Walter McKinnon
| Walter Sneddon McKinnon | |
|---|---|
| Born |
8 July 1910 Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Died | 20 May 1998 (aged 87) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1935–67 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
Chief of the General Staff Southern Military District Northern Military District |
| Battles/wars |
Second World War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mentioned in Despatches |
| Other work | Chairman of New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation |
Second World War
Major General Walter Sneddon McKinnon, CB, CBE (8 July 1910 – 20 May 1998) was an officer in the New Zealand Army. He joined the military in 1935 and served in the Second World War with various artillery units of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. After the war he held a series of senior positions in the army, culminating with a term as Chief of the General Staff from 1965 to 1967. In his retirement, he was Chairman of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.
McKinnon was born in Invercargill. He earned a degree in science from the University of Otago before joining the New Zealand Military Forces in 1935. He married Anna Plimmer in 1937, and the couple would go on to have four children.
When the Second World War broke out, McKinnon was in England on an artillery training course. He joined the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and served with the 3rd New Zealand Division during the campaign in the Solomon Islands. He was initially commander of the 28th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment but when his unit was disbanded in July 1942 he took over 29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. With his regiment, he landed landed on the Treasury and Green Islands. When the division was demobilised in 1944, he returned to England to attend the Staff College at Camberley. After completing his staff course, he joined the 2nd New Zealand Division, at the time fighting in Italy with the Eighth Army, along with other artillery officers who had served in the Pacific. Arriving in Italy in February 1945, he was second-in-command of firstly 4th Field Regiment and then 6th Field Regiment.
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