Former Army chief dies

Former Army chief Major General Bruce Meldrum has died, aged 68.

He held the Army's top job as Chief of General Staff from March 1989 to February 1992.

A tank specialist, Maj Gen Meldrum attended Royal Military College Duntroon, Australia, emerging as a top cadet with the Queen's Medal.

Training on tanks followed in Britain and Australia, then he became a troop commander at Waiouru and eventually chief instructor at the School of Armour at the central plateau army base.

A short tour with the US 11th Armoured Cavalry Regiment in South Vietnam in 1966 preceded a two-year posting at Army HQ before he served at HQ NZ Force Far East in Singapore 1969-71 and at HQ NZ V Force, Saigon.

On his return to New Zealand, he rose quickly through command ranks. General Meldrum's funeral with full military honours will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Auckland on Tuesday, followed by a private family committal.

- NZPA