Freyberg, Bernard Cyril (1889–1963)

English-born New Zealand soldier and administrator, governor general 1946–52. During World War II he commanded the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East; the Commonwealth forces in Greece, Crete, and North Africa, during 1941; and the New Zealand Corps in Italy 1944–45.

Born in London, he emigrated with his parents to New Zealand in 1891 and was educated at Wellington College. During World War I he served courageously with the Royal Naval Division in Gallipoli and France, winning the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the British armed forces, and three Distinguished Service Orders (DSOs). He was made a brigadier general in 1916, at the age of 27. Between the wars he worked in the British War Office. KCB 1942, Baron 1951.