Leslie Andrew: “Cool Daring, Initiative, and Fine Leadership” at La Basse-Ville

Andrew’s Early Years

Leslie Wilton Andrew was born in Ashhurst (Manawatu) on 23 March 1897. He began his ‘soldiering’ with the Avenue School Cadets in Whanganui and attended Whanganui Boys’ High School and Whanganui Collegiate. After he finished school, he worked in a solicitor’s office and as a clerk with the Railways, as well as being involved with the Territorial Force.

When war broke out, Andrew lied about his age, enlisting in 1915; he actually would not reach the official age of 20 until March 1917.

Following a period of training, in September 1916, he found himself on the Somme (Western Front). just eight days after joining the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, he was wounded in the neck.

VC at La Basse Ville

The actions, which led to his Victoria Cross, took place on 31 July 1917, when his battalion attacked La Basse-Ville. Andrew at the head of a party of Wellington-West Coast Company men had the mission of attacking and destroying a German Garrison in a two-storied building beyond La Basse-Ville on the Warneton Road.

As they moved to their objective, they saw the 15th Platoon of Ruahine Company, under Lieutenant Bliss, run into trouble after coming under heavy fire from machine guns. A number of men were killed and the platoon was cut off from the rest of the men.

Andrew decided to act quickly, and as his section provided covering fire, Andrew led several men along the railway line and took the machine gun crews by surprise. He then went on to take out further machine gun posts, using hand grenades. His citation reads:

“For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of a small party in an attack on the enemy’s position. His objective was a machine gun post which had been located in an isolated building. On leading his men forward he encountered unexpectedly a machine gun post which was holding up the advance of another company; he immediately attacked, capturing the machine gun and killing several of the crew. He then continued the attack on the machine gun post which had been his original objective. He displayed great skill and determination in his disposition, finally capturing the post, killing several of the enemy and putting the remainder to flight. Cpl. Andrew’s conduct throughout was unexampled for cool daring, initiative, and fine leadership, and his magnificent-example was a great stimulant to his comrades.”

After WWI

In March 1918, Andrew was commissioned. After the war he joined the New Zealand Staff Corps. He was attached to the British Army from 1927 – 1929 and served in India with the Highland Light Infantry. He was Staff Officer of the New Zealand Contingent for the coronation of King George VI in 1937. He occupied other administrative posts until the outbreak of World War II when he was given command of 22 Battalion.

He was a strict disciplinarian and earned the nickname “Old February” because he often handed the men 28-day punishments for various misdemeanours. In his role as Battalion Commander, he saw some action on Greece and was evacuated to Crete in 1941. In May, when the Germans launched their invasion, he was given the task of holding the airfield at Maleme and the neighbouring hill, Point 107. Unfortunately, he was forced to spread his companies thinly and when the assault began, his communications failed him and he lost touch with those under his command. He appealed for support to his superior Brigadier James Hargest, but he was let down. Believing that three of his companies had been overrun, he pulled back from his positions and the Germans moved in.

After WWII

Andrew was heavily criticised for his part in the Crete failure, even though he distinguished himself in the Western Desert where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for outstanding leadership. He returned to New Zealand in February 1942, where he commanded the Wellington Fortress Area.

After World War II, he commanded the New Zealand Victory Contingent to London in 1946 and later commanded the Central Military District until his retirement, as Brigadier in 1952. Brigadier Leslie Wilton Andrew died in Palmerston North on 8 January 1969, age 72.

We are very proud to have Leslie Andrew’s medals on display at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa. If you wish to see them, they are in the Valour Alcove in our Medal Repository. 

Leslie Andrew’s Medals from L-R: Victoria Cross (VC), Distinguished Service Order (DSO), British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, New Zealand War Service Medal, Coronation Medal 1937, Coronation Medal 1953, New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal.