Author: Matthew K Barrett

Lt-Col. A.B.S. Clarke

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Lieutenant-Colonel A.B.S. Clarke
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Both were extremely popular with the officers and men of the battalion and the loss was strongly felt by all. Lieutenant Colonel Clarke had always led from the front and there is little doubt he would have reached higher rank had he lived. Major Robinson was equally well liked. Tall and well built, he was easily recognisable and had built a fine reputation within the battalion.

(Harry Moses, The Gateshead Gurkhas, 253)

Born on 11 September 1906 Cuckfield, Sussex, Andrew Board Stephenson Clarke was a commissioned officer in the King’s Own Scottish Borders since 1926. He mobilized with the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry as adjutant in September 1939. He was wounded by enemy bombing during the Blitz but continued to serve with the 8th DLI through to its deployment to the Middle East as part of 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th Division. He rose to second-in-command during the North Africa campaign.

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Lt-Col. J.E.S. Percy

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Lieutenant-Colonel Joss Percy
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

To my distaste now, Montgomery sacked Joss Percy. Joss Percy declined any other posting as said ‘I’m going home.’ On the way home on a troop ship, he died of a broken heart. And the Durhams who were there will always say, that was the loss of a very gallant battalion and brigade commander. Certainly, I blame Montgomery.

(William Henry Partridge, IWM interview, 20 Apr 2001)

Born in Western Australia, on 10 October 1897, Joscelyn Edward Seymour Percy served with the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War. He earned the Military Cross in 1917: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his men with great determination and himself killed two of the enemy. Later, although severely wounded, he remained in the enemy’s trenches until the last man of his party had withdrawn.” Twenty-three years later, Percy took command of the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the battle of France in June 1940.

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Lt-Col. R.P. Lidwill

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Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Lidwill
8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

We had our C.O., Bob Lidwill—a great character. He was a regular soldier who had been in GHQ in Cairo, a staff job, who dropped his rank to get back to an infantry battalion, which not many headquarters staff did. And he became our C.O., and a very brave man. He never seemed to be shaken at all. Very bold, very cool and calm despite how much stuff was flying around.

(George Pearson Chambers, IWM interview, 1988)

Born on 26 July 1914 in County Galway, Ireland, Robert Peisley Lidwill was the son of a British Army colonel and commissioned officer in the King’s Regiment since 1934. He was promoted to captain in summer 1940. His older brother Captain George Ronald Lidwill died during the Norway campaign in April 1940. Lidwill joined the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in July 1942 and fought in the North African campaign.

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Lt-Col. P.D. Daly

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Lieutenant-Colonel P.D. Daly
2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

From the start to the finish of the campaign Lt Col Daly has been magnificent first as a staff officer and then as Bn commander. His inspiring leadership and personal bravery have been an inspiration to all ranks.

(D.S.O. citation, 24 January 1946)

Born on 22 November 1912 in Exeter, Devon, Patrick Dunsandle Daly was a commissioned officer with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry since 1932. During the Normandy campaign, he was brigade major for 185th Infantry Brigade in 3rd Division. In this role, “he distinguished himself as a first class staff officer and earned the respect and admiration of all those with whom he came in contact.”

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Lt-Col. C.G. Millett

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Lieutenant-Colonel C.G. Millett
2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Recce party with the C.O. and his bodyguard left to recce the area of previous nights incidents. Explosions heard and report received that the Commanding Officer Lt. Col. C.G. Millett, O.B.E., his bodyguard and two other ranks had been killed in a minefield. The party had approached the body of a dead German and were examining the corpse when the explosion occurred.

(War Diary, 20 Dec 1944)

Born on 8 April 1903 in Reading, Berkshire, Cecil George Millett was a commissioned officer with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry since 1923. He was 2nd Battalion adjutant from 1931 to 1934 and was promoted to captain in 1933. By 1942, he was acting lieutenant-colonel and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

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Lt-Col. F.J. Maurice

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Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Maurice
2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

At 0115 hrs several shells fell in the Bn area, one of which killed Lieut Col F.J. Maurice. Col. Maurice had comd the Bn for two years and was dearly loved by all ranks. His death cast a gloom over the Bn just as it was again to go into action.

