Bernard Cyril Freyberg
Lieutenant Colonel, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (Commanding Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division.)
- Register No.
- 429 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (Commanding Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division.) (register: Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment) all Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 November 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 15th December, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 21st March, 1889 at Richmond Hill, Surrey
- Died
- 4th July, 1963 at Windsor, Berkshire
- Memorial / grave
- at grave in St Martha's churchyard, Chilworth, Surrey, the Crypt in St Paul's Cathedral, also in St George's Chapel, Windsor. His bust stands in the Guildhall, London
Digest of citation
On 13th November 1916 at Beaucourt sur Ancre, France, after carrying the initial attack through the enemy's front system of trenches, Lieutenant Colonel Freyberg's Battalion was much disorganised, but after rallying and reforming his own men and some others, he led them on a successful assault of the second objective, during which he was twice wounded, but remained in command and held his ground throughout the day and the following night. When reinforced the next morning he attacked and captured a strongly fortified village, taking 500 prisoners. He was wounded twice more, the second time severely, but he refused to leave the line until he had issued final instructions
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
FREYBERG, Bernard Cyril. (reg No. 429)
Lieutenant Colonel. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment (Commanding Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division.)
London Gazetted on 15th December, 1916.
Born on 21st March, 1889 at Richmond Hill, Surrey.
Died on 4th July, 1963 at Windsor, Berkshire.
Memorials are at grave in St Martha's churchyard, Chilworth, Surrey, the Crypt in St Paul's Cathedral, also in St George's Chapel, Windsor. His bust stands in the Guildhall, London.
Digest of Citation reads: On 13th November 1916 at Beaucourt sur Ancre, France, after carrying the initial attack through the enemy's front system of trenches, Lieutenant Colonel Freyberg's Battalion was much disorganised, but after rallying and reforming his own men and some others, he led them on a successful assault of the second objective, during which he was twice wounded, but remained in command and held his ground throughout the day and the following night. When reinforced the next morning he attacked and captured a strongly fortified village, taking 500 prisoners. He was wounded twice more, the second time severely, but he refused to leave the line until he had issued final instructions.
Additional information: Lieutenant General, Baron Freyberg was in Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George (GCMG), a Knight Commander of the Bath, a Knight British Empire. He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and three Bars. From 1939-45 he was the General Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces and was the Commander in Chief in Crete in 1941. He became Governor-General of New Zealand from 1946-52. From 1953 to 1963 he was the Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle.
Additional information
Lieutenant General, Baron Freyberg was in Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George (GCMG), a Knight Commander of the Bath, a Knight British Empire. He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and three Bars. From 1939-45 he was the General Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces and was the Commander in Chief in Crete in 1941. He became Governor-General of New Zealand from 1946-52. From 1953 to 1963 he was the Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at grave in St Martha's churchyard, Chilworth, Surrey, the Crypt in St Paul's Cathedral, also in St George's Chapel, Windsor. His bust stands in the Guildhall, London
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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