Speaking with someone about his war service in North Africa, I discovered he had carried out secretarial duties as a member of Bernard Freyberg’s headquarters staff. He spoke warmly of Freyberg’s innate courtesy and of his respect for the most junior soldier. This is emphasised by Matthew Wright who identifies kindness, gentleness and empathy as marked features of Freyberg’s character.

Born in London, Freyberg came to New Zealand with his family at an early age and grew to become a champion swimmer. He was in the cadet corps at high school and, while working as a dentist, became a lieutenant in the territorial forces.

At the outbreak of war in 1914, Freyberg travelled to London where he was assigned to the Royal Naval Division to assist land-based forces. In April 1915, Freyberg’s battalion was sent to the Gallipoli peninsula. On the evening of 24 April, Freyberg volunteered to swim ashore to light flares that created a diversion to the landing on what we now know as Anzac Cove. For this selfless and courageous act he was awarded a DSO.

Further military decorations followed: the VC and two bars to his DSO. Although wounded nine times during the course of the war, Freyberg refused to give in or give up.

Although he had not lived in New Zealand for many years, when war broke out again in 1939, Freyberg accepted an invitation to lead the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF). Wright comments that this was the time that Freyberg cemented his place in New Zealand as a household name and made his major impact on history.

Quickly he gained high regard from the New Zealand soldiers through his genuine concern for their wellbeing and his willingness to share the dangers of the battle front. Bernard Montgomery, Commander of the British Eighth Army wrote of the inspiration of Freyberg’s “splendid example, untiring energy and infectious optimism.”

In 1942 Freyberg was knighted and promoted to Lieutenant-General. At the end of the war he returned to New Zealand as Governor-General. Wright comments that Freyberg’s appointment was welcomed as the people of New Zealand regarded him as a friend. Upon completion of his term of office in 1952, he and his wife, Barbara, returned to England. He was elevated to the House of Lords taking the title Baron Freyberg of Wellington, New Zealand, and Munstead, Surrey. He was appointed Deputy Constable and Lieutenant- Governor of Windsor Castle and remained there until his death in 1963.

Wright concludes that Freyberg validated a sense of worth in the men he led and he influenced a significant number of young Kiwis. No remote hero, Freyberg was approachable and kindly, and people felt better for having met him. His name appears in New Zealand in the many public places named in his honour. Although he lived and died in England, Bernard Freyberg was at heart a proud New Zealander. Those who read this book will feel they know him better.