NEW ZEALAND’S BATTLE LEADER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1979, 20 May 1919, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND’S BATTLE LEADER.

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR A'. 11. RUSSELL, K.C.8., K.C.M.G. Major-General Sir Andrew IT. Russell. K.C.8., K.C.M.G., who commanded the New Zealand Division from Hie date of its formation in Egypt in January, 191(5, till its disbandment in Germany in 1919, and who returned to New Zealand last week, is a son of the late Captain Hamilton Russell, of the 58th Regiment, and a nephew'"of (he late Sir William Russell, who was his father’s brother. He was born at Napier in February, 18(58, and was educated at Harrow, subsequently passing through Sandhurst Military College. In iBB7, at the age of 19 years, he joined the Border Regiment as second lieutenant, and served for live years on foreign service. In 1892 he came to New 7 Zealand, to join his father ,who was then farming at Flaxmcrc, in partnership with his brother. Sir William Russell, and in 189(5,.'when the partnership expired, each brother took a half-share of the property. Sir Andrew was left to manage his fathers interests, and until he subdivided the estate he conducted one of the finest farms in the neighbourhood. In 1900 the Hawkes Bay Mounted Ritles w 7 ere formed, and he was elected to (he command, a position which he held until he was promoted major. On the creation of the Territorial Force in 1911, he was given command of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Brigade, with the rank of colonel. When war broke out in August, 1914, he was selected for the command of the Mew Zealand Mounted Rilles, and in that capacity sailed with the Main Body for Egypt in October, 1911. He commanded the Mounted Rides Brigade on the Peninsula, and was soon promoted Brigadier-General, being early recognised as a brave and brilliant leader. For his services at An/.ac he was created a K.C.M.G. On the formation of the New Zealand Division in Egypt in January, 191 G, Sir Andrew Russell was given the command, with therank of Major-General. He took ,1 ho Division to France in April, 191(5, and from that time never left it except for a short spell or two on leave when the Division was out of the line, resting. He shared all its trials and triumphs, directing it in every engagement, and inspiring it with his personality. His’reputation throughout was that he was fearless of danger, almost to reck-

lessness. Ho was looked upon by Marshal Haig, the British Com-mand-in-Chief, as one of the best Divisional Commanders on the, W estern Front. He was a man who believed in always accomplishing every task set, no mailer how difficult it was; lie inculealod that spirit in the Division, and the result was that the New Zealand Division soon earned Hie repulation of “carrying out with complete success every task set, and always doing even more than was asked of it." No Division on (he Western Front, indeed, had a liner reputation than the New Zealand Division, and this fact must! he ascribed as* being largely due to (he ability, energy, and painstaking efforts of General Russell and his stall'. In 15)17 General Russell was created a K.C.B. He returns (o New Zealand revered by both his officers and men, whom he,was constantly among in the line, and with whom he shared common dangers, He is acclaimed by them as “New Zealand’s Baltic Leader"— a proud title which none will dispute. During the Battle of Messincsj General Russell was wounded by a sniper’s bullet while he was peering over a front line trench. The bullet went through Ids steel helmet and grazed his scalp, but luckily did nothing more. On other occasions officers and men were killed by his side by (lying bullets or exploding shells. —Fust.