394172 Brigadier Blair Stirling MOULD, DSO, OBE, MC - 21st Indian Infantry Brigade: photo wanted

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by EmpireUmpire, Feb 23, 2022.

  1. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    Hi all,

    I am looking for photos of Brigadier, later Major General Blair Mould. He commanded the 21st Indian Infantry Brigade in Italy 1943-45.

    If anyone can assist I would be extremely grateful.

    Kind regards
    Emps
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Only one I could find online... am supposing you already know about this and are looking for something better.

    EIGHTH ARMY : ACROSS THE RIVER SENIO
    Original wartime caption: General Russel, 9th Indian Division Commander, with Brigadier B.S. Mould, C.O. 21st Tank Brigade, at the latter's Tac H.Q.
    large_NA_023934_1.jpg
    large_NA_023934_2.jpg

    "for story see NA 23932" -
    EIGHTH ARMY : ACROSS THE RIVER SENIO
     
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  3. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    Hi, thanks for taking the time to have a look and post the image.

    Yes, I had seen that one but as you say would prefer something a little clearer. I am surprised that there are so few pics of a Major General with a DSO, OBE and MC + a smattering of MiDs. Not to mention the fact his father was a CMG winner and grandfather was also a Major General with an Order of the Bath.

    The search continues.

    Cheers
     
  4. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    upload_2022-2-23_10-40-49.png

    Took a while and I nearly gave up. The IWM caption states:
    Production date 1945-04-11 (IWM do permit non-commercial use on a website like this i.e.no pay wall).
    Odd that he is shown as C.O. 21st Tank Brigade. Wiki says not: 21st Indian Infantry Brigade - Wikipedia and 8th Infantry Division (India) - Wikipedia shows the 21st Tank Brigade was assigned to the division (minus a date). 21st Indian Brigade Wiki shows him as C.O. when photo taken: 21st Indian Infantry Brigade - Wikipedia

    There is a Wiki for General Dudley Russell: Dudley Russell - Wikipedia and a photo taken August 1945 Sir Dudley Russell - National Portrait Gallery (Unsure if NPG will allow use here).

    There is another photo below, the moustache clinches it for me that Blair Mould is the figure on the left in the IWM photo. From: Biography of Lieutenant-General Dudley Russell (1896 – 1978), Great Britain

    [​IMG]
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Have you tried searching any of the online newspaper archives at all? If not, perhaps one of our members with a subscription could try?

    I'll edit the title to indicate image request. (I've been posting a lot of basic, dry threads about Brigadiers & Generals recently so this one might just be stepped over as 'more of the same'.)

    Good luck!
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2022
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    EmpireUmpire wrote:
    I am not an imagery expert, nor one on the British-Indian Army, that caveat aside. From Mould's brief, known history he was an Indian Army officer who had served for a time with the Royal Fusiliers. The size of the Indian Army in WW2 of two million plus meant there were thousands of British officers who served and left afterwards. After the war it appears he emigrated, like some other Indian veterans to the attractive climate and easy living style in Southern Rhodesia till his death in 1961.
     
  7. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    If he was involved in industry in Rhodesia—many senior officers took up directorships and advisory roles—industry publications may be a possible source for a post-war image.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2022
  8. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Charley,

    He was born 1897, Malvern School 1912-1914, then Sandhurst, served in WW1 (no dates), retired in 1948 and died in 1961. From: Biography of Major-General Blair Stirling Mould (1897 – 1961), Great Britain and https://www.malverniansocietyarchiv...0528.pdf&origFilename=Malvernian1961_0528.pdf

    So he would have quite young if he emigrated directly in 1948, dying when 64yrs old.

    I did check for Southern Rhodesia and found nothing. Not particularly surprised as it was a small European / white population in those years, so records e.g. company reports, would not have migrated to the Internet era. Their army was tiny, the police were the leading state body.
     
  9. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    EmpireUmpire,

    Are there any photos in the published, possibly official history of the 8th Indian Infantry Division? The text is on the Internet Archive. I have not looked to see if the book is available.
     
