Lieutenant-Colonel G.C.P. Lance
6th Battalion, Green Howards
7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry

He was always to be found where the battle was hottest, encouraging his men and often leading the final assault on enemy MG posts. I have heard from several sources of the magnificent example and leadership displayed by Lt Col Lance.

(Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier, 15 Jul 1944, 4)

Born on 9 May 1913 in Strood, Kent, Geoffrey Charles Philip Lance was commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry in 1933. During the El Alamein campaign, on 13 October 1942, Lance succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel E.W. Eden in command of the 6th Battalion, Green Howards. For “superb leadership and “conspicuous devotion to duty,” he earned the Distinguished Service Order.

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