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British Army Officers
1939-1945

 

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Kaplan, B.
to
Knowles, J.T.

 

B. Kaplan  to  J.T. Knowles
Kaplan,
Barnett
B. Kaplan
?
-
Lt.
30.03.1939
WS/Capt.
30.03.1940



late Officer Cadet, University of London Contingent, Senior Division, Officer Training Corps
30.03.1939


commissioned, Royal Army Medical Corps - Territorial Army
24.08.1939


mobilized TA
(04.1944)
-
(04.1946)
Unemployed List, RAMC
Keene,
Thomas Patrick
T.P. Keene
08.11.1907
-
died between 1967 and 1985
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
01.09.1927
Maj.
01.09.1944
A/Lt.Col.
30.09.1942-11.11.1942,
06.03.1945-22.04.1945
T/Lt.Col.
23.04.1945-28.12.1945,
22.04.1947-11.03.1950
Brig.
27.08.1957 (retd 25.08.1960)
Mention in Despatches MID
08.11.1945
?
Education: psc

01.09.1927



commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery
18.12.1939
-
20.10.1940
Instructor in gunnery
16.11.1940
-
12.10.1941
Instructor in gunnery
13.10.1941
-
29.09.1942
Instructor OCTU
30.09.1942
-
11.11.1942
Chief Instructor
12.11.1942
-
27.12.1942
Instructor



Commanding Officer, 181st Field Regiment RA
Keightley,
Sir Charles Frederic
C.F. Keightley

Son of late Rev. C.A. Keightley.
Married (1932) Joan Lydia, daughter of late Brig.­Gen. G.N.T. Smyth Osbourne, CB, CMG, DSO, Ash, Iddesleigh, N. Devon; two sons.
24.06.1901
-
17.06.1974
2nd Lt.
23.12.1921
...
...
Maj.
18.05.1938
local Lt.Col.
06.12.1938-18.05.1940
A/Lt.Col.
19.05.1940-18.08.1940
T/Lt.Col.
19.08.1940-12.11.1941
WS/Lt.Col.
13.11.1941
Lt.Col.
06.09.1943
A/Col.
13.05.1941-12.11.1941
T/Col.
13.11.1941-26.12.1942
WS/Col.
27.12.1942
Col.
27.04.1944, seniority 27.12.1942
A/Brig.
13.05.1941-12.11.1941
T/Brig.
13.11.1941-26.12.1942
A/Maj.Gen.
27.12.1941-26.12.1942
T/Maj.Gen.
27.12.1942-01.01.1945
Maj.Gen.
02.01.1945, seniority 21.10.1944
A/Lt.Gen.
02.08.1944-01.08.1945
T/Lt.Gen.
02.08.1945-31.10.1945
Lt.Gen.
30.01.1948, seniority 01.10.1946
Gen.
29.08.1951 (retd 22.10.1962)

GCB 1953 (KCB 1950; CB 05.08.1943); GBE 1957 (KBE 05.07.1945; OBE 1941); DSO 03.08.1944; DL
MID (3x): 20.12.1940, 29.11.1945
Officer, Legion of Merit 10.08.1943
Commander, Legion of Merit 23.05.1947

23.12.1921


commissioned, 5th Dragoon Guards - Royal Armoured Corps
...
-
...
...
06.12.1938
-
18.05.1940
Instructor (General Staff Officer, 2nd grade (GSO2)), Staff College, Camberley
19.05.1940
-
11.05.1941
Assistant Adjutant & Quartermaster-General (AAQMG), 1st Armoured Division (France)
13.05.1941
-
26.12.1941
Commander, 30th Armoured Brigade
27.12.1941
-
20.04.1942
Commander, RAC Training Establishment
21.04.1942
-
17.05.1942
General Officer Commanding, 11th Armoured Division (Tunisia) 
19.05.1942
-
13.12.1943
General Officer Commanding,  6th Armoured Division (UK, Tunisia [N Africa])
13.12.1943
-
01.08.1944
General Officer Commanding, 78th Infantry Division(Italy, Egypt) [except for 9-30.7.1944]
02.08.1944
-
29.09.1945
Commander, V Corps (Italy & Austria)
...
-
...
...
Keith,
Cecil Graham
C.G. Keith
From London.
(06?).1896
Kensington, Greater London
-
Prob. 2nd Lt.
17.11.1915
2nd Lt.
25.02.1916, seniority 17.11.1915
A/Capt.
13.12.1916-01.09.1918
T/Capt.
02.09.1918-...
Lt.
12.06.1940 [136564]
T/Capt.
12.09.1940-(04.1941)
WS/Maj.
26.10.1943
T/Lt.Col.
26.10.1943-(04.1944)
WS/Lt.Col.
09.06.1944 (reld < 04.1946)
A/Col.
09.12.1943-(04.1944)
T/Col.
1945?
T/Brig.
?
Hon. Brig.
< 04.1946
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.02.1945
NW Europe
Military Cross MC
14.11.1916
*
Mention in Despatches MID
09.08.1945
NW Europe
Mention in Despatches MID
04.04.1946
NW Europe
* For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men with the greatest dash, and, when he gained his objective, took complete charge of the situation. He not only beat off two counter-attacks, but pushed his line forward, and sent in an excellent report. He is only nineteen years of age, and set a fine example.
17.11.1915


