Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Merriman
3rd Reconnaissance Regiment

By his cool determination, initiative, and courage, his detailed planning and encouragement, he succeeded in carrying out his commander’s intentions with complete success … this is due in no small measure to the very gallant handling by Lt Col Merriman of his regiment in their speedy and determined thrust in the heavily defended and close country of this area of operations.

(D.S.O. citation, 21 Jun 1945)

Born on 23 May 1910 in Merrow, Surrey, Hugh Humphrey Merriman was a stockbroker and Terriorial Army officer in the 5th Battalion, Queen’s Regiment. He earned the Military Cross during the Battle of France in May 1940. In October 1942, he succeeded future airborne general Eric Bols in command of the 3rd Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, redesignated the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment in January 1944.

Six months later, after vigorous training under Merriman’s direction, he led the regiment ashore in Normandy just after D-Day. He commanded through the Battle of Caen to the invasion of German and the end of war, earning the D.S.O.

He commanded the 5th Queen’s Regiment in the postwar Territorial Army and returned to his stockbroker career. By the 1950s, he was senior partner in one of the leading stockjobber firms for the London Stock Exchange, and in the 1970s, he was chairman.

He died on 28 September 1983.