NEW ZEALAND'S BATTLE LEADER.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1919, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND'S BATTLE LEADER.

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR A. H. RUSSELL, K.C.8., K.C.M.G.

Major-General Sir Andrew H. Russell, [ fv.C.B., K.C.M.G., who commanded the New Zealand Division from the date of its formation in Egypt in January, 1910. till its disbandment in Germany in 1919, is a son of the late Captain Hamilton Russell, of the sSth Regiment, and a nephew of the late Sir William Russell, who was his father's brother. He was born at Napier in February, ISGS, and was educated at Harrow, subsequently passing through Sandhurt Military College. In 1887, at the ago of 19 years, he joined the Border Regiment as hecond-lieutenant, and served for five years on foreign service. In 1892 he.came to New Zealand to join his father, who was then farming at Flaxmere, in partnership with his brother, Sir William Russell, and in 1896, when the partnership expired, each brother took a halfshare in the property. Sir Andrew was left to manage his lather's interests, and until he sub-divided the estate he conducted one of the finest farms in the neighborhood. In 1900 the Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles were formed, and he was elected to the 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 cut in August, 1914, he was selected for the command of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Brigade, and in that capacity sailed with the Main Body for Egypt in October, 1914. He commanded the Mounted Rifles Brigade on the Peninsula, and was soon promoted Brigadier-Gen-eral, being early realised as a brave and brilliant leader. For his services at Anzac he was created a K.C.M.G. On the formation of the New Zealand Division in Egypt in January, 1916, Sir Andrew Russell was given the command, with the rank of Major-General. He took the Division to France in April, 1916, and from that time never left, 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 recklessness. He was looked upon by Marshal Haig, the British Commander-in-Chief, as one of the best divisional commanders on the Western Front. Hewas a man who believed in always accomplishing every task set, no matter how difficult it was; he inculcated that spirit in the Division, and the result was that the New Zealand Division soon earned the reputation of'"carrying out with complete success every task set, and always doing even more than was ask«d of it.jf No division on the Western Front, indeed, had a finer refutation than the New Zealand Division, and this fact must be ascribed as being largely due to the ability, energy, anil painstaking efforts of General Russell and his staff. In 1917 General Russell wag created a, K.C.B. He rettqrns te 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 acelaimed by them as "New Zealand's Battle leader"— a proud title which none will dispute. During the Battle of Mesaines Genera). Russell was wottjutad by a wiper's bullefc while he was petting over tfe« front Haft' i-trench. The bullet mat through hiaj steel helmet and gntaed his uealp, but, ! hekily, did nothing more. On other occasions officers and men were killed by his aide by flying bullets or exploding [ shells.