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Indian Army Officers
1939-1945

 

Looking for details on a (British) Indian Army officer not listed here yet? *
Just e-mail me, and I might be able to help out.
Of course, any additions, corrections etc. can also be e-mailed.

* Most of the 'indigenous' Indian Army officers are not shown in the sources at my disposal, so can't add these on these pages.
Note. Abbreviations and explanations can be found at the help page.


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P      
Palmer,
George
G. Palmer
Son of Elon and Elizabeth Ann Palmer, of West Malling, Kent.
1901 ?
-
27.07.1944
[Kirkee War Cemetery, India, 8.F.15]
2nd Lt. 17.11.1941 [EC 9871]
WS/Lt. 17.11.1941
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) MBE WW I ?? ?
17.11.1941     commissioned, Indian Army (Indian Land Forces Special List ) [emergency commission]
? - 27.07.1944 Small Arms Schools at Pachmarhi and then Saugor (India)
Palmer,
William Cecil
G. Palmer
27.01.1901
Paddington district, London
-
(03?).1961
Bath district, Somerset
Assistant Commissary (with rank of Lt.) 28.09.1940 (reld > 04.1947)
28.09.1940     commissioned, Indian Army Departments [emergency commission]
Panday,
H P
H.P. Panday (Photo courtesy of Mr Charles Hawkshaw-Burn)
?
-
Maj.
(1947)
...
-
...
...
(1947)
 
 
HQ Southern Command, India (Poona)
Parkash Singh see: Singh,
Parkash
 
ParKhill,
A S M
A.S.M. Parkhill (Photo courtesy of Mr Charles Hawkshaw-Burn)
?
-
WS/Capt.
?
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) MBE
?
?
?


commissioned, General List
12.05.1946
-
(04.1947)
General Staff Officer, 3rd grade (GSO3), General Staff, HQ Southern Command (Poona, India)
Parrott,
Frederick George
F.G. Parrott (Photo courtesy of Mr Charles Hawkshaw-Burn)
?
-
Wt.Offr.
?
Assistant Commissary (with rank of Lt.)
21.12.1943 [OS 523]
T/Capt.
15.06.1944-(04.1946)
T/Lt.Col.
(1947)
Long Service Good Conduct Medal LSGCM
23.04.1948
-
21.12.1943


commissioned, Indian Army Departments [emergency commission]
(1947)
 
 
HQ Southern Command (Poona, India)
Parrott,
Harold
H. Parrott

02.09.1892
-
12.02.1953
Lt.Col. ?
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) MBE 02.06.1943 ?
12.04.1939     commissioned, Indian Army Departments
[for further details see "biography" button on the left]
Paterson,
William Harvey
W.H. Paterson (Photo courtesy of Mr Andrew Thomas)
?
New Zealand
-
2nd Lt. 05.07.1941
WS/Lt. 29.12.1941
T/Capt. 29.12.1941-(04.1946)
      Officer Training School, Belgaum (India)
05.07.1941     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
Pavey,
Peter Henry Clement Cooper
P.H.C.C. Pavey
Son of ... Pavey, and ... Cooper.
Married ((03?).1951, Taunton district, Somerset) Barbara E. Cawthorn.
L
ived in Hampton-on-Thames and retired to the Bournemouth area.
(12?).1923
Taunton, Somerset
-
L/Sgt. ?
2nd Lt. 01.10.1944 [EC 15071]
WS/Lt. 01.04.1945 (reld > 04.1947)
      served in the ranks, The Somerset Light Infantry
01.10.1944     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
      served in a Sikh Regiment
Peacock,
P S M
P.S.M. Peacock (Photo courtesy of Mr Andrew Thomas)
?
New Zealand
-
2nd Lt. 07.1941 ?
      Officer Training School, Belgaum (India)
07.1941?     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission] ?
Perkins,
J N
J.N. Perkins
?
-
2nd Lt. 15.11.1939
WS/Lt. 01.11.1940
T/Capt. 01.11.1940-(04.1947)
15.11.1939     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
Peterkin,
Harry
H. Peterkin
?
-
2nd Lt.
17.08.1940
WS/Capt.
14.06.1943
T/Maj.
03.02.1944-(04.1946)
17.08.1940