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Screenshot 2022-02-23 at 10.55.16 PM.png
     
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  11. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    You may have this, but his DSO award, which outlines his career up to that point…..


    [​IMG]
     
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  12. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    Hello everyone - thank you so much for the time you have all taken to search and reply.

    I understand that his Service Records are available through the British Library so I will be applying for those in due course - for the mean time this is what I have put together: -

    Service

    · Born 19/09/1897.
    · Attended Sandhurst Military Academy for 6 months.
    · Enlisted 03/04/1915 served as a Private in East Africa1915-17; 25th Royal Fusiliers.
    · Commissioned 2/Lt., Indian Army Reserve of Officers. 17/07/1917 – posted to 1st Bn 2nd Gurkha Rifles.
    · A/Capt, 23-28/05/1918.
    · Promoted Lt, 27/07/1918.
    · Served in Mesopotamia 07/02/1918 – 10/06/1918.
    · Served in North West Persia 11/06/1918 – 31/05/1919.
    · Promoted Lt., Indian Army Regular Commission, 19/05/1919.
    · A/Capt while commanding a Company, 4th Bn 3rd Gurkha Rifles 28/04/1920 – 19/05/1920.
    · Served North West Frontier of India 1919-1920 (medal and Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21 clasps).
    · Awarded Military Cross, London Gazette 27/09/1920 Lt., 1/2nd attd 4/3rd Gurkha Rifles ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty on the 17th February 1920, at Makin, when he went forward with Captain Hind in the attack on the tower, and took over the command when that officer was wounded. By determination he was enabled to set the tower alight, and subsequently, when sniping was heavy, succeeded in evacuating his wounded under cover of dusk. His able handling of the situation brought the action to a successful termination.‘.
    · A/Capt., 21/01/1921.
    · Sec’d as Adjutant (temp Capt), 1st Gurkha Rifles 04/05/1921 – 01/10/1921.
    · Captain 23/04/1923.
    · General Staff Officer 3 (India) 14/02/1931 – 01/04/1932.
    · Brevet Major 01/01/1935.
    · Staff Captain (India) 02/04/1932 – 14/02/1935.
    · Major 1st Gurkha Rifles 24/04/1936.
    · Brigade Major 01/11/1936 – 30/06/1940 1st Gurkha Rifles.
    · Served in Waziristan NW Frontier of India 1937-38.
    · Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 16/08/1938.
    · Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 17/10/1939.
    · Awarded Order of the British Empire, London Gazette 17/10/1939.
    · Transferred to 10th Gurkha Rifles.
    · Served in Waziristan 1940.
    · Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 20/06/1941.
    · A/Lt –Col 24/04/1941.
    · Commanding Officer 1st Bn 2nd Gurkha Rifles 24/07/1941.
    · Temporary Brigadier, Commanding 21st Indian Infantry Brigade 1943-1947.
    · Served in Italy.
    · Awarded Distinguished Service OrderLondon Gazette 06/04/1944 Brigadier Mould commanded 21 Indian Infantry Brigade during the crossing of the Moro River, 08/09 December 1943. His skill in establishing a bridgehead enabled a very difficult bridge to be constructed over this river. To enlarge this bridgehead, further attacks were necessary up to the Ortona-Orsogna Lateral. The Brigadier Mould planned and carried out with such skill that this route, originally intended as a subsidiary one, developed into a major thrust against the enemy. Throughout this operation Brigadier Mould was quite unperturbed under fire and in the face of many difficulties, and he displayed leadership of a very high order.‘.
    · A/Major General 11/02/1947.
    · Granted Honorary rank of Major General 28/07/1948.
    · Died Rhodesia 1961.


