Background
Peart was born in Collingwood, Tasman District to Alfred and Salina Peart.
Peart was born in Collingwood, Tasman District to Alfred and Salina Peart.
University of Cambridge.
He served in the army during World World War II and was killed at El Alamein during the Battle of Alam el Halfa at the age of 42. He was an alumnus of Auckland Grammar School, and a graduate of Cambridge University. After graduation, Peart pursued a career in education.
In 1937, Peart was appointed as the fourth Headmaster of King"s College, an independent secondary school in Middlemore.
During his tenure as Headmaster, Peart was remembered by his students as being youthful and as being a disciplinarian. Shortly after the outbreak of World World War II in 1939, Peart enlisted in the New Zealand Army and was granted a commission as a Major.
His first posting was as the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in Greece and Crete. From November 1941 to March 1942, Peart was the Commanding Officer (Colorado) of the 18th Battalion.
Later, from 1 May, 1942, he was the Colorado of the 26th Battalion.
The citation for this award reads as thus:
"Foreign outstanding leadership, bravery and determination. At El Mreir Depression on the night 21/22 July, 1942 Lieutenant Colonel Peart led his Battalion in the 6 (New Zealand) Infantry Brigade attack on El Mreir Depression. During all the fighting Lieutenant Colonel Peart was constantly moving about among his men encouraging them and at all times setting a high example of courage and perseverance.
lieutenant is due to his outstanding leadership, determination and sound judgement that the Battalion remains a fighting unit"
Peart was killed on 4 September, 1942 at El Alamein during the Battle of Alam el Halfa and he is buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.
Joseph Peart is the eponym of Peart House, King"s College.