Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Reidy

After holding a commission in a territorial regiment prior to the war, Colonel Reidy took a short-service commission in the New Zealand Staff Corps in 1939, with the rank of captain. He held various appointments in New Zealand, including commandant of the Central District School of Instruction, adjutant of Trentham Mobilisation Camp, commandant of Dannevirke Military Camp, A and Q Army Reserve Field Force, and Staff Officer (Movements) at Army Headquarters. On Japan's entry into the war, Colonel Reidy was sent to Fiji as brigade major of 14th Brigade, and later as second-in-command of 37th Battalion. Returning to New Zealand, he became brigade major of the Brigade. In New Caledonia, he commanded the 1st Ruahine Battalion and the 29th Battalion for periods, before ultimately becoming second-in-command of 34th Battalion in May 1943. On 1 December 1943 he assumed command of 34th Battalion, and held that appointment until the final dissolution of the division.