major general sir june march new_zealand military leader lawyer chief justice born commenced legal studies joined year law degree volunteered service abroad fought western finished world war command battalion war finished law studies successful lawyer resumed duty serving moved join law firm based following outbreak second world war volunteered service commanded infantry brigade 2nd campaign greece recommended divisional command superior officer given led solomon islands campaign division disbanded late left command eventually discharged returned legal profession appointed chief justice new_zealand established permanent new_zealand served time retired died age early life born new_zealand june son civil engineer wife later life father took teaching educated performed academically sports won university scholarship following year began law studies joined world war early stages world war volunteered service enlisting private january showed leadership potential months commissioned second lieutenant departed overseas service october having promoted lieutenant posted saw brief service brigade middle_east regarded outstanding officer early promoted captain months later appointed commander company battalion september serving western won military cross actions battle led party attack german strong point linked neighbouring awarded action wounded june england recovery commanded reserve battalions bases england returned france march temporary major took command company august promoted rank lieutenant colonel given command month later days offensive awarded distinguished service order leadership dealing german counterattack near proved action war led battalion later mentioned despatches occupation duty germany coordinated education program soldiers returned new_zealand discharged interwar period resuming legal studies graduated law degree set practice later time law rejoined commanded 1st promoted colonel given command 3rd resigned accepted offer partnership law firm russell quickly developed high profile law establishment mid-1930s state new_zealand military forces decline lack resources compulsory military training encouraged reformation defence lobby group aimed encourage new_zealand defence preparations war country defence arrangements poor state affairs time gained little traction second world war prior outbreak second world war volunteered services duly taken commanded raised service war 2nd formed promoted brigadier appointed commander embarking new_zealand spent months england commanding elements 2nd diverted route middle_east brigade continuing egypt planned rejoined brigade october led campaign greece april later campaign lift siege received awards service period mention despatches work greece bar leadership offensive response request new_zealand government nominated command based fiji entry war important command fiji line defence mainland new_zealand embarked new_zealand early transit commanding officer seriously ill home immediately replaced arrival new_zealand disappointed find expected command longer available eventually posted commander rank major general responsible defence upper months oversaw reorganisation training new command opportunity return duty overseas came following death aircraft crash july time death recalled new_zealand reorganisation division offensive operations august named commander known 3rd new zealand division immediately overhauled structure removed officers considered old duty replacing personnel experience greece crete north_africa implemented training programs new command personnel engaged construction fortifications fiji left little opportunity intensive tactical training exercises response request vice admiral american commander moved garrison duty american forces previously stationed fought conscious division sizable non american unit theatre operations having overall american command structure requested received charter allowed seek instructions felt division involved operations result significant casualties arrived divisional headquarters november main body command place january island division began training amphibious landings jungle warfare prepare forthcoming offensive operations set dealing administrative logistical problems integrating division american command structure division consisting infantry brigades 8th 14th instead conventional infantry division unsuccessfully agitated expansion new_zealand supply manpower infantry divisions field government preference retain 2nd division north_africa strength unhappy decision relationship army headquarters wellington chief staff lieutenant general strained brigade divisional structure constrained employed offensive operations replacement american division reduced number personnel unit outside american supply chain caused logistical problems division british equipment august advised division participate campaign eventually participate major amphibious operations september 14th brigade conducted series landings coast satisfactory performance new congratulated american commanders division work followed early battle green islands battle commanded force nearly men elements division remainder american forces eventually new_zealand increasing shortage manpower resulted disbandment withdrawn battle green islands september providing reinforcements time engaged fighting italy allowing men return vital industries new_zealand left command little options attempts find suitable position italy british_army avail late discharged military service pacific theatre operations rewarded decorations included merit appointment companion order bath later life left military returned legal career law firm suffered war years lack manpower rebuilding practice occupied time moved wellington appointment chief justice new_zealand following year received honorary doctorate law member appointed knight commander order michael queen elizabeth_ii visit new_zealand chief justice established permanent new_zealand retirement january returned died march age survived children wife mary married left money establish scholarship law students north boys high school school implemented leadership achievement programs named honour
Harold Barrowclough