Memorial Lt Gen Freyberg

Lieutenant-General Bernard Cyril Freyburg, 1st Baron Freyburg, VC GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO & 3 bars, KstJ. 21 March 1889-4 July 1963.
Freyburg, born in Britain, served in the British Army during the Gallipoli campaign and also on the Western Front during WW1 where he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
During the Second World war he commanded the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and fought in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy.

"Lord Freyberg V,C., G.C.M.G., K.C.B.,
K.B.E., D.S.O.
1889-1963
Commander of the Second New
Zealand Division 1939-1945
Governor-General of New Zealand
1946-1952
This memorial has been donated by
returned servicemen to the citizen of
metropolitan Auckland in appreciation
of their continuing generosity.

The citation from the London Gazette dated 15 December 1916 reads:

"For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander.

By his splendid personal gallantry he carried the initial attack straight through the enemy's front system of trenches. Owing to mist and heavy fire of all descriptions, Lieutenant Colonel Freyberg's command was much disorganised after the capture of the first objective. He personally rallied and re-formed his men, including men from other units who had become intermixed.

He inspired all with his own contempt of danger. At the appointed time he led his men to the successful assault of the second objective, many prisoners being captured.

During this advance he was twice wounded. He again rallied and re-formed all who were with him, and although unsupported in a very advanced position, he held his ground for the remainder of the day, and throughout the night, under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. When reinforced on the following morning, he organised the attack on a strongly fortified village and showed a fine example of dash in personally leading the assault, capturing the village and five hundred prisoners. In this operation he was again wounded.

Later in the afternoon, he was again wounded severely, but refused to leave the line till he had issued final instructions.

The personality, valour and utter contempt of danger on the part of this single Officer enabled the lodgement in the most advanced objective of the Corps to be permanently held, and on this point d'appui the line was eventually formed."

Bernard Freyburg is buried in St Martha's Churchyard, Chilworth, Surrey. His V.C. is held in private hands.

Freyburg led the parade of 84 Victoria Cross recipients that lined the nave of Westminster Abbey during the burial of the Unknown Warrior on 11 November 1920.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward (1, 2, 3, 4), Imperial War Museum London, via Wikimedia Commons (5)