Bernard Fergusson

 

Rt Hon. Lord Ballantrae
10th Governor-General of New Zealand
In office 1962 – 1967
Preceded by	The Viscount Cobham
Succeeded by	Sir Arthur Porritt
Born	9 May 1911(1911-05-09)
Died	28 November 1980 (aged 69)
Nationality	British

Bernard Edward Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae, KT, GCMG, GCVO, DSO, OBE (6 May 1911 – 28 November 1980) was a brigadier in the British Army, military historian and Governor-General of New Zealand. He served as Chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 1973 until his death.

Fergusson was educated at Eton and Sandhurst. He was elevated to a Life Peerage in 1972 as Baron Ballantrae, of Auchairne in the County of Ayrshire and The Bay of Islands in New Zealand.

Both of his grandfathers, Sir James Fergusson, 6th Baronet and the 7th Earl of Glasgow, were Governors of New Zealand, and his father Sir Charles Fergusson was also Governor-General of New Zealand. His son George is currently British High Commissioner to New Zealand.

Military service

From Sandhurst Fergusson was commissioned into the Black Watch. He served in Palestine and became ADC to General Wavell. On the outbreak of war Fergusson was serving as Brigade Major for the 46th Infantry Brigade in 1940 before becoming a General Staff Officer in the Middle East . In October 1943 Fergusson was given command of the 16th Infantry Brigade which was converted into a Chindit formation for operations in the deep jungles of Burma miles behind Japanese lines. He commanded this brigade throughout the Chindit operations of 1944 before becoming Director of Combined Operations from 1945 - 1946. After the Second World War he held various positions, including command of the famous 1st Battalion, Black Watch and retired in 1958.