15298 Major-General George Warren RICHARDS, CB, CBE, DSO*, MC, MiD****, Royal Tank Regiment

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  1. dbf

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    Personal Number: 15298
    Rank: Major-General
    Name: George Warren RICHARDS, CB, CBE, DSO*, MC, MiD****
    Unit: Royal Welch Fusiliers ; Royal Tank Regiment


    London Gazette : 15 August 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29708/page/8028/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the R. Mil. Coll., to be 2nd Lts. 16th Aug. 1916:—
    REGULAR FORCES.
    R. W. Fus.—
    George Warren Richards.

    London Gazette : 23 March 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30593/supplement/3698/data.pdf
    MACHINE GUN COUPS (MOTOR).
    2nd Lt. G. W. Richards R.W. Fus.) to be 2nd Lt. 23 Feb. 1918, with seniority 16 Aug. 1916.

    London Gazette : 13 August 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31504/supplement/10326/data.pdf
    Capt. G. W. Richards, 1/6th Welsh R,, T.F., relinquishes the actg. rank of Maj. on ceasing to be empld. as Comdt. Reception Camp. 16th Mar. 191

    London Gazette : 12 December 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31684/supplement/15442/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned rewards for distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in Egypt and Palestine. Dated 3rd June, 1919:—
    AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS.
    Lt. George Warren Richards, R.W. Fus. and M.G. Corps.

    London Gazette : 30 December 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7341/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February, 1941, to July, 1941:—
    R. T. R.
    Maj. (temp. Lt.-Col.) G. W. Richards, M.C. (15298).

    London Gazette : 13 August 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35665/page/3543/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.
    Brigadier (acting) George Warren Richards, M.C. (15298), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (Hawick, Scotland).

    London Gazette : 15 December 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35821/supplement/5438/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941, to April, 1942:—
    R.T.R.
    Brig, (actg.) G. W. Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298).

    London Gazette : 17 June 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36057/supplement/2759/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:—
    Bar to the Distinguished Service Order.
    Brigadier (temporary) George Warren Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Amoured Corps (Hawick, Scotland).

    London Gazette : 24 June 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36065/supplement/2854/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1st May, 1942, to 22nd October, 1942: —
    R.T.R.
    Brig, (temp.) G. W. Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298).

    London Gazette : 24 August 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36668/supplement/3917/data.pdf
    The KING has been .graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —
    To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —
    Major-General (acting) George Warren Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (Hawick, Scotland).

    London Gazette : 13 October 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36743/supplement/4675/data.pdf
    ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.
    Maj. (Actg. Maj.-Gen.) G. W. Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298), to be Lt.-Col., 9th Aug. 1944.

    London Gazette : 10 November 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36786/supplement/5135/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.
    R.T.R.
    Maj. (Actg. Maj.-Gen.) G. W. Richards, D.S.O., M.C. (15298), to be Lt.-Col., 10th Aug. 1944. (Substituted for the notifn. in Gazette (Supplement) dated 13th Oct. 1944.)

    London Gazette : 22 March 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1549/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:—
    R.T.R.
    Maj.-Gen. (actg.) G. W. Richards, C.B.E., D.S.O.. M.C. (15298).

    London Gazette : 24 May 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37091/supplement/2653/data.pdf
    The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the undermentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies: —
    DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC.
    Order of the White Lion, Third Class.
    Major-General George Warren. RICHARDS, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (15298), late Royal Armoured Corj/s.

    London Gazette : 5 July 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37161/supplement/3489/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:—
    To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order: —
    Major-General (temporary) George Warren RICHARDS, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (15298), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

    London Gazette : 9 August 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37213/supplement/4044/data.pdf
    The KING has been .graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe:—
    Commands and Staff.
    Maj.-Gen. (temp.) G. W. RICHARDS, C:B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (15298), late R.A.

    London Gazette : 15 August 1946
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37686/supplement/4103/data.pdf
    The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the undermentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies: —
    DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
    Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander.
    Major-General (temporary) George Warren RICHARDS, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. ,(15298), late Royal Armoured Conps.

    London Gazette : 10 January 1947
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37848/supplement/221/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Col. G. W. RICHARDS, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.,M.C. (15298), is re-granted the temp, rank of Maj.-Gen., 1st Jan. 1947.

    London Gazette : 28 February 1947
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37891/supplement/959/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Col. (now Maj.-Gen.) G. W. RICHARDS, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (15298), is re-granted the temp. rank of Major-Gen., 1st Jan. 1947. (Substituted for the notifn. in Gazette (Supplement) dated 10th Jan, 1947.)

    London Gazette : 19 April 1949
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38589/supplement/1945/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Maj.-Gen. G. W. RICHARDS. C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (15298), late R.A.C., retires on ret pay, 18th Apr. 1949.

