An advertisement placed in the Times by Xan Fielding on 31 July 1950. Tough but sensitive ex-classical scholar, ex-secret agent, ex-guerrilla leader, 31, recently reduced to penury through incompatibility with the post-war world: Mediterranean lover, gambler, and general dabbler; fluent French and Greek speaker, some German, inevitable Italian: would do anything unreasonable and unexpected if sufficiently rewarding and legitimate.
I recall reading some of his columns in the Spectator, the last one from memory being in 1979 reporting on Rhodesia.
Personal Number: 159770 Rank: Major Name: Alexander Wallace FIELDING, DSO, MiD Unit: Cyprus Regiment ; Special Operations Executive ; Intelligence Corps London Gazette : 6 January 1941 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35034/supplement/130/data.pdf CYPRUS REGIMENT. The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts.:— 1st Sept. 1940: — Alexander Wallace FIELDING (159770). London Gazette : 15 October 1942 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35745/supplement/4479/data.pdf The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East: — The Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant Alexander Wallace Fielding (159770), The Cyprus Regiment. London Gazette : 30 August 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37244/supplement/4373/data.pdf The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gaJlant and distinguished services in the field: — Intelligence Corps. Maj. (temp.) A. W. FIELDING, D.S.O. (159770) London Gazette : 24 May 1949 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38618/supplement/2555/data.pdf INTELLIGENCE CORPS. The undermentioned Lts. (War Subs. Capts.) from Emerg. Commns. to be Capts., 1st Jan. 1949, and are granted the hon. rank of Maj.:— A. W. FIELDING (159770).
London Gazette : 30 August 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37244/supplement/4372/data.pdf https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37244/supplement/4373/data.pdf
Recommendation for Award for Fielding, Alexander Wallace Rank: Temporary Major ... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/98/294 Name Fielding, Alexander Wallace Rank: Temporary Major Service No: 159770 Regiment: Intelligence Corps Theatre of Combat or Operation: The London Omnibus List for Gallant and Distinguished Services in the Field Award: Mention-in-Despatches Date of announcement in London Gazette: 30 August 1945
His Wiki: Xan Fielding - Wikipedia and his 1991 Obituary from the Daily Telegraph (little post-war): Xan Fielding Obituary Pointer to a book in 2014: https://www.foliosociety.com/uk/blog/seeking-out-xan-fielding-part-two