Joseph Peart

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Norris Peart, DSO, MiD (12 February, 1900 – 4 September, 1942) was a New Zealand army officer and the fourth Headmaster of King's College. He served in the army during World War II and was killed at El Alamein during the Battle of Alam el Halfa at the age of 42.

Joseph Norris Peart

DSO MiD
Born12 February 1900
Collingwood, New Zealand
Died4 September 1942 (aged 42)
El Alamein, Egypt
Allegiance New Zealand
Service/branch New Zealand Army
Years of service1939–1942
RankLieutenant Colonel
Service number2571
Commands held8th Battalion
26th Battalion
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards

Early life

Peart was born in Collingwood, Tasman District to Alfred and Salina Peart.[1] He was an alumnus of Auckland Grammar School, and a graduate of Cambridge University. After graduation, Peart pursued a career in education.

Headmastership

In 1937, Peart was appointed as the fourth Headmaster of King's College, an independent secondary school in Middlemore.[2] During his tenure as Headmaster, Peart was remembered by his students as being youthful and as being a disciplinarian.[3]

Military service

Shortly after the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Peart enlisted in the New Zealand Army and was granted a commission as a Major.[4] His first posting was as the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in Greece and Crete. From November 1941 to March 1942, Peart was the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 18th Battalion. Later, from 1 May, 1942, he was the CO of the 26th Battalion. During his military service, Peart was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[4] The citation for this award reads as thus:

"For outstanding leadership, bravery and determination. At El Mreir Depression on the night 21/22 July, 1942 Lieutenant Colonel Peart led his Battalion in the 6 (NZ) Infantry Brigade attack on El Mreir Depression ... During all the fighting Lieutenant Colonel Peart was constantly moving about among his men encouraging them and at all times setting a high example of courage and perseverance. It is due to his outstanding leadership, determination and sound judgement that the Battalion remains a fighting unit."[4]

Peart was killed on 4 September, 1942 at El Alamein during the Battle of Alam el Halfa and he is buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.[4]

Legacy
gollark: At one time my foot ended up hurting a lot when I was walking, it turned out to have been some kind of tendon thing which randomly went away.
gollark: Or concentrated hydrofluoric acid.
gollark: Fine, I'll add the peach juice I have somewhere.
gollark: ++ban <@319753218592866315>
gollark: No, my opinion is right, I know because my opinion is that my opinion is right.

See also

References
  1. , New Zealand War Graves Project.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-17. Retrieved 2013-09-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), King's College Website.
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2013-09-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Peart House Handbook 2013.
  4. , Auckland War Museum Archives.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.