    London Gazette : 15 July 1958
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41443/supplement/4417/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.
    Maj.-Gen. G. W. RICHARDS, C.B., C.B.E., D.SO., M.C. (15298), late R A .C., having attained the age limit of liability to recall, ceases to belong to the Res. of Qffrs., 4th July 1958.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2023
    dbf, Jan 1, 2022
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  2. dbf

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  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Oral history
    Object description
    • British officer served with 2nd Light Car Patrol, Motor Machine Gun Corps in Egypt, 1917-1918;
    • served with Light Armoured Motor Bde in Palestine and Syria, 1918-1919;
    • served with 4th Bn Tank Corps in GB, 1920;
    • served with 7th Armoured Car Coy, Tank Corps in India, 1921-1924;
    • served with 4th Bn Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1924-1926;
    • served with 5th Armoured Car Coy, Royal Tank Corps in Shanghai, China, 1927-1929;
    • served with 4th Bn Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1929-1931;
    • student with Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1934;
    • served as staff officer with 1st Tank Bde in GB, 1936-1939;
    • served as instructor with Senior Officers School, Sheerness and Tactical School, Bulford in GB, 1939-1940;
    • served as tank advisor to General Archibald Wavell and commanding officer of 4th Armoured Bde in North Africa, 1941-1943;
    • served as tank advisor to General Bernard Montgomery in North Africa and to 21st Army Group in North West Europe, 1943-1945

    Content description
    • REEL 1 Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Light Car Patrol, Motor Machine Gun Corps in Egypt, 1917-1918: background to joining unit from Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Egypt, 1/1917; reasons for transfer to unit; role of unit in Western Desert; mechanical problems in desert terrain; composition of car crews; logistical organisation of patrols; character of Model T Ford Patrol Car and Rolls-Royce Armoured Car; repair facilities; role of Duke of Westminster in development of unit.
    • REEL 2 Continues: description of typical patrol; use of Arab guides; mechanical problems encountered; modifications to vehicles; desert navigation and communications; story of rescue of crew of HMS Tara from Turkish captivity at Bir Hakeim, Libya, 1916. Recollections of operations as officer with Light Armoured Motor Bde in Palestine and Syria, 1918-1919: reconnaissance duties in Palestine; problems in removal of windscreens; method of advancing; nature of advance towards Aleppo, Syria, 1918.
    • REEL 3 Continues: capture of Aleppo, Syria; question of pace between mechanised units and cavalry; cavalry's attitude towards mechanised units; civil defence duties in Syria, 1919. Aspects of period as officer with 4th Bn Tank Corps at Wareham, GB, 1920: posting to unit at Wareham; character of unit and morale; training with Mark V Tank; question of proposed role of tank; driving course with Rolls-Royce Armoured Car. Aspects of period as officer with 7th Armoured Car Coy, Tanks Corps in India, 1921-1924: posting to Peshawar; mechanical problems encountered; patrol duties. Aspects of period as officer with 4th Bn Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1924-1927: training at Bovington and Catterick Camps; quality of corps officers.
    • REEL 4 Continues: training in infantry support role; advantages of Vicker Medium Tank Mark 1; memories of influence of General J F C Fuller on unit training; Major General George Lindsay's tactical concepts. Aspects of period as officer with 5th Armoured Car Coy, Royal Tank Corps in Shanghai, China, 1927-1929: posting to unit; voyage from GB to Shanghai; patrol duties in International Settlement; method of electrifying armoured cars; areas patrolled and accommodation. Aspects of period as officer with 4th Bn Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1929-1931: opinion of Basil Liddell-Hart.
    • REEL 5 Continues: opinion of Vickers Medium Tank and Morris-Martel Tankette; problems of seasickness in tanks; daily routine at Catterick Camp; training programme and mechanical ability of troops; organisation of unit and exercises; Colonel Percy Hobart's Tactical Exercises Without Troops; Basil Liddell-Hart's visits to unit; memories of Colonel Percy Hobart; infantry support role; opinion of J F C Fuller; character of tank communications; standard of recruits; gunnery training; duties as adjutant.
    • REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of period as staff officer with 1st Tank Bde in GB, 1936-1939: duties as staff captain during Salisbury Plain exercise; attitude of staff officers to tanks; memories of attending Staff College at Camberley, 1934 including quality of instructors; role as brigade-major from 1936; effect on morale of vehicle shortages; memories of Brigadier Percy Hobart, 1937; question of cavalry's attitude towards mechanisation, 1936-1937.
    • REEL 7 Continues: exercises with mechanised Territorial Army units; reaction to formation of Royal Armoured Corps, 1939. Aspects of period as instructor with Senior Officers School, Sheerness and Tactical School, Bulford in GB, 1939-1940: instructional duties at Senior Officers School, Sheerness; establishment of Tactical School at Bulford; character of syllabus at Tactical School. Aspects of operations as tank advisor to General Archibald Wavell and as commanding officer with 4th Armoured Bde in North Africa, 1941-1943: composition of brigade; opinion of Ordnance QF 2 Pounder Anti-tank Gun; question of political motive for Operation Battleaxe, 1941; role as tank advisor to General Archibald Wavell; opinion of Wavell. Aspects of period as tank advisor to General Bernard Montgomery and 21st Army Group in North Africa and North West Europe, 1943-1945: General Bernard Montgomery's method of working.
    • REEL 8 Continues: comparison between Generals Archibald Wavell's and Bernard Montgomery's use of tanks; duties as General Bernard Montgomery's tank advisor; deficiencies of Ordnance QF 2 Pounder Gun; reasons for lack of spare parts for tanks, 1940-1942; role as tank advisor to 21st Army Group; opinion of General George S Patton; General Bernard Montgomery's style of command; role commanding 4th Armoured Bde during first Battle of El Alamein and advance into Tunisia.
     
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  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  13. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Fascinating, thanks for that.

    That was a rapid advancement from Major to Brigadier in the course of months in 1942.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
    Andreas, Mar 11, 2023
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  14. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Pic courtesy of "The Valentine in N Africa" by Bryan Perrin.

    upload_2023-3-11_9-24-26.png

    Gus
     
    gmyles, Mar 11, 2023
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    Chris C and dbf like this.
  15. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Last edited: Mar 11, 2023
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