FREYBERG (OF WELLINGTON AND OF MUNSTEAD), BERNARD ...

born March 21, 1889, Richmond, Surrey, Eng. died July 4, 1963, Windsor, Berkshire also called (194251) Sir Bernard Cyril Freyberg commander in chief of the New Zealand forces in World War II and governor-general of New Zealand from 1946 to 1952. In 1891 Freyberg immigrated with his parents to New Zealand and was educated at Wellington College. He soldiered in the territorial army in New Zealand in 191112, and early in World War I he took part in the retreat from Antwerp and in the operations in Gallipoli. Later, in France, he fought in many of the fiercest battles and was awarded the Victoria Cross in December 1917. He was promoted to brigadier general at 27, then the youngest of that rank in the British army. He commanded the 29th Division in 191718. Freyberg was nine times wounded, and his bravery became legendary. Between the wars he held senior staff appointments and a command in England. In World War II, as major general, he commanded the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (193945) and commanded the Allied forces during the battle for control of Crete in 1941. Later in the war he fought in North Africa and in Italy under Montgomery and Alexander. In 1942 he received a knighthood. Freyberg in 1946 became governor-general of New Zealand, an appointment he held for six years. In 1951 he was created a baron.