commissioned, Grenadier Guards - Special Reserve of Officers
02.09.1918
-
?
Staff Captain
12.06.1940


commissioned, Grenadier Guards [emergency commission]
Kell,
Sir Vernon George Waldegrave
V.G.W. Kell
Son of late Maj. Waldegrave C.F. Kell.
Married Constance Rawdon, daughter of late James Scott,
Westlands, Queenstown; two sons, one daughter.
21.11.1873
Mutford, Suffolk
-
27.03.1942
2nd Lt.
01.10.1894
Capt.
1901 (retd 16.10.1909)
Maj. RoO
1913
Col. RoO
01.04.1924
Hon. Maj.Gen.
27.09.1939
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire KBE
1919
?
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
1917
?
Knight, 1st Class, Order of St Olaf (Norway); American Order of the Chinese Dragon; Officer Legion of Honour; Officer Order of Leopold; Officer Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus; Jubilee Medal, 1935
Education: Home; Sandhurst
01.10.1894


commissioned, South Staffordshire Regiment
1900


served China, Boxer Campaign (medal with clasp, despatches)
1902
-
1903
Language Officer in China
1904
-
1907
Staff Captain, War Office
1907
-
1909
Imperial Defence Committee
1909


Reserve of Officers
1909


co-founded the Secret Service Bureau, the first incarnation of the Security Service
1909
-
1914
re­employed, War Office
1914
-
1924
General Staff Officer, 1st grade (GSO1), Directorate of Military Intelligence, War Office (despatches, CB, Bt Lt­Col, KBE)
1924
-
1940
re­employed, War Office:
1931
-
06.1940
first Director-General of the Security Service
Commandant War Department Constabulary; late Chairman, Japan Society.
Kendrew,
[Sir] Douglas Anthony
D.A. Kendraw
Elder son of Alexander John Kendrew, MC, MD, Barnstaple, North Devon.
Married (1936) Nora Elizabeth, daughter of John Harvey, Malin Hall, County Donegal; one son, one daughter.
Residence: (1943) Malin, Co. Donegal
22.07.1910
Barnstaple, North Devon
-
28.02.1989
Islip, Nottingham, Northants
2nd Lt. SRO
18.01.1930
2nd Lt.
28.08.1931 [44766]
Lt.
28.08.1934
Capt.
28.08.1939
A/Maj.
12.08.1940-11.11.1940
T/Maj.
12.11.1940-24.02.1941,
15.04.1941-22.10.1941,
28.02.1942-18.06.1943
WS/Maj.
19.06.1943
Maj.
01.07.1946
A/Lt.Col.
19.03.1943-18.06.1943
T/Lt.Col.
19.06.1943-23.07.1944
WS/Lt.Col.
24.07.1944
A/Col.
24.01.1944-23.07.1944
T/Col.
24.07.1944-31.05.1946,
04.11.1946-27.07.1951
Col.
28.07.1951
A/Brig.
24.01.1944-23.07.1944
T/Brig.
24.07.1944-31.05.1946,
30.11.1952-18.10.1956
Brig.
19.04.1957
T/Maj.Gen.
19.10.1956-28.06.1957
Maj.Gen.
29.06.1957 (retd 01.09.1963)
Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George KCMG
12.07.1963
Governor W Australia
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
01.01.1958
New Year 58
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
21.12.1944
Italy
Distinguished Service Order DSO
01.06.1943
North Africa
Distinguished Service Order DSO
13.01.1944
Italy
Distinguished Service Order DSO
04.05.1944
Italy
Distinguished Service Order DSO
08.12.1953
Korea
Mention in Despatches MID
23.09.1943
North Africa
Education: Uppingham School; psc, idc



late Cadet Under Officer, Uppingham School Contingent, Junior Division, Officer Training Corps

