Most decorated · 18 medals and honours, 3 for gallantry
Brigadier James Burrows
Jim Burrows was a Christchurch schoolteacher, All Black tourist and Territorial officer who became one of the 2nd New Zealand Division's most successful brigade commanders in the Second World War, winning the DSO and a bar and, by the Cenotaph's reckoning, a Greek Cross of Valour. He later commanded Kayforce in Korea. He was born in 1904 and so did not serve in the First World War; he is included here only because the page ranks by whole-career honours.
He did not serve in the First World War: he was born in 1904. His medals are from the Territorials, the Second World War and Korea.
18medals and honours
3of them for gallantry
His medals and honours
Won for gallantry
Gallantry award
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
27/28 June and 14/15 July 1942 · Minqar Qaim and Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt/Libya · Lieutenant-Colonel (acting commander 4th NZ Infantry Brigade), 20th Battalion, commanding 4th NZ Infantry Brigade
Gazetted: London Gazette 35799 (supplement), p.5141, 26 November 1942
Burrows won the DSO for two night actions in the Western Desert in mid-1942, both fought while he was standing in as commander of the 4th Brigade. At Minqar Qaim on the night of 27/28 June the New Zealand Division was surrounded by German armour, and the 4th Brigade was told to smash a way out with the bayonet. Burrows carried out the breakout with skill and coolness, and his own courage steadied the men around him. At Ruweisat Ridge on 14/15 July he again led the brigade in a night attack. When the leading battalions had become scattered and out of touch, he decided to push the reserve battalion through to the objective, and did so with fine resolution. Promised British tanks failed to arrive at dawn and the brigade was overrun; Burrows was taken prisoner but escaped, and was back with the brigade within a short time. The citation praised his coolness and personal example in both operations.
Te Ara gives 'October 1942' and the Cenotaph cites 'NZ Gazette 21 September 1944' (almost certainly the later NZ-side republication); the London Gazette date of 26 November 1942 is the primary source. The Cenotaph transcript writes the first action as 17/18 June, but Minqar Qaim was 27/28 June.
Counted in his gallantry totalSource: London Gazette 35799 p.5141 (read, local PDF); Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas; Online Cenotaph record C33581, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33581 (citation wording); 20 Battalion and Armoured Regiment (NZ Official History), https://www.22battalion.org.nz/publications/histories/20battalion.pdf
Foreign gallantry award
Cross of Valour (Greece) (listed in Official History as 'Order of Valour (Gk)')
Not found (for the 1941 Greece/Crete campaign, presumably) · Greece / Crete (presumed) · Lieutenant-Colonel, 20th Battalion
Gazetted: Not found
A Greek gallantry decoration for bravery or distinguished leadership on the battlefield; the grade and the act for which he received it have not been found. He served in the Greek campaign (March-April 1941) and in the Maleme counter-attack on Crete (May 1941), where he commanded the 20th Battalion in the night attack on the airfield.
Unverified beyond two secondary records: the Cenotaph ('Cross of Valour (Greece)') and the Official History biographical footnote ('Order of Valour (Gk)'). No gazette, citation or date located. Treated as foreign gallantry (counted) but the weakest item in the list.
Counted in his gallantry totalSource: Online Cenotaph record C33581, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33581; 20 Battalion and Armoured Regiment (NZ Official History), https://www.22battalion.org.nz/publications/histories/20battalion.pdf (footnote 4); Wikipedia, 'Cross of Valour (Greece)'
Bar: a second award
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Operations in Italy, July-August 1944 · Arezzo to Florence, Italy (Lignano, Cerbaia, San Michele) · Brigadier (temporary), 6th NZ Infantry Brigade (commander July-August 1944)
Gazetted: London Gazette 37072 (supplement), p.2454, 10 May 1945; NZ Gazette, 30 April 1946 (citation, per Cenotaph)
Burrows was given a bar to his DSO for leading the 6th New Zealand Infantry Brigade in the advance from Arezzo on to Florence in July-August 1944. His brigade met repeated German counter-attacks around Lignano, Cerbaia and San Michele, and the way he handled the defence forced the enemy to give up key ground. The published citation speaks of outstanding devotion to duty and of distinguished and gallant service throughout the operations. He had also led the 5th Brigade at Cassino earlier in 1944, and with the 4th Brigade in 1942 he commanded all three of the Division's infantry brigades at one time or another.
