A METEORIC CAREER.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1917, Page 2

A METEORIC CAREER.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL FREYBERG,

FROM DENTIST TO GENERAL IN THREE YEARS. .

Official advice has been received that (temp.) Lieutenant-Colonel B. 0. Freyberg, V.C., D.5.0., West Surrey Regiment, and formerly of Wellington, lias been promoted, for services in the field brigadier-general commanding the 173 rd Infantry Brigade, British Army. General Freybcrg is only 27 years of age and thus becomes one of the youngest brigadiers, if not the youngest, serving in the British Forces during the' present war. He has had a very remarkable

career. General Freyberg is the youngest son of the late Mr. Jame9 iFroyberg, who was for some years Government timber expert in New Zealand, and of Mrs. Freybcrg, who now resides in Wellington. Ho was horn in Richmond, Surrey, and «ame to Wellington with his parents' when he was a .little over two of age. ' He received his education tot Wellington College, afterwards adopting dentistry as a profession, and qualifying at Dunedin. Ift March, 1914, he left for San 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 bnjjto out he went to 'London arid joined the West Surrey Regiment. Later he went to Antwerp with the Naval Division, and was severely injured through coming into contact with a wire which formed part of the outer defences of the 'city. After the retirement from Antwerp of the. Royal Marines, with whom he was serving under Major'(now Brigadier-Gener-al)' G. S. Richardson, formlrly of Wellington, he was removed for treatment to tho ho. ; "nl at Ostend and later to England. '!..* next service was in the Dardanelles campaign, where he gained new distinction 'by a deed of f.llfCfctry for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He had the rank of lieutenant-commander in the Hood* Battalion of the Royal Naval Diviison. According to an official statement he •'displayed conspicuous gallantry on April 25, during the landing operations in the Gulf of Xeros. He swam ashore, towing rafts with flares, and, though alone, reconnoitred the enemy's position and swam back; he was over two hours, in the water." By his action he led the Turks to believe that a landing wfl.3 being made at that particular spot, and by diverting their attention he rendered conspicuous service. At tho Battle of the Ancro he again came into prominence, heing the hero of the highly successful attack by the Naval Division. Then a lieutenant-col-onel, he was wounded four times, and was eulogised by all the war correspondent for his heroism. One declared: "Seldom has there been a case where success was so clearly due to one man's personality." For the valor lie displayed he was awarded the Victoria Cross in the following terms:— For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a battalion commander. By his splendid personal gallantry he carried the initial at- . tack straight through the enemy'i) front system of trenches. Owing- to mist and heavy fire of all descriptions, Lieut.-Colonel Freyberg's conv niand '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 lie led his men to the successful assault of the second objective—many' prisoners being captured. During the advance he was twice wounded. He again rallied and reformed all who were with him, and, although unsupported in a very advanced position, he held his ground for tho remainder of the day and throughout the night, under heavy artillery-and machino-guri 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 assault, capturing the village and 500. prisoners.' In this operation lie was again, wounded.- Later in the afternoon he |*as' again wounded severely, but refused to Jeave the lino! .till he Jiad issued final instructions. ■The personality, valor, and utter contempt of danger on the part of this 'single officer enabled tho 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 BrigadierGeneral for his services in the field, a fact that will give intense pleasure to his old friends ahd admirers, who mill, unite in tendering congratulations to this distinguished Wellingtonian on his rapid promotion, and also to his mother.

The Freyberg family is well known as a fighting family. Oscar, one of the five sons, was killed in action, Paul is now serving with the New Zealand Forces, Cuthbert has joined the Naval Reserve, and Claude was called up in one of the ballots but was temporarily exempted.