18.01.1930


commissioned, The Leicestershire Regiment - Supplementary Reserve of Officers
28.08.1931


joined Royal The Leicestershire Regiment
(06.1933)


2nd Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment (Londonderry)
23.11.1936
-
31.03.1937
Assistant Instructor (Class GG), Tank Driving and Maintenance School (temporary) (Bovington Camp)
01.04.1937
-
14.12.1938
Instructor (Class GG to 31.07.1938), Driving & Maintenance Wing, Armoured Fighting Vehicle School (Bovington Camp)
18.12.1938
-
01.09.1939
Instructor, Royal Military College, Sandhurst
28.02.1942
-
11.02.1943
Brigade Major, ... (North Africa)
12.02.1943
-
18.03.1943
General Staff Officer, 2nd grade (GSO2) (Operations), HQ 1st Army
1943
-
1944
Commanding Officer, 6th Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment (North Africa and Italy)
24.01.1944
28.01.1945
30.11.1945
-
-
-
22.12.1944
22.10.1945
31.05.1946
Commander, 128th (Hampshire) Infantry Brigade (Italy, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Italy, Austria)
01.06.1946
-
03.11.1946
General Staff Officer, 1st grade (GSO1) (Infantry), GHQ, Central Mediterranean Forces
04.11.1946
-
16.08.1948
Commandant, School of Infantry, British Army of the Rhine (BAOR)
17.08.1948
-
13.09.1950
Commandant, Army Apprentice School, Harrogate
03.10.1950
-
27.09.1952
Colonel A/Q (Adjutant General's & Quartermaster General's Staff), Northern Ireland District
30.11.1952
-
05.11.1953
Commander, 29th British Infantry Brigade (Korea)
1954
-
1955
Imperial Defence College
10.03.1955
-
28.09.1956
Brigadier A/Q (Adjutant General's & Quartermaster General's Staff), HQ Northern Command (York)
19.10.1956
-
11.10.1958
General Officer Commanding, Cyprus District and Director of Operations
15.12.1958
-
01.12.1960
Director of Infantry, War Office (London)
21.03.1961
-
22.03.1963
Chief Liaison Officer, Joint Servies Liaison Staff, Australia
Colonel, Royal Leicestershire Regiment 20.05.1963-1965; Governor, Western Australia 23.09.1963-1973.
Honorary Colonel, SAS Regiment, RWAR Australia, 1965. President, Knights of the Round Table, 1975-83. Commissioner, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, 1974-80. Honorary LLD University of WA, 1969. KStJ 06.1964.
Kennedy,
F
F. Kennedy
?
-
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
07.12.1940
WS/Capt.
18.01.1946
T/Maj.
18.01.1946
07.12.1940


commissioned, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders [emergency commission]
Kennedy,
John Ross
J.R. Kennedy
Son of Robert Sinclair Kennedy and Annie Flora Kennedy, of Ferring, Sussex.
Husband of Lucretia Thrale Kennedy. 
(03?).1905
lslington, Greater London, Middlesex
-
14.06.1942
(KIA) [age 37]
[Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya, 1.A.2]
2nd Lt.
? [34033]
Lt.
01.11.1928
Capt.
18.03.1931
Maj.
09.03.1934
Lt.Col.
05.05.1939
Distinguished Service Order DSO
11.07.1940
for gallant & distinguished services in recent operations
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
16.04.1942
Middle East 07.41-10.41
Education: BSc
?


commissioned, Corps of Royal Engineers - Territorial Army
(03.1931)


50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers (Newcastle-on-Tyne)
(06.1933)
-
(01.1939)
232nd (Northumbrian) Field Company RE, 50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers (Newcastle-on-Tyne)
24.08.1939


