Monty Claude Fairbrother, CBE, DSO, ED, MID

This article appeared in the April 1990 NZ 28 Maori Battalion Golden Jubilee Reunion booklet.

7th C.O. - FAIRBROTHER, M.C. (Monty), CBE, DSO, ED, MID

Born Carterton, 21st September 1907. Brigade Major of 5th Brigade during some of its toughest fighting June 1942 - April 1943 - was successively C.O. of 21, 23 and 28 Battalions April - December 1943, when after leading the Maori Battalion in its first action in Italy, he was ordered out of the line to catch a furlough draft bound for New Zealand. Monty had been an original of 20 Battalion. He was C.O. of 26 Battalion when hostilities ended.

Medals and awards

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
1939-1945 Star
Africa Star (8th Army clasp)
Italy Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf
New Zealand War Service Medal
Coronation Medal 1953
Efficiency Decoration and 4 bars (ED****)

Biography

Brigade Major of 5 NZ Infantry Brigade, June 1942-43.
Commanding Officer (CO) of 21 Battalion, 23 Battalion, and 28 (Maori) Battalion, April - December 1943.
General Staff Officer grade 2 (GSO2), June 1944.
CO of 26 Battalion, October 1944 - September 1945.
Commandant of 2 NZ Expeditionary Force Advanced Base, September 1945.
Associate Editor, War Histories, 1946
Commissioned Brigadier and commanded 2 NZ Infantry Brigade, 1951-56.
Associate Member of Army Board, 1955-60.
Chairman of War Pensions Board, 1963.

• Source: 28th Maori Battallion Roll Call
• Source: Auckland Museum