Leslie Andrew
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
Leslie Wilton Andrew, VC
, DSO
(23 March 1897 – 9 January 1969) was a soldier in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
, during the First World War. He also served in the Second World War.
When he was 20 years old, and a corporal
in the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
during the First World War
, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1917 at La Bassee Ville, France
:
Corporal Andrew was in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy's position. His objective was a machine-gun post which had been located in an isolated building, but on leading his men forward he encountered another machine-gun post which was holding up the advance of another company. He immediately attacked it, capturing the gun and killing several of the crew. He then continued with his attack on the original objective and finally captured the post, killing a number of the enemy and putting the remainder to flight.
In World War II he commanded the 22nd Battalion
of the Second NZEF, and led the New Zealand
victory contingent in London
in 1946.
He later achieved the rank of brigadier
. He died 9 January 1969. His grave/memorial is at Levin RSA Cemetery, Tiro Tiro Road, Levin, New Zealand. Returned Serviceman's Section, row 13. Headstone. The "Andrew Barracks" for 60 field engineers in Linton Army Camp
is named after him.
His Victoria Cross was displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum
, Waiouru, New Zealand. On Sunday 2 December 2007 it was one of nine Victoria Crosses that were among 96 medals stolen from the museum. On 16 February 2008 New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of a NZ$
300,000 reward offered by Michael Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Leslie Wilton Andrew, VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(23 March 1897 – 9 January 1969) was a soldier in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, during the First World War. He also served in the Second World War.
Biography
Andrew was born 23 March 1897 in Manawatu, New Zealand.When he was 20 years old, and a corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1917 at La Bassee Ville, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
:
Corporal Andrew was in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy's position. His objective was a machine-gun post which had been located in an isolated building, but on leading his men forward he encountered another machine-gun post which was holding up the advance of another company. He immediately attacked it, capturing the gun and killing several of the crew. He then continued with his attack on the original objective and finally captured the post, killing a number of the enemy and putting the remainder to flight.
In World War II he commanded the 22nd Battalion
22nd Battalion (New Zealand)
The 22nd Battalion, also known as the "Wellington Battalion", was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces, which served during the Second World War. Formed in November 1939, it was part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. After undertaking...
of the Second NZEF, and led the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
victory contingent in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1946.
He later achieved the rank of brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. He died 9 January 1969. His grave/memorial is at Levin RSA Cemetery, Tiro Tiro Road, Levin, New Zealand. Returned Serviceman's Section, row 13. Headstone. The "Andrew Barracks" for 60 field engineers in Linton Army Camp
Linton Army Camp
Linton Army Camp is the largest New Zealand Army base and is home to the 2nd Land Force Group. It is located just south of Palmerston North.Units based at Linton:* HQ 2 Land Force Group* 16 Field Regiment...
is named after him.
His Victoria Cross was displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum
QEII Army Memorial Museum
The National Army Museum is the museum of the New Zealand Army. It was formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum. It is situated 94 minutes south of Taupo on State Highway One, on the southern side of the small military town of Waiouru. The 1300 square metre museum is...
, Waiouru, New Zealand. On Sunday 2 December 2007 it was one of nine Victoria Crosses that were among 96 medals stolen from the museum. On 16 February 2008 New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of a NZ$
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
300,000 reward offered by Michael Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess.
External links
- Andrew L.W.
- New Zealand Troops who have won the Victoria Cross (brief biography details)
- Burial location of Leslie Andrew "Wellington, New Zealand"
- Location of Leslie Andrew's Victoria Cross "Army Museum Waiouru"