mobilized TA
05.05.1939
-
14.06.1942
Commander Royal Engineers (CRE), 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
AMICE, AMIEE. Military Member, County of Durham Territorial Army and Air Force Association.
Kennett,
Brian Bishop
"Bill"
J.R. Kennedy
Married (1919, Barnet, Greater London) ... Smith.
18.02.1899
Hastings district, Sussex
-
died between 1985 and 1990 ?
2nd Lt.
06.06.1917
Lt.
06.12.1918
Capt.
06.06.1928 (regimental seniority 11.09.1922)
Maj.
06.06.1937
A/Lt.Col.
17.04.1940-20.05.1940,
12.06.1940-07.08.1940
T/Lt.Col.
08.08.1940-31.07.1942
Lt.Col.
01.08.1942 (supernumerary 01.08.1945)
A/Col.
15.03.1942-14.09.1942
T/Col.
15.09.1942-(01.1946)
A/Brig.
07.09.1943-06.03.1944
T/Brig.
07.03.1944-(04.1946)
Brig.
01.12.1949 (retd 09.09.1952)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) CBE
21.06.1945
?
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) MBE
?
?
Mention in Despatches MID
23.12.1918
?
British War Medal 1914-1920 BWM 14|20
-
-
Victory Medal VM
-
-
General Service Medal GenSM
-
& clasp Palestine
Education: long survey course, School of Artillery
06.06.1917
 
 
commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery
13.01.1918
-
11.11.1918
served in France & Belgium (wounded)
01.10.1920
-
11.07.1924
posted to Royal Signals
12.07.1924
 
 
transferred, Royal Corps of Signals
01.1931
 
 
qualified as interpreter 2nd class in Arabic
28.01.1931
-
10.01.1935
Staff Captain, Signal Training Centre (Catterick Camp)
26.09.1935
-
08.08.1936
employed with Egytian Frontiers Administration
08.09.1936
-
15.12.1936
special appointment (Class FF), Palestine and Trans-Jordan (temporary)
(01.1939)
 
 
servved in Egypt
15.03.1942
-
16.08.1942
Chief Signal Officer, Home Forces
17.08.1942
-
14.12.1942
Deputy Chief Signal Officer, Home Forces
Served for 11 years in civil capacity with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Honorary Colonel, 16th & 40th Signal Regiments, 06.04.1952-06.04.1957.
Published: (with J.A. Tatman) Craftsmen of the Army : the story of the Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers (1970)
Kenny,
John Edmund

J.E. Kenny
?
-

2nd Lt.
13.06.1942 [235556]
WS/Lt.
13.12.1942 (reld > 04.1946)
1941
-
13.06.1942
No. 31 Class, 141 Officer Cadet Training Unit (Aldershot)
13.06.1942


commissioned, Corps of Royal Engineers [emergency commission]
Kent,
Geoffrey

G. Kent (Photo courtesy of Mr Paul Kent) G. Kent (Photo courtesy of Mr Paul Kent)
Originally:
Kohn, Gershon

(changed name (1945?) after he joined the Britsh Army; 09.09.1947 naturalized, then living at Coniston, Lancashire)
30.01.1914
Leipzig, Germany
-

Lt.
24.03.1945 [342691] (reld > 04.1946)
T/Capt. ?
?
A/Maj. ?
?
24.03.1945


commissioned, Royal Army Medical Corps [emergency commission]



possibly served with the 7th Armoured Division ('Desert Rats') (Holland)
Medical practitioner (MD).
Kenyon,
John Frederick
J.F. Kenyon
Married & divorced three times; two sons.

30.12.1921
Pradoe estate near Oswestry, Shropshire
-
12.2006
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
04.01.1942 [222758]
...
...
T/Maj.
28.06.1945-29.11.1948
...
...
Lt.Col.
31.12.1966
Col.
31.12.1970, seniority 30.06.1970 (retd 02.02.1974)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
?
?
Military Cross MC
05.10.1944
?
Education: Marlborough
04.01.1942


commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery [emergency commission to 27.04.1945]
1941?
-
1945?
5 (Bombay) Indian Mountain Battery (India & Burma)
...
-
...
...
Kershaw,
[Sir] John Anthony
J.A. Kershaw

 

14.12.1915
Cairo
-
29.04.2008
Didmarton, Badminton, Gloucestershire
2nd Lt.
15.06.1940 [134983]
...
...
WS/Capt.
15.06.1943
T/Maj.
15.06.1943-(04.1946)
Knight Bachelor Kt
1981
?
Military Cross MC
23.09.1943
North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
15.06.1940


commissioned, 16th/5th Lancers - Royal Armoured Corps [emergency commission]
(1943)


