William Meldrum | |
|---|---|
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| Nickname(s) | "Fix-Bayonets Bill" |
| Born | 28 July 1865 Kamo, Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Died | 13 February 1964 (aged 98) Burnham, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | New Zealand Military Forces |
| Years of service | 1900–1920 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands | New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (1917–19) Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment (1914–17) 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles (1914) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches (4) Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration Order of the White Eagle (Serbia) |
Brigadier General William Meldrum CB, CMG, DSO, VD (28 July 1865 – 13 February 1964) was a New Zealand lawyer, farmer, military leader, magistrate and local politician.
Born in the Northland region of New Zealand in 1865, Meldrum studied law after completing his schooling. A talented sportsman, he played representative rugby and cricket for Auckland. He was a barrister and solicitor practicing in Auckland initially before moving south to the Rangitikei District. He continued to work in the legal profession but also took up farming and was involved in local body politics. He was also prominent in the local militia, establishing a unit of mounted rifle volunteers. During the First World War, he volunteered for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and commanded the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment during the Gallipoli campaign and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. By late 1917, he was a brigadier-general and commander of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. Returning to New Zealand after the war, he resumed practicing law. He later moved to Greymouth where he became the local magistrate and also served as the town's mayor. He died at Burnham Camp in 1964 at age of 98.