BRITISH, ALLIED & COMMONWEALTH FORCES

BERNARD FREYBERG

Commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Battle of Crete, Freyberg had been the youngest general in the British Army when he served during the First World War. Freyberg bounced back from defeat in Crete with successful campaigns in the North African theatre, including at the Second Battle of El Alamein.

ANDREW CUNNINGHAM

As Commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean fleet Cunningham was in charge of several key naval battles during World War II and protecting supply lines in the region. He was made First Sea Lord in 1943, a role he held until his retirement in 1946. He was also Lord High Steward for the coronation of Elizabeth II.