(War Diary, 7 Jul 1944)

Born on 2 April 1905 in Marlborough, Wiltshire, Frederick Jack Maurice was commissioned with the East Surrey Regiment after graduating from Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1924. He became adjutant for 2nd Battalion in 1935, and by 1940 had been promoted to major. Home from France on sick leave, when German forces attacked Belgium, Maurice crossed to attempt to rejoin his battalion. In the chaotic situation he fought with an ad hoc group of troops before evacuation.

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Lt-Col. A. Mackinnon

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Lieutenant-Colonel A. Mackinnon
7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

One enemy tank even succeeded in getting in amongst Bn H.Q. while it was still on the move and Col. Mackinnon personally organised its destruction with a P.I.A.T. mortar. Throughout this difficult operation Col. Mackinnon displayed a very high degree of personal courage and determined leadership which were undoubtedly largely responsible for the highly satisfactory results achieved.

(D.S.O. citation, 12 April 1945)

Born on 20 February 1911 in Mersham, Kent, Angus Mackinnon was a Terriorial Army officer and businessman. After graduating from Eton College and Pembroke College, Oxford, he joined the family merchant firm in Calcutta, India. He mobilized with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1939 and served with the 8th Battalion during the Battle of France in June 1940. He earned the Military Cross, showing “complete disregard for danger and led his patrol with skill and daring.”

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Lt-Col. D.N. Nicol

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Lieutenant-Colonel D.N. Nicol
1st Battalion, Tyneside Scottish
7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

The most seductive and productive vehicle may have been Donald Nicol’s coupé SS Swallow—a precursor of the Jaguar—in which the other things or object of our madness could recline with pleasure. The girls round Colchester were a lively lot.

(David Harry Walker, Lean, Wind Lean, 46)

Born on 5 February 1911, Donald Ninian Nicol was the third in his family of his name. His father (1877—1915) had died of illness while serving with the Scots Guards during the First World War and his grandfather (1843—1903) was a member of parliament for Argyllshire. After attending Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Nicol was commissioned into the Black Watch in 1931 alongside Scottish-born Canadian novelist David Harry Walker, who in his memoir recalled the diversions enjoyed by young subaltern officers while stationed in Colchester.

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Lt-Col. H.R.D. Oldman

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Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Oldman
7th Battalion, Green Howards
8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

This morning the Sultan’s Defence Secretary and former Army Commander, Colonel Hugh Oldman, ex-Second World War, ex-Staff College, ex-NATO, told the official story of the coup which brought Qabus to power. Colonel Oldman modestly denied any knowledge of the coup. It was, he said, all done behind walls, kept within the family.

(The Guardian, 31 Jul 1970, 9)

Born on 24 June 1914 in Belgaum, British India, Hugh Richard Deare Oldman was a graduate of Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a cricket player and London Metropolitan Police constable from 1936 to 1937. He took an emergency wartime commission with the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1940. He commanded a company of the 5th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment in the North African theatre and earned the Military Cross at the Battle of Gazala in June 1942.

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Lt-Col. C.F. Irvine

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Lieutenant-Colonel C.F. Irvine
5th/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

It was entirely due to Major Irvine’s cool headedness and personal courage which inspired the men to turn the tables completely on the enemy. Had it not been for his quick thinking and magnificent example the column might well have been captured by the enemy

(Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II citation, 8 Dec 1945)

Born on 12 November 1910 in Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, Charles Francis Irvine was educated at Radley College and Exeter College, Oxford University, with a degree in agriculture. In September 1939, He joined the 5th/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders as a lieutenant and served in every engagement the unit fought in the North African and North West Europe campaigns. He earned the Military Cross while leading the transport section in the Normandy breakout in mid-August 1944.

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