Born in 1911, Sir Bernard was educated at Eton and Sandhurst. He served with distinction in the Second World War - as Brigade Major 46th Infantry in 1940; in the Middle East in 1941; General Staff Officer, Wingate's Chindits (1943-44); and Director of Combined Operations (1945-46). Post-war positions included command of the 1st Battalion Black Watch (1948-51). He retired in 1958.
When he became Governor-General in 1962, Sir Bernard followed in the footsteps of both his grandfathers, Sir James Fergusson and the Earl of Glasgow, who were Governors of New Zealand; and his father, Sir Charles Fergusson, who was Governor-General from 1924 to 1930.
Sir Bernard was the author of 13 books. He was created Life Peer in 1972, taking the title Baron of Ballantrae after his hometown in Ayrshire, Scotland. He died in 1980.
Biographical information courtesy of NZ Almanack
Read Sir Bernard Fergusson's biography on Wikipedia