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]



probably served with Gurkhas in Burma
Petit,
Peter John Russell
P.J.R. Petit
Son of Charles Russell Petit (1891-1959), and Dorothy Blanche Toovey (1892-1985).
Married (1942, Cairo, Egypt) Rachel Ades; ... children (one daughter?).
14.05.1918
Hendon district, Hertfordshire / Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire / Middlesex
-
06.1997
Kensington and Chelsea district, London
2nd Lt. 25.08.1938 [946 AI]
Lt. 25.11.1940
A/Capt. 12.02.1941-11.05.1941
T/Capt. 12.05.1941-19.03.1944
WS/Capt. 20.03.1944
Capt. 25.08.1946 (reld > 04.1947)
A/Maj. 20.12.1943019.03.1944
T/Maj. 20.03.1944-(01.1946)
Military Cross MC 25.04.1941 Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Education: Royal Military College, Sandhurst; Intermediate Staff Course (sc).
25.08.1938     commissioned, Unattached List (for Indian Army)
08.09.1939     commissioned, Indian Army
(1941)     3/1 Punjab Regiment (Middle East) (MC)
Lived in Southern Rhodesia in 1949.
Petry,
Gordon Martin
G.M. Petry

Son of ... Petry, and ... Joy.
Married ((12?).1949, Surrey Northern district, Surrey) Margaret G. Fell.
(12?).1923
South Shields district, Co. Durham / Tyne and Wear
-
Pte. ?
2nd Lt. 05.09.1943 [EC 10511]
WS/Lt. 05.03.1944 (reld > 04.1946, < 04.1947)
Lt. 24.05.1948, seniority 01.11.1946 [394300]
Hon. Capt. 14.03.1955
05.09.1943     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
1946/47?     Special List (ex-Indian Army)
24.05.1948 - 14.03.1955 commissioned, East Surrey Regiment - Territorial Army
14.03.1955 - ? Territorial Army Reserve of Officers
Pettigrew,
Hugh Rudolph Conway
H.R.C. Pettigrew (Photo courtesy of Mr Andrew Thomas)
Son (with two brothers and two sisters) of William Albert Thomas Pettigrew (1869-1916), and Ada Lancefield Blackman.
Married ((03?).1938, Worthing district, Sussex) Patricia K. Maynard.
14.05.1912
-
04.2001
Merton district, Surrey
2nd Lt. 28.01.1932 [IA 116 & 399627]
Lt. 28.04.1934
A/Capt. 03.09.1939-02.12.1939
T/Capt. 03.12.1939-27.01.1940
Capt. 28.01.1940
A/Maj. 01.09.1941-30.11.1941
T/Maj. 01.12.1941-(01.1946)
local Lt.Col. 07.07.1943-(01.1946)
Maj. ? (retd 11.12.1948)
WS/Lt.Col. ?
Hon. Col. 11.12.1948
Mentioned in Despatches MID 09.05.1946 Burma
28.01.1932     commissioned, Unattached List (for Indian Army)
06.04.1933     commissioned, Indian Army (14th Punjab Regiment)
(07.1941)     [Commanding Officer?], Officer Training School, Belgaum (India)
Published: Frontier scouts (1965).
Phillips,
David Francis
D.F. Phillips
Son of Thomas R. Phillips, and Gladys L. Orchard.
Married (Iringa, Tanzania) ... Kennedy; two children.
15?/19?.06.1922
Devonport, Devon
-
15.08.2008
Iringa, Tanzania
Fus. ?
2nd Lt. 30.05.1943
WS/Lt. 30.11.1943 (reld > 04.1947)
      served in the ranks, Royal Welch Fusiliers
30.05.1943     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
      served Royal Indian Army Service Corps
Farmer.
Pinel,
Henry John
H.J. Pinel
Married Phyllis Grimley, daughter of Lt.Col. Frederick Roberts Bridgeman Grimley, Indian Army; four sons, two daughters.
15.07.1916
-
04.1991
Birmingham district, Warwickshire
RQMS ?
2nd Lt. 29.10.1941 [EC 9187]
WS/Lt. 08.08.1942
T/Capt. 08.08.1942-(04.1944)
Ws/Capt. 30.101.945
T/Maj. 30.01.1945-(04.1946)
Capt. 01.01.1949 [378412]
Hon. Maj. 01.01.1949
Efficiency Medal (Territorial) EM 21.01.1949 -
29.10.1941     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
01.01.1949     commissioned, Royal Army Service Corps - Regular Army Reserve of Officers
Pizey,
Ray Martin *
R.M. Pizey
* possibly the same as: Roy Martin Pizey (24.10.1900 Bristol, Avon - 12.1985 Newton Abbott, Devon)
?
-
2nd Lt.
16.05.1942 [EC 57632]
Maj.
1942? (reld 07.07.1943)
T/Lt.Col.
1942?-07.07.1943
Mentioned in Despatches MID
16.12.1943
Burma / Eastern Frontier of India
Tea planter.
16.05.1942


