English Māori Bernard Cyril Freyberg Born 21 March 1889 - Died 4 July 1963 PDF Key details Service number4006 AWMM Also known asTiny AWMM Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Last rankInter War Major General/Military AWMM British Army AWMM WW2 Lieutenant General/Military AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM WarRegular Military Service AWMM World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM Enquire Lay a poppy Portrait of Brigadier General Bernard Freyberg, Archives New Zealand, AALZ 25044 6 / F645 20. Image … View gallery Hide sources Show empty fields Identity About Contribute › Title ForenamesBernard Cyril AWMM SurnameFreyberg AWMM Ingoa Also known asTiny AWMM Service number4006 AWMM GenderMale AWMM Iwi Hapū Waka Rohe Religion Images and documents Images Contribute › Report › Documents Contribute › Civilian life About birth Contribute › Birth21 March 1889 AWMM Richmond, Richmond AWMM Date of birth Place of birth Birth notes Address before enlistmentPre 1914 AWMM Unknown AWMM Pre Nov 1939 AWMM Army Headquarters, Wellington, New Zealand AWMM Post war occupationGovernor-General of New Zealand/Civilian AWMM Governor-General of New Zealand 1946-1952 AWMM Government Official/Civilian AWMM Deputy Constable & Lieutenant Governor, Windsor Castle, UK AWMM Next of kin on embarkationMrs Julia Freyberg (mother), Wellington, New Zealand AWMM Mrs Barbara Freyberg (wife), London, England AWMM Relationship statusPre 1914 AWMM Single AWMM Pre 5 January 1940 AWMM Married AWMM Service Wars and conflicts Contribute › WarRegular Military Service AWMM World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM CampaignWorld War 2/wars AWMM France and Germany (TBC) AWMM Created during migration for ww2 records that were listed as western front and need to be corrected AWMM 1915-1916 Gallipoli AWMM Greece AWMM 1941 AWMM World War 2/wars AWMM Crete AWMM North Africa AWMM Italy AWMM Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Service number4006 AWMM Military serviceWellington College school cadets AWMM 6 (Hauraki) Regiment AWMM Mexican Civil War in 1913 AWMM Grenadier Guards AWMM Grenadier Guards, 1 Battalion, Manchester Regiment, 1929-31 AWMM Southern Command AWMM Southern Command, UK, 1931-33 AWMM War Office AWMM War Office in 1934 AWMM Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment AWMM British Army, 28th Brigade, Territorials AWMM Headquarters, Eastern Command AWMM Manchester Regiment AWMM Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers Military decorations Contribute › Medals and AwardsVictoria Cross (VC) AWMM VC citation. " For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander". (London Gazette 15 December 1916) AWMM Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) AWMM Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB) AWMM Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) AWMM Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and 3 bars (DSO***) AWMM DSO citation: "In recognition of his services with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the landing on the Peninsula the night of 24-25 April 1915, when he swam ashore at night, alone, and lit flares on the beach to distract attention from the landing operations which were happening elsewhere. He was several hours in the water before being picked up. (London Gazette, 3 June 1915) 1st DSO Bar citation: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the attacks which led up to the capture of Gheluvelt on 28 September 1918, where the success of the operations was greatly due to his dash and leading power. Wherever the fighting was thickest he was always to be found leading and encouraging his troops." (London Gazette, 1 February 1919) 2nd DSO Bar citation: "For marked gallantry and initiative on 11 November 1918 at Lessines. He personally led the cavalry, and though at the time he only had nine men with him, he rushed the town, capturing 100 of the enemy and preventing the blowing up of important road bridges over the Dendre." (London Gazette, 8 March 1919) 3rd DSO Bar citation: "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy [As General Officer Commanding the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force]." (London Gazette, 5 July 1945) AWMM Knight of Justice of the Order of St John (KStJ) AWMM 1914 Star (5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 clasp) AWMM British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM Victory Medal AWMM 1939-1945 Star AWMM Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM Italy Star AWMM Defence Medal AWMM War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) Seven Times AWMM Coronation Medal 1953 AWMM Cross of Valour (Greece) AWMM Military Cross (Greece) AWMM Legion of Merit: Degree of Commander (USA) AWMM Training and Enlistment Contribute › Military training Branch Trade Proficiency EnlistmentWW1 1914 AWMM Various/Civilian AWMM WW2 Nov 1939 AWMM Soldier/Civilian AWMM Occupation before enlistment Age on enlistment Embarkations Contribute › Embarkation detailsWW1 Temporary Lieutenant AWMM Royal Naval Division, Hood Battalion AWMM Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve AWMM WW2 Major General/Military AWMM Headquarters, 2 NZEF, Base AWMM 2NZEF: 1st Echelon AWMM Prisoner of war Contribute › Capture details Days interned Liberation date Liberation Repatriation POW liberation details POW serial number Medical history Contribute › Medical notesWounds Diseases Etc., WWI AWMM Wounded 9 times AWMM Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM Died from rupture of his Gallipoli wounds AWMM Last known rank Contribute › Last rankInter War 16 October 1937 AWMM Retired with a heart condition AWMM Major General/Military AWMM British Army AWMM WW2 22 November 1945 AWMM End of war AWMM Lieutenant General/Military AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM Biographical information Biographical information Contribute › Son of James and Julia Freyberg.The Freybergs migrated to New Zealand and moved to Wellington in 1891.Four brothers served in WW1 Oscar Freyberg (RNVR) killed 1915, Cuthbert Freyberg (2/91), Paul Milton Freyberg (12374) died of wounds 1917 and Bernard Cyril Freyberg (4006) who went on to serve in WW2 as well.Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with 6 (Hauraki) Regiment in January 1912In 1912, he unsuccessfully sought a position in the New Zealand Staff Corps.In 1913 he is reported to have been involved in the Mexican Civil WarHe first served with the RNVR at the outbreak of war in 1914, as part of the Hood Battalion.Served in Belgium in September 1914 and Gallipoli in 1915 After being evacuated from Gallipoli, he transferred to the British Army, RW Surrey Regiment and served on the Western Front.Commanded 173 Brigade, 58 Division and 88 Brigade, 29 Division, 1917-1919On 14 June 1922, Freyberg married Barbara McLaren (nee Jekyll), a widow with two children. They had one son, Paul Freyberg, who also served in World War 2.Transferred to Grenadier Guards and then served as CO of 1 Battalion, Manchester Regiment, 1929-31Appointed Assistant Quartermaster General (AQMG) of Southern Command, UK, 1931-33Served as General Staff Officer grade 1 (GSO1) with the War Office in 1934Promote to Major General in July 1934Due to a heart murmur, Freyberg was obliged to retire in 1937.He returned to active duty in 1939 when he was briefly put in charge of the Salisbury Plain area before accepting command of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.He remained as the commander of the New Zealand forces throughout the Second World War.After the war, Freyberg served as Governor-General of New Zealand, the from June 1946 to August 1952.Freyberg was admitted into the British peerage in 1951, taking the title 1st Baron of Wellington, New Zealand and of Munstead in the County of Surrey.He took up residence in the Norman Gateway at Windsor Castle to serve as its Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor on 1 March 1953. He served there until his death in 1963.Freyberg died when one of his old Gallipoli wounds ruptured.Victoria Cross not publicly held AWMM Read more Death About death Contribute › Death4 July 1963 AWMM Age 74 AWMM Windsor, Berkshire AWMM Date of death Age at death Place of death Cause of deathDied of wounds AWMM Death notes CemeterySt-Martha-on-the-Hill Cemetery, Surrey, England AWMM Cemetery name Grave reference Obituary Memorial name Memorial reference Memorials Memorial Contribute › Memorial name Roll of Honour Remember Bernard Cyril Freyberg by laying a poppy. William Clarence Frewin Barbara Freyberg Bernard Cyril Freyberg Cuthbert Freyberg Oscar Freyberg Lay a poppy for 2020 Leave a note Leave a tribute or memory of Bernard Cyril Freyberg Leave a note Contribute › Processing Sources Sources Contribute › External linksDictionary of New Zealand Biography. http://www.dnzb.govt.nz Sources Used London Gazette. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/home.aspx?geotype=London Sources Used National Archives of New Zealand, National Collection of War Art. Portrait. http://warart.archives.govt.nz/node/72 Further Reference Birkenhead (Auckland) Returned Services Association website. Victoria Cross. http://www.birkenheadrsa.com/victoria-cross.html Further Reference Military Personnel file http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23523700&digital=yes Further Reference Military Personnel file http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23523701&digital=yes Further Reference Military Personnel file http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23513644&digital=yes Further Reference DocumentsSecond New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 1 (Embarkations to 31st March, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM WW2 1: WW2 62 AWMM Freyberg, P. (1991). Bernard Freyberg, VC: soldier of two nations. London, England: Hodder & Stoughton. AWMM Stevens, W. G. (1965). Freyberg, V.C., the man: 1939-1945. Wellington N.Z.: A.H. & A.W. Reed. AWMM Barber, L., & Tonkin-Covell, J. (1989). Freyberg: Churchill's salamander. Auckland, N.Z.: Century Hutchinson. AWMM Gardiner, N. (1981). Freyberg's circus: reminiscences of a Kiwi soldier in the North African campaign of World War II. Auckland, N.Z.: Ray Richards in association with William Collins. AWMM Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors. AWMM Harper, G., & Richardson, C. (2006). In the face of the enemy: The complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins NZ. AWMM pp.101-102 AWMM The Register of the Victoria Cross. (1997). (3rd ed.). Cheltenham, England: This England. AWMM The Register of the Victoria Cross. (1997). (3rd ed.). p. 115 AWMM Barnes, D. Roger. The armorial bearings of Bernard Lord Freyberg. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 89/171. AWMM Harper, G., Clements, C., & Johns., R. (2019). For King and Other Countries: The New Zealanders Who Fought in Other Services in the First World War. Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press. AWMM P. 42 -46 AWMM Contributors Processing Command item Command item Add new record Refresh DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact 18 April 2015Cole MatthewAuckland, New ZealandResearcher The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided. Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
