231225 Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Richard FREYBERG, OBE, MC, LRDG & 5 Grenadier Guards: POW, E&E

Personal Number: 231225
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
Name: Paul Richard FREYBERG, OBE, MC, 2nd Baron Freyberg
Unit: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards


Date of Birth: 27 May 1923
Place of Birth: London

Date of Death: 26 May 1993


London Gazette : 14 August 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35666/supplement/3549/data.pdf
FOOT GUARDS.
Gren. G'ds.
Paul Richard FREYBERG (231225), late 2nd Lt. N.Z. Mil. Forces to be 2nd Lt. 27th Mar. 1942.

London Gazette : 19 February 1946
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37471/supplement/1004/data.pdf
FOOT GUARDS.
Gren. G'ds.
2nd Lt. (War Subs. Lt.) Paul Richard FREYBERG, M.C. (231225) from Emerg. Commn., to be Lt., 20th Feb. 1946 with seniority, 27th Nov. 1945.

London Gazette : 12 June 1965
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43667/supplement/5476/data.pdf
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration
of Her .Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:
To be Ordinary Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) The Right Honourable Paul Richard, Baron FREYBERG, M.C. (231225), Grenadier Guards.

 

Recommendation for Award for Freyberg, Paul Richard Rank: Lieutenant Service... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/11/260
Name Freyberg, Paul Richard
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 231225
Regiment: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 19 April 1945


24th Guards Brigade, 6th S.A. Armoured Division, 4 U.S. Corps
231225 War Substantive Lieutenant Paul Richard FREYBERG, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

This Officer joined the Battalion in the middle of the battle of DJEBEL BOU AOUKAZ in the North African campaign. Though he was then only 19 he had already served in the ranks and, later, as an Officer in the New Zealand Division in GREECE, CRETE and the WESTERN DESERT.

He at once displayed quite outstanding courage and powers of leadership during the patrol activities towards the end of the battle of TUNIS, when he commanded a rifle platoon.

At ANZIO he had to take command of two different Companies owing to Officer casualties, at a time when all ranks were extremely tired, had suffered very heavy casualties and had been fighting almost continuously for a fortnight.

His great personal courage and unfailing cheerfulness were an inspiring tonic to the men of those Companies during far the most trying time which this Battalion has ever experienced.

On 9th February Lieutenant FREYBERG was again commanding a Platoon (his Company Commander having returned to duty) when the Germans put in a very heavy attack on the Battalion position by CARROCETO village. With his Company partially overrun and completely surrounded, this young Officer, who had already been captured for a few minutes during the ?ight and had escaped, personally led an entirely successful counter-attack with a handful of men against some far buildings which the enemy had captured and which were vital to the defines of the Company's position.

This outstanding act of gallantry was carried out in moonlight, under considerable enemy fire of all kinds, and across a completely open 200 yards of country.

Shortly afterwards this Company was overwhelmed and Lieutenant FREYBERG was made a prisoner. He escaped twice within the first two days of capture but was retaken. Finally, on 9th February, he was being led away with a number of other Prisoners of War under a large guard when he jumped into a culvert and managed to escape detection. After numerous adventures he reached and entered the Vatican on 21st February hidden under a pile of old rugs and carpets in the bottom of a cart.

On the capture of ROME he at once reported back to duty with the Battalion just outside the City and, after a month's leave, returned to command his old Platoon which he had led with conspicuous dash and gallantry during the last five weeks of the advance to FLORENCE.

Signed G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

Granted M.C.

 

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Freyberg, The Right Honourable Paul Richard, Baron
Rank: Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 231225
Regiment: Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Birthday Honours
Award: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 12 June 1965

 

WO 373/11/260

 

See also:

• https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/178154
  
• Paul Freyberg, 2nd Baron Freyberg - Wikipedia
• Person Page
  
• Biographies | Paul Richard FREYBERG (#2079) - The Cobbold Family History Trust
  
• Paul Richard Freyberg (1923-1993) - Find a Grave...
  
• https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/473863192049099987/
• Long Range Desert Group Preservation Society - Recommended Books
  
• https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/148643764.pdf
  
• 

His father:

• Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO & Three Bars
• Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg - Wikipedia