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
(1942)


Area Commander, Ledo Area, V Force (Burma)
Plant,
Henry Cranston
"Barry"
H.C. Plant

Son (with two sisters) of Henry Wales Plant (1889-), importer of dried fruits etc. from Australia, of Dundee, Angus, Scotland.
Married 1st Sister Amy Evalyn Keats, QAIMNS (deceased); one daughter, three sons.
Married 2nd Jenny Jones.
Married 3rd Brenda Caule.
23.04.1920
Melbourne, Australia
-
26.08.2008
Australia
L/Bdr. ?
2nd Lt. 28.05.1942 [EC 6414]
WS/Lt. 28.11.1942 (reld 21.12.1946)
T/Capt. ?
Hon. Capt. 21.12.1946
28.05.1942     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
      served 9th Gurkha Battalion (Burma)
Pocock,
Nicholas Edgar Innes
N.E.I. Pocock
Son of George Innes Pocock (1863-1925?), and Ellen Elizabeth Adams.
12.01.1899
Bedford
-
15.03.1943
(KIA) [age 44]
[Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar, face 34]
2nd Lt. 30.01.1917 [IA 853]
Lt. 30.01.1918
A/Capt. 02.08.1918-29.01.1921
Capt. 30.01.1921
Maj. 30.01.1935
T/Lt.Col. ?
Lt.Col. 30.01.1943
Military Cross MC 10.08.1921 Mesopotamia *
* For gallantry on the 12th Octocer, 1920, near Tuwariz. When a bridge of boats, the destruction of which would have meant that the only means of communication across the river would be cut off, had been set on fire by the insurgents, this officer, regardless of all danger, at once rushed over at the head of his platoon and drove off the enemy. Whilst crossing the river Lt. Pocook was subjected to heavy fire from the enemy, at close range, and by his action not only saved the bridge from destruction, but also very materially assisted in the ensuing attack. Moreover, this sudden and unexpected assault so surprised the insurgents that they were compelled to retire, and fled in confusion.
30.01.1917     commissioned, Unataached List (for Indian Army)
01.02.1917     commissioned, Indian Army (attached 16th Rajputs (The Lucknow Regiment))
(1920)    

