A METEORIC CAREER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3092, 24 May 1917, Page 6

A METEORIC CAREER

Brigadier-general freyberg, yx. from dentist to general in THREE YEARS J Official advice has been received that (tempo iiieutenaat-Colonel 13. C Frev*>erg V.C D.5.0., West Surrey Regiment, and formerly of Wellington, has fceeil promoted, for services in the field •;*riga<lier-general commanding the 173 rd ■Infantry Brigade, British Army. Genj ,V e J' ber S is O"ly 2r years of age, • fcnd thus becomes one of the youngest brigadiers, if not the youngest, servin* ■m the British Forces dnring the present war.' He has bad a very remarkable career. General Fre-yberg is the youngest son et the late Mr. James Freyberg, who was for some years Government timber •Expert in New Zealand, ami of lire. ,'Freyberg, who now resides in Wellington. He was born in Richmond. Surrey, «nd came to Wellington with his par■<mts when lie was a little over two years «f age. He receival his education at Wellington College, afterwards adopting as a profession, and qualifying ■«it. Dimedin. Tn March, 1911, he left for ;Ban Francisco, where he practised his ,•profession , for a time. He then went to :Mexico, and took part in the war there, ! having some very exciting experiences. When the European war broke out he ."went to London nnd joined the West Surrey Regiment. Later he want to Antwerp with the Naval Division, and was ■feeverely injured through coming into 'contact with a wire which formed part lot the, onter defences of the city. After the retirement from" Antwerp' of. the Marines, with .whom he was serving under Major (now Brigadier-General) "Gr. 8. Richardson, formerly of Welling- , :Jton, he was removed for treatment to ; the hospital at Ostend and Inter to England. Hie next eervice wns in the DarWanelles campaign, where he gained new distinction by a deed of wilUmtry for "which-he was awarded the Distinguished' -Service Order. He had the rank of-limi-tenant-commander in the Hood, Battalion of the Roval Naval DivisioTi. \Arcordinjr ia an official statement he "di=plnved conspicuous eallantry on April 25, during the landing operations in the Gulf *>fv Xeros. He swam ashore, towing rafts flares, and, tloigh alone. TeconSoitred the enemy's position and swam Twck; he was over two hours in the :.-water." By his action;he led the Tnrl-s to 'believe that a landing was being made 'tit that particular spot, and. by diverting their attention he rendered conspicuous service. At the Battle of the Ancre lie asnin !camo into prominence, being the hero *>f the highly successful attack liv tlie iNaval Division. Th«n a iieufenant-ool-nnel, he was wonnded four times, and ; was eulogised br all the war correspondents for his heroism. One declared: ■ ''Seldom has there teen « case where Success wae so clearly due to one man's • "personality." For the valour he displayed lie was awarded the Victoria Cross in the following terms:— For, most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a battalion'commander.. By his splendid personal jpallamtry he carried the initial at- . tack straight through the enemy's front system of trenches. Owing to mist and heavy fire of all descriptions, Lieut.-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 intermingled. He inspired all with, his own contempt of . danger. At the appointed time he-.led Ws men to the successful assault of the second obiectivc—many .prisoners . being captured. .: ■ During the advance he was twice .' wounded. He again Tallied and reformed all who were with him, and, although! unsupported in a very advanced position, ho held his ground for the Temninder of the day and .-.. throughout the night, tinder heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. When reinforced, on the following morning he organised the attack on a stronglyfortified village, and showed a fine example of dash in personally leading the'assjmlt, capturing the village and 500 prisoners. In this operation he was again wounded. Later in the afternoon hn was again wounded •' severely, but refused to leave the line till ho had issued final instructions. The personality, valour, and ntter contempt of danger on the pnrt. of this single officer enabled the lodgment on the most advanced objective of the corps to be permanently held, and on this point d'appui the line was eventually formed. Now he has been promoted BriadierGencral for his services in the field, a fact that will give intense pleasure to hia old friends and admirers, who will ■unite in tendering congratulations to this distinguished Wellingtonian on his Tapid ■promotion, and also to his mother The Freyberg family is well known as a fighting family. Oscar, one of tlie five ; sons, was "killed in action, Paul is now

serving with the New Zealand Forces, Cuthbort has joined the Naval Reserve', I™ P la ? de was ca l led »P in one of He ballots but was temporarily exempted.