INSPECTOR-GENERAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 8

INSPECTOR-GENERAL

NEW ZEALAND FORCES. SIR ANDREW RUSSELL’S POST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. ~16. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell has been, appointed Inspector-General of the New Zealand Military Forces. Tlie Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) said that for some time the Government had been considering a programme for extending and strengthening the Military Forces. Seven Army officers were engaged . in organising, equipping, and administering the training of the much-increased Territorial Army as well as maintaining a regular flow of reinforcements for the forces overseas. In order to assist these, and to relieve the pressure of work, - and at the same time utilise fully his experience and capabilities, the Government had decided on Sir Andrew Russell’s appointment. Other important changes were at present under consideration, said the Minister.

There will be widespread satisfaction among his former colleagues in the Great War that Major-General Sir Andrew Russell lias been trusted with so important a post in the present conflict. As the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Division from 1915 to 1919 lie earned a striking reputation for his fine qualities as a soldier and a man, not hesitating to enter the thick of the battle. In fact, he was wounded at the Front and was mentioned in despatches. In 1915 General Russell was awarded the K.C.M.G., two years later the C. 8., and in 1918 the K.C.B. Other decorations he earned were - the Legion of Honour, the Coix do Guerre (French and Belgian), Commander of the Order of Leopold, and Commander of the Order of the White Eagle (Serbia). On the formation of t.hfe R.S.A. Sir Andrew rendered yeoman service to the new organisation, being Dominion president from 1920 to 1925. ~ Sir Andrew Russell, who resides at J unanui, Hawke’s Bay, was born in 1868, and is the son of Captain Andrew Hamilton Russell. He was educated at Harrow and later passed through Sandhurst. _ In 1907 ho became major of the 4th WellingtonEast Coast Mounted Rifles, in 1911 becoming brigade commander.