Leslie Andrew

Leslie Wilton Andrew
A portrait of Leslie Andrew, a captain at the time, in 1935
Born	(1897-03-23)23 March 1897 Ashhurst, Manawatu, New Zealand
Died	8 January 1969(1969-01-08) (aged 71) Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
Buried	Levin RSA Cemetery, Levin, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	New Zealand Military Forces
Years of service	1915–52
Rank	Brigadier
Service number	30250[1]
Commands held	Wellington Fortress Area 5th Infantry Brigade 22nd Battalion
Battles/wars	First World War Battle of Flers-Courcelette  (WIA) Battle of Messines Battle of Passchendaele Battle of Pilckem Ridge  (WIA) Second World War Battle of Greece Battle of Crete  (WIA) North African campaign Operation Crusader Home Front
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Mention in Despatches

Brigadier Leslie Wilton Andrew, VC, DSO (23 March 1897 – 8 January 1969) was a senior officer in the New Zealand Military Forces and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy". He received the decoration for his actions during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.

Andrew joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force as a private in 1915, having gained military experience while serving with the Territorial Force. He saw action on the Western Front from September 1916 to early 1918, and ended the war as an officer in England. He remained in the military after the cessation of hostilities, and joined the New Zealand Staff Corps. He held staff and administrative positions in New Zealand and, while on an officer exchange program, British India.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Andrew was appointed commander of the 22nd Battalion, which he led during the Battles of Greece and Crete as well as the early part of the North African Campaign. For a short period in late 1941 he commanded an infantry brigade of the 2nd New Zealand Division, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership. He returned to New Zealand in 1942 and commanded the Wellington Fortress Area for the remainder of the war. He retired from the military in 1952 with the rank of brigadier, and died in 1969 aged 71.