ARMY CHIEF

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 75, 30 May 1941, Page 6

ARMY CHIEF

Retirement Of Sir John

Duigan

BRITISH OFFICER TO

COME

Advice On Military Training And Organization

An announcement of the impending retirement of the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Sir John Duigan, K.8.E., C. 8., D. 5.0., was made yesterday by the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Nash. He also said that at the request of the New Zealand Government the United Kingdom Government had placed the services of Lieutenant-General Sir Guy Williams, late General Officer Com-manding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, at its disposal for a few months. This officer is now on his way to New Zealand, and he is to advise the Government on military organization and training.

“It is with the greatest reluctance,’’ said Mr. Nash, “that the Government has acceded to General Duigan’s request that, he should be permitted to retire. While he has for some time been anxious to go, he ’consented to remain at his post at the special request of the Government. But now he feels that his health, which has been indifferent , for some tim£, will no longer stand the severe strain which the duties of Chief of the General Staff demand.

“I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government.” continued Mr. Nash, ‘‘of paying a sincere tribute to General Duigan’s outstanding services. Because of their confidence in him, and because of his experience and sound grasp of the defence problems of New Zealand, his tej-m has been extended on several occasions. It was his duty to plan and to organize the mobilization and training of the New Zealand Forces, and this task he and his 1 staff have performed in a manner which must earn them the appreciation and gratitude of the people of the Dominion. Country. Well Served. ‘His wish to do his duty at whatever cost to himself is, I know, the mark of a good soldier, and I am voicing the opinion of all who have been associated with him in saying that no soldier could have served his country better than has General Duigan during the four years of his term as Chief of the General Staff.

“Before his retirement General Duigan. proposes to visit K the main camps throughout the Dominion.” The following statement wa ( s also issued by Mt. Nash.: — ‘‘His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand has asked His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom for the loan of a senior military officer for a few months to advise the New Zealand Government on problems relating to the organization and training of our military forces. The services of Lieut.General Sir Guy Williams, late General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, have been placed at the disposal of the New Zealand Govern ment for that purpose, and he is on his way to New Zealand accompanied by a small staff.”

General Duigan’s Career.

Major-General Sir John Duigan, ho has been a soldier since his youth, has the distinction of- being the first New Zealander to be appointed Chief of the General Staff in New Zealand, tie has held this position since March, 1937, when he succeeded Major General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess. His term of office has been extended three times.

A son of the late Mr. James Duigan, who was a former editor of the “Wa aganui Herald,” he was born and educated in Wanganui, and was one of the youngest men to serve in the Boer War. He joined the New Zealand Permanent Forces in 1903 and received his commission in 1905. In the Great War he was mentioned in dispatches and- decorated. After holding responsible posts overseas, he returned to the Dominion, and in 1919 was appointed Chief of Staff of the Northern Com mand, with headquarters in Auckland. Later he became Officer Commanding the Northern Command, and held that appointment till z he was . appointed Chief of the General Staff. A great deal of responsibility fell on him when the present war broke out in the organization of the country’s defences, the -development of the mobilization scheme and the general furtherance of the military side of New Zealand’s war effort. Last year Sir John led the New Zealand delegation to the Eastern Group Conference in Delhi and later visited Egypt, where he saw the New Zealand troops, and Greece. He has also paid visits to*Australia in connexion with defence matters.

General Williams.

Major-General Sir Guy Williams succeeded General Sir Edmund Ironside as G.0.C.-in-Chief. Eastern Com maud, toward the end of May, 1938. He is 59 years old. His appointment to the Eastern Command was de scribed as an excellent one One mill tary writer at that time said that

there were few officers who had such varied experience or knowledge of the Army. He commanded • a tunnelling company during the war of 1914-18, at the,- conclusion of which he was In fantry Brigadier. Subsequently he had much staff experience in India as well as the command of a brigade there. He has also been an instructor at the Imperial Defence College, Commandant of the Staff College in Quetta, Assistant Military Secretary at the War Office, and Chief Engineer at Aidershot.