Comments about index record
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
More Information: Further gazette dates: 30/05/1919 (C.M.G.); 20/11/1942 (K.C.B.); 30/12/1941 (K.B.E.); 01/06/1915 (D.S.O.); 31/01/1919 (D.S.O.Bar); 07/03/1919 (D.S.O.2nd Bar); 03/10/1919 (D.S.O.2nd Bar citation); 03/07/1945 (D.S.O.3rd Bar); 22/05/1917 (MiD); 07/12/1917 (MiD); 17/12/1918 (MiD); 04/07/1919 (MiD); 11/12/1942 (MiD); 22/06/1943 (MiD); 27/11/1945 (MiD); 17/06/1919 (Croix de Guerre); 07/04/1942 (Military Cross – Greece); 31/07/1945 (Legion of Merit); 16/06/1944 (Order of the Phoenix) Further gazette pages: 6792 (C.M.G.); 5091 (K.C.B.); 8 (K.B.E.); 5331 (D.S.O.);1602 (D.S.O.Bar); 3224 (D.S.O.2nd Bar); 12214 (D.S.O.2nd Bar citation); 3490 (D.S.O.3rd Bar); 5025 (MiD); 12913 (MiD); 14926 (MiD); 8492 (MiD); 5446 (MiD); 2866 (MiD); 5835 (MiD); 7803 (Croix de Guerre); 1595 (Military Cross – Greece); 3962 (Legion of Merit); 2913 (Order of the Phoenix) Further gazette issues: 31370 (C.M.G.); 35794 (K.C.B.); 35399 (K.B.E.); 29180 (D.S.O.); 31158 (D.S.O.Bar); 31219 (D.S.O.2nd Bar); 31583 (D.S.O.2nd Bar citation); 37161 (D.S.O.3rd Bar); 30086 (MiD); 30421 (MiD); 31077 (MiD); 31435 (MiD); 35821 (MiD); 36065 (MiD); 37368 (MiD); 31409 (Croix de Guerre); 35519 (Military Cross – Greece); 37204 (Legion of Merit); 36569 (Order of the Phoenix)
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 29866, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29866/supplements/12307. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned:- Captain (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Bernard Cyril Freyberg, D.S.O., Royal West Surrey Regiment and Royal Naval Division. For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander. On 13th November 1916 at Beaucourt sur Ancre, France, by his splendid personal gallantry he carried the initial attack straight through the enemy’s front system of trenches. Owing to mist and heavy fire of all descriptions, Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg's command 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 intermixed. He inspired all with his own contempt of danger. At the appointed time he led his men to the successful assault of the second objective – many prisoners being captured. During this advance he was twice wounded. He again rallied and re-formed all who were with him, and although un-supported in a very advanced position, he held his ground for the remainder of the day, and throughout the night, under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. When reinforced on the following morning, he organised the attack on a strongly fortified village and showed a fine example of dash in personally leading the assault, capturing the village and five hundred prisoners. In this operation he was again wounded. Later in the afternoon, he was again wounded severely, but refused to leave the line till he had issued final instructions. The personality, valour and utter contempt of danger on the part of this single Officer enabled the lodgment in the most advanced objective of the Corps to be permanently held, and on this point d'appui the line was eventually formed. COMPANION OF ST MICHAEL AND ST GEORGE,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31370/pages/6792. KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE BATH,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35794/supplements/5091. KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35399/supplements/8. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29180/supplements/5331. BAR TO D.S.O.,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31158/supplements/1602. GAZETTE ISSUE 31158, BAR TO D.S.O., His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the mentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order. He showed himself a fearless and resourceful commander. The success of the operations of his brigade near Gheluvelt on the 28th September and the following days was largely owing to his inspiring example. Wherever the fighting was hardest he was always to be found encouraging and directing his troops. SECOND BAR TO D.S.O.,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31219/supplements/3224. CITATION: SECOND BAR TO D.S.O.,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31583/supplements/12214. GAZETTE ISSUE 31583, SECOND BAR TO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, Captain and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary Brigadier-General) Bernard Cyril Freyberg, V.C., D.S.O., Royal West Surrey Regiment (General Officer Commanding, 88th Infantry Brigade). For marked gallantry and initiative on 11th November 1918 at Lessines, France. He personally led the cavalry, and though at the time he had only 9 men with him, he rushed the town, capturing 100 of the enemy and preventing the blowing up of the important road bridges over the Dendre. (D.S.O. Gazetted 3rd June 1915.) (1st Bar gazetted 1st February 1919.). THIRD BAR TO D.S.O.,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37161/supplements/3490. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30086/supplements/5025. GAZETTE ISSUE, 30086, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, The Honourable Sir Douglas Haig, has submitted the Officer's name as deserving a special Mention in Despatches. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30421/supplement/12913. GAZETTE ISSUE 30421, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, This Officer has been mentioned in despatches for his distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period 26th February 1917 to midnight of 20th/21st September 1917. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31077/supplement/14926. GAZETTE ISSUE 31077, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, D. Haig has the honour to submit a list of names of the mentioned officers, ladies, non-commissioned offices and men serving, or who have served, under his command during the period 25th February, 1918, to midnight 16/17th September, 1918, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty deserve a special mention. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31435/supplement/8492. GAZETTE ISSUE 31435, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, Despatch received from Field-Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, K.T., G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., Commander-in-Chief, the British Armies in France. I have the honour to submit the name of this person, who served under my command during the period 16th September, 1918, to 15th March, 1919, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider deserving of special mention. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35821/supplements/5446. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36065/supplements/2866. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37368/supplements/5835. CROIX DE GUERRE,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31409/supplements/7803. GAZETTE ISSUE 31409, CROIX DE GUERRE, Medal awarded by the President of the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission to wear the Medal. MILITARY CROSS (GREECE),: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35519/supplements/1595. LEGION OF MERIT (USA),: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37204/supplements/3962. ORDER OF THE PHOENIX,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36569/supplements/2913.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Information: Served in the First World War with The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, Commander Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Served in Second World War as Commander of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Ranks achieved: Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier-General and Lieutenant-General. Later served with The Grenadier Guards. D.S.O. gazetted 3rd June, 1915. Victory and British War Medals issued by War Office. Error on Roll. 1914 Star issued to Commandant, also entitled to the Clasp, Clasp not issued/claimed. Staff Colonel. Hood Battalion at Antwerp 1914-13/11/1916 Gun Shot Wounds to the Throat. Hood 25/02/1917-21/04/1917 to command 173rd Infantry Brigade. Major G.P.S. Hunt CMG, Royal Berkshire Regiment. RND/Q.346. Report by Commodore Backhouse: Performed meritorious work during the operations round Antwerp. D.S.O. "Displayed conspicuous gallantry on 25/04/1915 during the landing operations in the Gulf of Xeros. He swam ashore towing rafts with flares and although alone, reconnoitred the enemy's position and swam back; he was over two hours in the water." OC Hood Battalion 20/08/1915-15/11/1916 and Major Russell 25/02/1917-21/04/1917. Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished and gallant conduct MEF (London Gazette 13/07/1916). Victoria Cross: (Ancre) for conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander (London Gazette 15/12/1916). Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 01/01/1918. Temporary Brigadier- General Commanding 88th Infantry Brigade, 1918. Staff College Camberley 30/10/1919. Colonel, late Foot Guards, seniority date 01/01/1922; Officer on the Active List, Army List 1933. Colonel, General Staff Officer 1st Grade (Staff Duties), seniority date 09/09/1933, Army List 1933. Brother of Temporary Sub Lieutenant Oscar Freyberg RNVR, Collingwood Battalion, Killed in action 04/06/1915.