Ref.no. Photo supplied by Bregman family. All rights reserved.
Rank:
Commander
Birth date:
10.03.1934
Birth Place:
Hamilton, New Zealand
Service Number:
R460016 (RNZN)
Date Joined:
1955 (RNZN)
Date Discharged:
1989
Death date:
2023
Display No. 20B
BREGMEN, George Edward
George Bregmen joined the RNZN on 15 January 1953 as a Stoker. He undertook his basic training at HMNZS Tamaki and branch training at the naval base Philomel. His first sea posting was to the cruiser HMNZS Black Prince from 3 November 1953. In June 1954 his branch was re-designated as Stoker Mechanician.
Between 1954 and 1960 Bregmen was posted to a number of ships, including: HMNZS Bellona, HMNZS Stawell, HMNZS Paea, HMNZS Kaniere, and HMNZS Royalist. While posted to Paea, Bregmen was promoted to Acting Leading Mechanician, he would become a Petty Officer in 1962.
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s Bregmen had a variety of roles. Highlights from this time include being part of HMNZS Waikato’s (F55) commissioning crew; serving in the fisheries patrol motor launches HMNZS Kahawai and Paea; joining the staff of Commodore Auckland (COMAUCK); and finally a posting to the hydrographic survey vessel HMNZS Lachlan.
Bregmen was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in March 1972. Having extended his service with the RNZN to 20 years, he was discharged from the RNZN in January 1973.
Awarded medal(s)
The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
The New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealanders (military and civilians) who have served since the end of the Second World War. The NZOSM provides recognition for those who have earned a campaign medal or completed 7 days or more of operational service since 3 September 1945. It is awarded once only to an individual, regardless of how many times he or she has deployed on operations. The medal features the New Zealand Coat of Arms on the obverse and a kiwi on the reverse. The ribbon is black and white stripes, representative of New Zealand’s national colours.
The Royal New Zealand Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was instituted in 1985, to replace the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, with eligibility being backdated to 1 December, 1977. It is awarded to naval ratings up to and including the rank of Warrant Officer who have completed 14 years unblemished service.
New Zealand Defence Service Medal
The New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) was instituted in April 2011 to recognise military service since the end of the Second World War. One or more of four clasps can be awarded with the medal determined by military service undertaken: Regular, Territorial, C.M.T. (Compulsory Military Training) and National Service.
Eligibility is three years of service in either the Regular or Territorial (Reserve) Forces of the New Zealand Defence Force (Navy, Army, Airforce), or those who undertook Compulsory Military Training (under the Military Training Act 1949) or National Service (under the National Military Service Act 1962).
The medal itself has the New Zealand fern frond and the badge of the New Zealand Defence Force which combines the emblems of the (Navy, Army and Air Force). The ribbon colours also represent the three services: Navy (dark blue), Army (red) and Air Force (light blue).
Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal
Awarded by the Malaysian Government to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces who served in the prescribed operational area of Malaysia and Singapore during the “Confrontation” and Emergency” periods (1957-1966). The ribbon has five vertical stripes in the colours of the Malaysian national flag.