1/4th (with 13th) Rajputs

02.1941 - 15.03.1943 Commanding Officer, 8th Battalion 6th Rajputana Rifles
Polglase,
Samuel Alexander Bernard *
B.A. Porritt
* In Army records shown as: Bernard Samuel Alexander
Married ... Brown.
?
-
1987?
Australia ?
2nd Lt. 25.05.1941 [EC 2665] (reld > 04.1947)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) MBE 01.06.1953 HM's birthday 53: Chairman of the East Pakistan Branch of the United Kingdom Association in
Pakistan.
Mentioned in Despatches MID 15.12.1942 Middle East
25.05.1941     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
      2nd Punjab Regiment (North Africa)
Worked for Pakistan Tobacco Co.
Porritt,
Basil Ainslie
B.A. Porritt
Son of Oswald Henry Porritt (1868-1958), and Florence Mary McKellar (?-1945).
Married; one son, one daughter.
20.06.1903
New Zealand
-
17.05.1956
New Zealand
Lt. (prob)
20.02.1933, seniority 26.07.1930 [MZ/12133]
Lt.
01.06.1934, seniority 26.07.1930
Capt. (prob)
26.07.1933
Capt.
21.12.1934, seniority 26.07.1933
Maj.
26.07.1940 (retd 11.05.1948)
Education: Wanganui Collegiate School (1916-1920); Otago Uiniversity (MB, ChB, 1926);, FRCS (Edin)
02.05.1928
-
26.11.1929
commissioned, Royal Air Force (Medical Branch) (with rank of F/O) [short service commission]
27.11.1929
-
20.02.1933
transferred to reserve
20.02.1933


commissioned, Indian Medical Service
...
-
...
...
Potter,
Arthur Kingscote
A.K. Potter (Photo courtesy of Miss Beatrice Potter)
A.K. Potter (Photo courtesy of Miss Beatrice Potter)
Only son of Richard Ellis Potter (1855-1947), and Harriott Isobel Kingscote (1865-1940), of Ridgewood, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire.
Married (20.07.1950, Marylebone Registry Office, London) Hilda Hodgkinson Butterfield (01.02.1908 - 19.04.2001), divorced wife of Lt.Cdr. Cecil Hugo de Boisville Newby, RN, and daughter of William Arthur Butterfield, OBE (1873-1943), and Rebecca Emelda Stevenson (1880-1953), of Hong Kong; one daughter.

07.04.1905
South Dublin, Ireland
-
25.02.1998
King Edward VII Hospital, Easebourne, Midhurst, West Sussex
2nd Lt. 01.06.1943 [ABRO 969]
WS?/Lt.Col. (1943?)
T/Brig. (1943?)
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George CMG 01.01.1957 New Year 57
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE 06.06.1946 Burma
Education: Farnborough Preparatory School; Charterhouse; New College, Oxford.
Entered Indian Civil Service, 09.10.1928. Posted to Burma (as assistant commissioner), 12.1928. In charge of Pegu earthquake relief, 1930-1931. District Commissioner, 1934. Controller of Finance ('reserved' subjects), 1937.
1942     financial adviser to the Army in Burma (despatches)
1942 - 1943 financial secretary to the Government of Burma (Simla)
01.06.1943     commissioned, Army in Burma Reserve of Officers [emergency commission]
1943 - 1944 financial adviser to 11 Army Group and Allied Land Forces South East Asia
1944 - 1947 chief financial officer to Military Administration of Burma (CBE)
Transferred, HM Treasury, Administrative Class, 17.11.1947. HM Treasury representative in India, Pakistan and Burma, 1947-1950. Assistant Secretary HM Treasury, 1950-1956. Counsellor UK Delegation to NATO at Paris, France, 1956-1965 (CMG).
Potts,
Tom
T. Potts (Photo courtesy of Mr Tony Morris)
Son of Tom Potts, and Ethel E. Bailey.
25.10.1925
Ripon, Darlington district, North Riding of Yorkshire
-
03.1987
Carlisle district, Cumberland
2nd Lt. 03.06.1945 [EC 16074] (reld > 04.1947)
RAF:  
F/O (SSC) 11.11.1952, seniority 12.12.1951 [502759]
F/O 01.10.1955, seniority 12.12.1951
F/Lt. 12.12.1955
Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1964
W/Cdr. 01.07.1975 (retd 01.07.1979; own request)
      served in the ranks (as Craftsman 14429253), Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
03.06.1945     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
11.11.1952     short service commission, RAF Regiment
01.10.1955     permanent commission
1955?     on attachment to the Aden Protectorate Levies
?     transferred, RAF (Security Branch)
AMBIM.
Powell,
Brian Lloyd
B.L. Powell
Son (with two brothers and two sisters) of W/Cdr. Frank James Bickley Powell, MBE, RAF (1885-1959), and Susanne Burns.
Brother of Maj. Peter L. Powell, RAOC, P/O David E.F. Powell, RAF, and  Flight Offr. Brenda M. Powell, WAAF.
(09?).1916
Brentford district, Middlesex
-
2nd Lt. 12.08.1943
WS/Lt. 12.08.1943 (reld > 04.1947)
12.08.1943     commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
Pratt,
Frederick Albert James
F.A.J. Pratt
14.01.1901
Taunton, Somerset
-
2nd Lt.
14.03.1942 [355479]
WS/Capt.
20.05.1943
T/Maj.
20.05.1943
WS/Maj.
16.02.1945
Capt.
01.06.1947, seniority 20.05.1943
Maj.
15.03.1955 (reld 11.10.1957)
T/Col.
15.03.1955
Hon. Col.
11.10.1957
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
01.01.1958
New Year 58
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1949
New Year 49
03.03.1919


