . 3rd Grade, at the Divisional Headquarters of the N.Z.E.F. before being promoted to General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, Sixth Army Corps, British Armies in France. From July 17th to December, 1917, he acted as General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, to the New Zealand Infantry Reserve Brigade, and for the next three months he held the position as instructor at the Senior Officers’ School at Aidershot. He was awarded the D.S.O. in 1917 and mentioned in despatches.

His next ass ig nmen t was an appointment from the War Office for special work in the United States. He returned to New Zealand at the end of 1918 and was given the position of Chief Infantry Instructor at Featherston Camp. In 1919 he was promoted Lieut.-Colonel and appointed General Staff Officer or the Auckland district where he won distinction as an outd e was , * PP ° inted O.C. Northern Command in Fn f 1936PcolnnpT n n P romoted t° the rank of Colonel in April, 1931. de Camp (additional n-® b ~ ed b y be ing appointed Aideyear received iheo’deroTc ftS S t" d the wto Ts and appointed ■ng, which has* become great specialised in military engineertion of the Army great importance since the mechamza-