Harold Barrowclough

Who was Harold Barrowclough?

Major General Sir Harold Eric Barrowclough KCMG CB PC DSO* MC ED was a New Zealand military leader, lawyer and Chief Justice from 1953 to 1966.

Born in Masterton, Barrowclough commenced legal studies in 1913 and joined the Territorial Force the same year. In 1915, partway through his law degree, he volunteered for service abroad with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and fought on the Western Front. He finished the First World War in command of a battalion in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. After the war he finished his law studies and became a successful lawyer. He also resumed duty in the Territorial Force, serving until 1931 when he moved to Auckland to join a law firm based there.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War Barrowclough volunteered for service with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He commanded an infantry brigade in the 2nd New Zealand Division during the campaign in Greece and Operation Crusader. In 1942 he was recommended for divisional command by his superior officer, Major General Bernard Freyberg, and was given the 3rd Division which he led through the Solomon Islands campaign.