BEST, Charles Cairn

Biography:

A member of the Sealey Best family, who owned and operated the Best Varnish works on Rosebank from the 1880s (his father was Charles Best), Best was born in Auckland on 26 January 1894. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School, and was ranked 89th equal out of well over 740 candidates in a 1911 junior civil service exam. On enlistment in 1915 as a private, he worked as a surveyor for the Government. During the First World War, he served with the NZ Rifle Brigade. Amongst the courses of instruction he undertook were ones on Lewis gun operation, bombing, and an intelligence officer's course including aerial photography, topography and scouting. Held rank of captain in the reserves in 1919, and was awarded the Military Cross for valour in France. He married Jean McBride in 1923.

1934-1939, he was acting sub-lieutenant in the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (based at Singapore).

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