HQ 26th Armoured Brigade
Kettle,
Harold Eric George
H.E.G. Kettle
14.01.1906
Burton upon Trent district, Derbyshire / Staffordshire
-
10.1993
Surrey Mid-Eastern
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
12.07.1941 [200328]
WS/Lt.
01.10.1942 (reld < 04.1946)
T/Capt.
20.02.1943-(04.1944)
Hon. Capt.
< 04.1946
12.07.1941


commissioned, The Middlesex Regiment [emergency commission]
18.01.1942


transferred to the Royal Regiment of Artillery
23.09.1942


transferred to The Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps
Post-war Secretary of the Glider Pilots' Association.
Keyes,
Geoffrey Charles Tasker
G.C.T. Keyes
Son of Admiral of the Fleet Roger John Brownlow Keyes, GCB, KCVO, CMG, DSO, ADC, 1st Baron Keyes, and of Lady Keyes (nee Bowlby), of Buckingham.
18.05.1917
Aberdour, Fife, Scotland
-
17.11.1941
Beda Littoria, Libya 
(KIA) [age 24] [Benghazi War Cemetery, 7.D.5]
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
28.01.1937 [71081]
Lt.
28.01.1940
T/Capt.
13.06.1940
Maj.
?
T/Lt.Col.
?
Victoria Cross VC
19.06.1942
*
Military Cross MC
?
?
Croix de Guerre (France) CdeG
?
?
* Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes commanded a detachment of a force which landed some 250 miles behind the enemy lines, in North Africa, to attack Headquarters Base installations and communications. Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes deliberately selected the command of the party detailed to attack the residence and Headquarters of the General Officer commanding the German Forces in North Africa. This attack meant almost certain death for those who took part in it. The disposition of his detachment left him only one officer and a N.C.O. with whom to break into General Rommel's residence. On the night 17/18 November, 1941, he boldly led his party to the front door and demanded entrance. It was unfortunately necessary to shoot the sentry; the noise aroused the house, so that speed became of the first importance. Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes instinctively took the lead and emptied his revolver with great success into the first room. He then entered the second room but was mortally wounded almost immediately. By his fearless disregard of the dangers which he ran and of which he was fully aware, and by his magnificent leadership and outstanding gallantry Lieutenant Colonel Keyes set an example of supreme self-sacrifice and devotion to duty.
Education: Royal Military College
28.01.1937


commissioned into The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)
?
-
17.11.1941
No. 11 (Scottish) Commando
Literature: Elizabeth Keyes. Geoffrey Keyes, V.C., M.C., Croix de Guerre, Royal Scots Greys, Lieut.-Colonel, 11th Scottish Commando (London : G. Newnes, [1956])
Kidston,
Antony Noel Wallace
A.N.W. Kidston
17.07.1913
-
died between 02.1957 and 02.1967
2nd Lt.
31.08.1933 [56738]
Lt.
31.08.1936
A/Capt.
15.05.1940-14.08.1940
T/Capt.
15.08.1940-30.08.1941
Capt.
31.08.1941
A/Maj.
29.05.1942-12.07.1942,
06.08.1942-20.09.1942
T/Maj.
21.09.1942-08.05.1945
WS/Maj.
09.05.1945
Maj.
31.08.1946 (retd 24.05.1956; disability)
A/Lt.Col.
09.02.1945-08.05.1945
T/Lt.Col.
09.05.1945-(01.1946)
Hon. Lt.Col.
24.05.1946
Mention in Despatches MID
04.04.1946
NW Europe
Education: psc
31.08.1933


commissioned into the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)
11.09.1937
-
30.12.1940
Assistant Instructor (Class GG to 31.07.1938)
(01.1944)
-
(06.1944)
Officer Commanding, A Company, 1st/8th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment
09.02.1945
-
(1945?)
Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Middlesex Regiment
06.1947
-
07.1947
acting Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Palestine)
Kidston,
Robert Alexander Patrick Richard
R.A.P.R. Kidston
?
-
2nd Lt.
04.09.1914 [20442]
Lt.
22.05.1917, seniority 01.06.1916
A/Capt.
06.09.1918-29.07.1919
Capt.
29.05.1920
T/Maj.
?
Maj.
31.01.1922
Bt. Lt.Col.
01.01.1930
Lt.Col.
03.06.1939, seniority 31.08.1931
Bt. Col.
31.08.1935
Territorial Decoration TD
?
? (3rd Clasp 08.05.1953)
04.09.1914


commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery - Territorial Army
?
-
03.06.1939
Territorial Army Reserve of Officers
03.06.1939
-
?
Territorial Army
24.08.1939


mobilized TA



Commanding Officer, 131st Field Regiment RA
?
-
<