Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC

For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander.

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 O’f 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 reformed all who were with him, and although unsupported in a very advanced position, he held’ his ground for the remainder of the ay, 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.

Extract from The London Gazette

Name:	Lieutenant General Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO with three bars
Born:	21 Mar 1889; Richmond
Died:	4 Jul 1963, King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor
Buried:	St Martha-on-the-Hill Churchyard, Chilworth, Guildford
Unit:	Appointed to the Royal West Surrey Regiment but remained temporary CO of The Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division
Date of Action:	13th Nov 1916
Place:	Beaucourt-sur-Ancre, France
Rank:	Captain and Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
Gazetted:	The London Gazette of 15 Dec 1916, Num. 29866, p. 12307
VC No:	613 (Kiwi VC number 18)
Presented:	2 Jan 1918 by HM King George V at Buckingham Palace
Displayed:	Privately held
References:	[74]
Connection:	Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle (1953–1963). He lived at the Norman Gate within the castle from 1954 until his death in 1963.
Awards:	Victoria Cross Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Knight of the Order of the British Empire Knight of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem DSO and Three Bars (1915, 1918, 1919, 1945) 1914 Star with “Mons” clasp British War Medal 1914-20 Victory Medal 1914-19 with Mentioned in Despatches oakleaf 1939-45 Star Africa Star with “8th Army” clasp Italy Star Defence Medal 1939-45 War Medal 1939-45 with Mentioned in Despatches oakleaf New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45 George V Jubilee Medal 1935 George VI Coronation Medal 1937 Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 US Legion of Merit French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm Greek Military Cross and Greek Grand Commander of the Royal Order of George I with Swords
Notes:	Knicknamed ‘The Salamander’ by Winston Churchill because of his uncanny ability to survive horrific fire and being wounded nine separate times. Distantly related to four other VC recipients – John Graham VC (3rd cousin), Robert Sherbrooke VC (3rd cousin), Francis Grenfell VC and Walter Brodie VC (through his son’s marriage). Memorial and bronze in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral and memorial plaque in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was the first Governor-General with a New Zealand upbringing (1946- 1952). In 1951, appointed Baron Freyberg of Wellington and of Munstead. Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor in charge of Windsor Castle (1953 – 1963). He commanded the parade at the celebration of the founding of the Victoria Cross, held in Hyde Park on 26th June 1956. The Lord Freyberg statue is located in Freyberg Square, Auckland, New Zealand.

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