enlisted service with the Somerset Light Infantry [personal no. 5662529]
14.03.1942


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission to 30.05.1947]



15th Punjab Regiment



served Movement Control, Assam/Burma
01.10.1945


transferred from Indian Army to Movement Control Section, Royal Corps of Engineers, British Army [short service commission from 01.06.1947]
Prendergast,
John Hume
J.H. Prendergast

15.11.1910
Lahore
-
09.02.2008
[Salisbury ?]
2nd Lt.
15.11.1931
Capt.
15.11.1939
A/Maj.
14.10.1940-13.01.1941
T/Maj.
14.01.1941-06.08.1941,
27.08.1941-28.03.1942,
06.07.1942-(01.1946)
A/Lt.Col.
03.06.1941-06.07.1941,
06.04.1942-(01.1946)
...
...
Col.
23.07.1957 (retd 20.09.1960)
Hon. Brig.
20.08.1960
Distinguished Service Order DSO
06.06.1946
?
Military Cross MC
13.08.1937
NW Frontier of India
Military Cross MC
06.08.1940
?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
09.05.1946
?



from Supplementary Reserve of Officers
15.11.1931
 
 
commissioned, Unattached List (for Indian Army)
22.01.1933


commissioned, Indian Army
...
-
...
...
29.05.1948


transferred, York & Lancashire Regiment (British Army)
06.07.1948
-
30.12.1950
GSO1 (MA), Kabul
15.09.1955
-
(02.1957)
SO1 (Pt.), HQ 1 Corps, British Army of the Rhine
Prentice,
Henry Maunsell
H.M. Prentice
Son of Reginald Wickham Prentice.
Married (12.10.1940, St. Mary of Bethany, Quetta, India) Constance Augusta Hone (13.06.1916-10.1991).
10.08.1907
Alresford district, Hampshire

-
07.1995
Crawley district, West Sussex
2nd Lt.
01.09.1927 [IA 260]
Lt.
01.12.1929
Capt.
01.09.1936
A/Maj.
04.02.1942-03.05.1942
T/Maj.
04.05.1942-31.08.1944
Maj.
01.09.1944 (retd 27.12.1948)
A/Lt.Col.
06.06.1945-(01.1946)
Hon. Lt.Col.
27.12.1948
Education: Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
01.09.1927


commissioned, Unattached List (for Indian Army)
23.10.1928


commissioned, Indian Army



served The Scinde Horse (14th Prince of Wales's Own Cavalry)
1947?
 