    Awards

    · Distinguished Service Order (Italy 1943)
    · Order of the British Empire (Waziristan 1938)
    · Military Cross (Waziristan 1920)
    · 1914-15 Star
    · War Medal
    · Victory Medal
    · India General Service Medal (1908-35)
    · India General Service Medal (1936-39) (2x Mention in Despatches)
    · 1939-45 Star
    · Africa Star (Syria)
    · Italy Star
    · Defence Medal
    · War Medal (Mentioned in Despatches)
    · India Service Medal

    Cheers
     
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  13. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    It appears that Brigadier Mould was educated for two years at Malvern School 1912-1914, as their journal / magazine in March 1914 refers to him five times, mainly playing sports. See: https://www.malverniansocietyarchiv...0342.pdf&origFilename=Malvernian1914_0342.pdf

    See the notice for his passing in 1961, in their journal / magazine. See pg. 42 in: https://www.malverniansocietyarchiv...0528.pdf&origFilename=Malvernian1961_0528.pdf

    Would this group be interested in having a short biography of him? See:
    They now publish the magazine and have on open access all the back numbers.
    From: Malvernian Society | Alumni Association of Malvern College

    There is this wiki: List of Old Malvernians - Wikipedia and he is not listed.
     
  14. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Looking at the photos again I am not convinced the IWM photo (Posts 2 & 4) shows Brigadier Mould. I think the figure on the right, with the walking stick and wearing shorts, with a beret, is in fact the 8th Indian Infantry Division commander, Dudley Russell. I have re-visited the national Portrait Gallery and their photo (below) can be used on a website like this. See: Use this Image - National Portrait Gallery

    upload_2022-2-24_20-6-56.png

    In Post 4 I found the below photo, minus any details of origin and in my opinion it is correctly Dudley Russell.
    [​IMG]

    The beret badge appears on the IWM photo and the one above are similar, likewise the moustache and the medals not clearly shown on the IWM photo could be the vague shape on the NPG photo.

    What is even more puzzling is the official history - thanks to Charley - shows Brigadier Mould with a light moustache, not what appears to be bushy one which Dudley Russell has.

    So could the IWM photo show the 8th Division CO, Dudley Russell on the right and on the left, the balding male with no headgear, is the 21st Tank Brigade CO?

    Wiki:21st Army Tank Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia alas does not identify any commanding officer - see next post.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2022
  15. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    The IWM photo was taken on 11/4/1945 and at that time the CO of 21st Tank Brigade was:
    From: Biography of Major-General Charles Edward Anson Firth (1902 – 1991), Great Britain and Charles Firth (British Army officer) - Wikipedia

    The NPG has a 1954 B&W photo of Brigadier Firth (below):

    upload_2022-2-24_20-57-1.png
    From: Charles Edward Anson Firth - National Portrait Gallery

    On a search I could not find a WW2 photo of him. So the only positive is he has no moustache.

    (Deleted text as it was a mistake).
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2022
  16. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    David,

    Your attached file labelled Charles Firth.png is, in fact, a photograph of eccentric American film director, John Waters. If you had seen his movie "Polyester" in 1981, you'd be given a card in the lobby with numbers on it. During the movie, a number would pop up on the screen and you would scratch the corresponding number on your card and have a whiff. I remember the burning rubber tire was rather pongy.

    Just one site, at random, with the same photo you've posted. John Waters Quote

    Regards,

    Dave
     
  17. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    Hilarious! If I was drinking a tea, I would have spat it out.
     
  18. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    I am certain that the chap on the left in the photo taken in Italy is Brigadier Mould - the reference to 21st Tank Brigade is certainly an error as Mould was CO of 21st Indian Infantry Brigade which was part of Russells 8th Indian Infantry Division.

    Cheers
     
  19. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Alien Eyes,

    Thanks for the update, I am aware that websites sometimes have the wrong information and this is one. Never heard of the American either.

    EmpireUmpire,

    The 21st Tank Brigade was attached to the 8th though at that time. See: Operation Grapeshot order of battle - Wikipedia So it is possible the caption / card is correct and incorrect at the same time. Without a photo of Charles Firth in WW2 the "jury is out".
     
  20. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    Hi David,

    I have done a side by side comparison on the photo taken in 1945 in Italy and the one in the book of Mould. They are certainly the same man, the distinctive shape of the nose is clearly visible.

    I am satisfied its the same man.

    Kind regards
     
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