Chief Ranger Peter King (right) and Billy Brennan on the Copland Pass, 1960.

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DescriptionBushlife NZ

Chief Ranger Peter King (right) and Billy Brennan on the Copland Pass, 1960.
King served as the first Westland National Park chief ranger and was instrumental in the reopening of the Copland track and facilities in the early 1960s. He was an interesting character, internationally famous for his exploits in WWII (made into a 2002 movie called Two Men Went to War), he was also decorated for valour during the Korean War in the New Zealand Army.
Peter Frank King DSO MC ,30 October 1916 – 12 December 1962, was born in Caxton, Cambridgeshire, UK. King joined the Dental Corps in 1939 and served as a non-technician, excelling as a weapons instructor. He spent two years in this role and then tried to transfer to a fighting unit. This was refused. King was so frustrated that he and another Soldier, Pte Leslie Cuthbertson, took matters in their own hands; planning and executing their own unofficial and unauthorised raid on occupied France.
The two men stole weapons, grenades and a motor-boat. They landed in France, where they attempted to cut a railway line using a hand grenade, among other activities. After three days, King and Cuthbertson stole a French motor boat to return to England. They ended up adrift in the Channel for twelve days until picked up by an Air Sea Rescue launch.They were initially treated as spies. Cuthbertson's and King's exploits were told in a book, The Amateur Commandos and the film, Two Men Went to War was based on them.
Both men were court-martialled in July 1942. King lost his sergeant's rank but he was posted to the Commando training base at Achnacarry, as a private. After training, he was posted to No. 4 Commando, on the request of its commander, Lord Lovat who had heard of his French adventures. King was a highly successful recruit to the Commandos and by D Day had become a Troop Sergeant Major.
King fought in Normandy and further distinguished himself, during the Battle of the Scheldt. He was commissioned in the field and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
He also earned the Military Cross for crossing into enemy territory on Schouwen from North Beveland, for three days' reconnaissance and artillery "spotting".
King emigrated to New Zealand in 1946 and worked as a factory manager in Christchurch and as a bushman at Otautau, Southland. He joined the New Zealand Army in November 1950 for service in Korea with Kayforce.
In November 1951, King—now a Captain with the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery—and a signaller, Gunner Derek Rixon, manned a forward artillery observation post (OP) for NZ artillery supporting a company of Scottish troops on Hill 355. The first large scale Chinese attack was broken up by the guns but, when their OP's communications were cut, the two men joined in the close-quarters defence of the hill, each becoming wounded. After two hours, the position was abandoned and Rixon carried King to safety. For his "tenacity, commitment and courage", King was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Rixon received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his "fine example of courage, commitment and comradeship while fighting alongside his officer". King was described as "the genius of gunner observers" by a Scottish infantryman. From July to September 1952, King commanded 161 Battery before his return to New Zealand.
After the war King married Dorothy Woodham Graham, on 18 April 1959 at Blenheim. The couple subsequently had a son and a daughter. He retired from the Army in 1960 and worked for the New Zealand Forest Service at Otautau before being appointed as the first Chief Park Ranger of Westland National Park in 1960.
Sadly Peter drowned on 12 December 1962. He was travelling to a meeting in Hokitika when his car, out of control, went into Lake Wahapo, South Westland. He is buried at Whataroa, South Westland.
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.Date of Photo1960Map^[1]

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Location (city or town)Copland PassPersonBilly Brennan Peter KingEventChief Ranger Peter King (right) and Billy Brennan on the Copland Pass, 1960.

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Date Created16th July 2026

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Chief Ranger Peter King (right) and Billy Brennan on the Copland Pass, 1960.

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