 
Special List (ex-Indian Army)
Prentice,
John Wickham
J.W. Prentice
26.02.1913
Alresford district, Hampshire
-
1988
2nd Lt.
02.02.1933 [6 AI & 56814]
Lt.
02.05.1935
Capt.
02.02.1941
A/Maj.
15.01.1942-14.04.1944
T/Maj.
15.04.1942-30.06.1946
Maj.
01.07.1946 (retd 27.12.1948)
Hon. Lt.Col.
27.12.1948
Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE
28.06.1945
Italy
Military Cross MC
13.08.1942
Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
02.02.1933


commissioned, Unattached List (for Indian Army)
27.03.1934


commissioned, Indian Army (Poona Horse - Indian Armoured Corps)



served in Middle East (18th Cavalry) & Italy (17th Horse, HQ 43rd Gurkha Lorried Brigade)
Emigrated to Rhodesia, serving in the Rhodesian Guard Force at age 63.
Preston,
William Gerald
W.G. Preston

Son of Charles Preston, and Ellen Wheaton.
01.10.1900
Newton Poppleford, St Thomas district, Devon
-
(03?).1978
Surrey South Eastern district
SSI ?
Lt. 01.11.1942 [EC 6362]
T/Capt. 01.02.1943
WS/Capt. 14.09.1944
T/Maj. 14.09.1944-(04.1946)
WS/Maj. 01.06.1946 (reld 13.12.1946)
T/Lt.Col. 01.06.1946-13.12.1946
Hon. Lt.Col. 13.12.1946
01.11.1942     commissioned, Indian Army ("Special List" of Quartermasters-Engineers) [emergency commission]

 

Priest,
Walter James
W.J. Priest
?
-
Conductor
?
T/Lt. (Assistant Commissary)
28.09.1940 (reld > 04.1946)
28.09.1940


commissioned, Indian Army Departments [emergency commission]
1942
-
1945
POW in Japanese captivity
Prior,
Frank [Hershel James]
F. Prior
Married Rhoda Haynes; four children.
09.12.1897
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
-
05.1955
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Conductor
?
Lt. (Assistant Commissary)
19.03.1942
WS/Capt.
19.12.1945 (reld > 04.1947)
T/Maj.
03.08.1946-...
1939-1945 Star 39|45 St
-
-
Burma Star Bur St
-
-
British War Medal 1939-1945 BWM39|45
-
-
19.03.1942


commissioned, Indian Army Departments [emergency commission]



served Indian Army Ordnance Corps
14.08.1942


General Ordnance Sub-Depot
18.08.1942


Ordnance Officer, No. 4 Sub-Depot
18.11.1942


Flying Squad Officer HQ Eastern Army
16.06.1943


Ordnance Officer, HQ 151st Sub-Area
22.05.1944


HQ Sub-Area
16.09.1945


BRTC Ranchi
19.09.1945
-
26.03.1946
Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services, HQ BRT (voluntary deferment of release for two years 10.06.1945)
13.08.1946
-

Ordnance Officer (Administration)
Language Spoken: Urdu Colloquial - exam taken at Ferozepore Arsenal in 1928.
Prosser,
Michael Kemp
"Mike"
M.K. Prosser
?
-
2nd Lt.
18.04.1943
WS/Lt.
18.10.1943
WS/Capt.
?
Capt.
18.04.1951 [415965]
T/Maj.
?
Hon. Maj.
18.04.1951
18.04.1943


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
18.04.1951


Brigade of Gurkhas - Regular Army Reserve of Officers (Honorary Major)
Puckridge,
Terence William
T.W. Puckridge (Photo courtesy of Mr Charles Hawkshaw-Burn)
1913 ?
-
2nd Lt.
09.07.1942
WS/Lt.
09.01.1943
Maj.
(1947)
09.07.1942


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]
(1947)
 
 
HQ Southern Command, India (Poona)
Purslow,
Joseph Henry
J.H. Purslow
02.11.1910
Belgaum, India
-
02.05.1986
Perth, Western Australia
2nd Lt.
15.01.1941 [EC 1558]
WS/Capt.
15.04.1943 (reld 1948)
T/Maj.
15.04.1943-(04.1947)
1940


Officer Training School, Bangalore
15.01.1941


commissioned, Indian Army [emergency commission]



served Royal Indian Army Service Corps
14.03.1945
-
(04.1947)
a Deputy Assistant Director of Suplies, Quartermaster-General's Branch, India HQ Staff
Emigrated to Australia, mid 1950s.

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