Wikipedia and Te Ara disagree on the date (1944 versus March 1945); the London Gazette notice of 10 May 1945 is taken as the formal gazetting. The NZ Gazette citation date of 30 April 1946 is from the Cenotaph transcript.
Counted in his gallantry totalSource: London Gazette 37072 p.2454 (read, local PDF); Online Cenotaph record C33581, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33581; Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas; Wikipedia, Jim Burrows (army officer)
Every other medal and honour (15)
Efficiency Decoration (ED)By 1945 (exact date not found) · New Zealand Territorial ForceLong-service decoration for officers of the Territorial Force; he was a Territorial officer (captain) before the war. Held by 1945.1939-1945 StarAwarded for service 1939-45Operational service in the Second World War (Greece, Crete and the Western Desert).Africa Star (with 8th Army clasp)Awarded for service 1940-43Service in North Africa; the 8th Army clasp (not counted separately) is for service with that army between October 1942 and May 1943.Italy StarAwarded for service 1943-45Service in the Italian campaign, 1944 (5th and 6th Brigades).Defence MedalAwarded for service 1939-45Non-operational wartime service qualifying for the Defence Medal.War Medal 1939-1945 (with oak leaf)Awarded for full-time service 1939-45Full-time service in the Second World War; the oak leaf is the emblem for the mention in despatches already counted above.New Zealand War Service MedalAwarded for Second World War serviceNew Zealand's own medal for Second World War service.Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 19531953Commemorative medal for the 1953 Coronation.Korea Medal (Queen Elizabeth II issue)1953-54 · KoreaService in Korea as commander of the New Zealand force (Kayforce), November 1953 to November 1954.United Nations Medal for Korea1953-54 · KoreaUnited Nations service medal for Korea.New Zealand Operational Service Medal1953-54 · Korea/JapanNew Zealand's operational service medal, here for service with Kayforce in Korea and Japan.Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Military Division1 January 1959 (New Year Honours) · New ZealandAppointed an Ordinary Commander of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire in the 1959 New Year Honours for his senior service in the New Zealand Army: he commanded Kayforce in Korea and Japan in…Bar to the Efficiency Decoration (first)Not foundFirst bar to the ED for further long Territorial/Regular service.Bar to the Efficiency Decoration (second)Not foundSecond bar to the ED.Mentioned in DespatchesNot found (Second World War) · Not statedAt least one mention in despatches for his Second World War service. Counted once as a single emblem item.
His story
Teacher and sportsman
Born at Prebbleton and schooled at Christchurch Boys' High (1918-22); he was a school cadet officer in 1922, taught from 1923, played rugby and cricket for Canterbury, toured South Africa with the 1928 All Blacks and coached the All Blacks in 1937. He was a Territorial captain. He was 14 when the First World War ended and had no First World War service.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas
Volunteers for the 2nd NZEF
Reported to Burnham Camp on 27 September 1939 and took the Southland Company of what became the 20th Battalion; the battalion left Lyttelton on 5 January 1940 for Egypt.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas
Greece and Crete
After the rearguard fighting in Greece he was evacuated to Crete on 27 April. As acting commander of the 20th Battalion he led the night counter-attack on Maleme airfield on 21/22 May, then was evacuated to Alexandria on 31 May.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas; 20 Battalion and Armoured Regiment (NZ Official History), https://www.22battalion.org.nz/publications/histories/20battalion.pdf
Minqar Qaim and Ruweisat Ridge
Led the 4th Brigade's breakout at Minqar Qaim (27/28 June) and its night attack on Ruweisat Ridge (14/15 July). Captured on the ridge, he escaped and returned to his unit. DSO gazetted 26 November 1942.
Source: London Gazette 35799; Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas
Italy: 5th and 6th Brigades
Commanded the 5th Brigade at Cassino (from March 1944) and the 6th Brigade in the advance on Florence, earning a bar to the DSO (gazetted 10 May 1945); he thereby commanded all three NZ infantry brigades.
Source: London Gazette 37072; Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas
Rector of Waitaki Boys' High School
Appointed rector in October 1944 while still in Italy, took up the post at the beginning of 1945 and resigned in 1949 after a staffing dispute.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas
Regular Force and Korea
Re-joined as a regular officer, commanded the Southern Military District from 1951, took Kayforce to Korea and Japan in November 1953 until November 1954, then returned to the Southern District until 1960. CBE in the 1959 New Year Honours.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas; London Gazette 41591
Civil defence and retirement
Regional commissioner for civil defence 1960-72; honorary colonel 1960-66; published his autobiography 'Pathway Among Men' (1974); died at Christchurch on 10 June 1991.
Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, 'Burrows, James Thomas' (Gordon Ogilvie), https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b52/burrows-james-thomas; generals.dk
Rank and insignia
The ranks he held, and the badge a soldier of that rank wore. These are simplified illustrations.
Captainto 1939 · Territorial ForceShoulder strap: three pipsMajor1939-41 · 2i/c 20 BattalionShoulder strap: crownActing/Lieutenant-Colonel30 April 1941 / 8 December 1941Shoulder strap: crown and one pipTemporary Brigadier1942 · 4 Bde, actingShoulder strap: crown and three pipsTemporary Colonel then Temporary BrigadierJanuary 1944 · 5 Bde, 6 BdeShoulder strap: crown and two pipsBrigadier6 November 1951 · substantiveShoulder strap: crown and three pips
Retired19 June 1960; honorary colonel to 1966Rank badge not drawn for this entry
His ships
SS DuneraTroopship to EgyptEmbarked from Wellington/Lyttelton on 5 January 1940 with 20 Battalion (per a search summary of the Cenotaph record; not independently checked)
Afterwards
After the war Burrows led Waitaki Boys' High School as rector (1945-49), then returned to the Army in 1948-51 and served as a regular officer: 3rd Brigade, Papakura Camp, Southern Military District, and Kayforce in Korea (November 1953 to November 1954). He retired in 1960 as honorary colonel of the 2nd Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and spent twelve more years as regional commissioner for civil defence.
In retirement he wrote 'Pathway Among Men' (1974), served Rotary, the Canterbury graduates' association, the Charles Upham Trust and the Lottery Profits Board, and raised funds for the Army Museum at Waiouru. He died in Christchurch on 10 June 1991; his son Ian also became a brigadier.
Later awards, not counted here: DSO (LG 35799, 26 Nov 1942); Bar to DSO (LG 37072, 10 May 1945); Mention in Despatches; Cross of Valour (Greece); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star (8th Army); Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal with oak leaf; NZ War Service Medal.
This is the Service Record sign as we would make it from his record: his rank, name, regiment, number and date of embarkation. The medals on the sign are worked out automatically, so the medals listed above are the ones to rely on.
The Service Record
Photograph
We haven’t hosted a photograph here
Rather than copy someone else’s image onto our own site, we’d rather send you to see it where it’s properly held: his full record at the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph.
WW1: he did NOT serve in the First World War. Born 1904 (aged 14 at the Armistice); the Cenotaph lists only Territorial service, WWII and Korea, and Te Ara has him a school cadet officer in 1922. This strongly argues against listing him as a New Zealander of that war; he qualifies only if the page is open to all NZ servicemen.
The brief's 'Canterbury Infantry / NZ Staff Corps / 1st Canterbury Battalion / 2nd NZ Infantry Brigade' does not match the sources: he was a Territorial officer who commanded 20 Battalion, then the 4th, 5th and 6th Brigades.
Birth date: Te Ara, Wikipedia 13 July 1904; Cenotaph, generals.dk 14 July 1904.
Reconciled duplicates: Cenotaph 'DSO and bar' counted as DSO + bar (2); 'ED and 2 bars' as ED + 2 bars (3); MiD listed separately and as 'War Medal with oak leaf' counted once (MiD) with the War Medal counted separately; Africa Star 8th Army clasp not counted.
Unverified items: Greek Cross of Valour (Cenotaph and Official History 'Order of Valour (Gk)'; no gazette/date found), the two ED bars (Cenotaph only; 1959 Gazette shows 'E.D.' only), MiD (no gazette found, number of mentions unknown), Defence Medal, NZ Operational Service Medal.
DSO date: Cenotaph cites NZ Gazette 21 Sept 1944; Te Ara says October 1942; the London Gazette (26 Nov 1942) is primary. Bar: Wikipedia says 1944, Te Ara March 1945; LG 10 May 1945; NZ Gazette citation 30 April 1946 per Cenotaph.
No Silver Jubilee or later commemorative medals were found in the sources; none counted.
Papers Past and the NZ Gazette were not accessible (blocked/rate limited), so the MiD and ED bar dates remain unfound.
