Personal number: 217295 Rank: Brigadier Name: Geoffrey PROUDMAN, CBE, MiD** Unit: Royal Corps of Signals London Gazette : 9 December 1941 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35372/supplement/6983/data.pdf ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS. The undermentioned Cadets to be 2nd Lts. 15th Nov. 1941:— Geoffrey PROUDMAN (217295). London Gazette : 16 January 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36892/supplement/393/data.pdf ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS. The undermentioned 2nd L ts. (War Subs. Lts.) from emergency commns. to be Lts., 17th Jan. 1945, with seniority as stated: — Geoffrey PROUDMAN (217295). 24th Sept. 1944. London Gazette : 22 March 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1556/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:— Royal Corps of Signals. Capt. G. Proudman (217295). London Gazette : 7 January 1949 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38505/supplement/125/data.pdf The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Palestine during the period 27th September, 1946—26th March, 1947: — ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS. Maj. (temp.) G. PROUDMAN(217295). London Gazette : 25 March 1949 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38571/supplement/1531/data.pdf ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS. The undermentioned Lts. to be Capts.:— (War Subs. Capt.) G. PROUDMAN (217295), 24th Mar. 1949. London Gazette : 1 January 1964 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43200/supplement/8/data.pdf The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: To be Ordinary Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order : Major Geoffrey PROUDMAN (217295), Royal Corps of Signals London Gazette : 23 January 1968 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44508/supplement/878/data.pdf HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve that the under-named be Mentioned in Despatches for Distinguished Services in South Arabia: Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey PROUDMAN (217295), Royal Corps of Signals. London Gazette : 13 February 1968 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44523/supplement/1771/data.pdf ERRATA London Gazette Supplement dated 23rd January 1968: No. 44508. Page 878 For: Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey PROUDMAN (217295), Royal Corps of Signals Read: Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey PROUDMAN, M.B.E. (217295), Royal Corps of Signals. London Gazette : 2 July 1968 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44625/supplement/7344/data.pdf PROMOTIONS REGULAR ARMY The undermentioned Lt.-Cols. to be Cols., 30th Jun. 1968: G. PROUDMAN, M.B.E. (217295), from R. Signals. London Gazette : 1 July 1969 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44885/supplement/6782/data.pdf PROMOTIONS REGULAR ARMY Commands and Staff G . PROUDMAN, M.B.E. (217295), late R. Signals. London Gazette : 14 June 1975 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46593/supplement/7374/data.pdf THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: To be Ordinary Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order : Brigadier Geoffrey PROUDMAN, (217295), late Royal Corps of Signals.
London Gazette : 22 March 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548/data.pdf https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1556/data.pdf
Recommendation for Award for Proudman, Geoffrey Rank: Brigadier Service No: ... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/175/440 Name Proudman, Geoffrey Rank: Brigadier Service No: 217295 Regiment: Royal Corps of Signals Theatre of Combat or Operation: Birthday Honours Award: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Date of announcement in London Gazette: 14 June 1975
See also: Obituary - https://www.216parasigs.org.uk/inmemorium/documents/ProudmanGeoffreyOrbit.pdf "Brigadier Geoffrey Proudman CBE Geoffrey was born on 24 March 1922, and educated at Birkenhead School and Manchester University. He was subsequently commissioned in R Signals, and became one of the first operational parachutists in Airborne Forces. On D-Day, as the Airlanding Brigade Signal Officer, with a troop consisting of a 2ic, 2 Sgts and 46 soldiers, Geoffrey suffered the loss of his 2ic, 1 Sgt wounded on arrival, and 12 soldiers killed or wounded, all during the first day. He was able nevertheless to establish and maintain communications to all the battalions, and a direct Morse link to the UK for resupply. The 3 carrier pigeons taken along for emergencies were subsequently to prove an expensive snack when rations ran short! During the first 24 hours, Geoffrey and 6 soldiers laid 40 miles of cable to reinforce the low-power manpacks they had brought, which involved moving around in forward areas in constant danger of enemy fire. During the battle of Breville, being concerned that operational comms would not provide adequate control of mortars and supporting artillery, he climbed a telegraph pole to check the civilian line, and heard a German voice issuing instructions. To discourage their use, he connected a pedal generator and got one of his biggest Linemen to apply his strength, after which there was complete silence. The short section of the line could then be used! The following day, a mortar blast caused him temporary blindness and concussion, but he continued in action until eventually seeking medical treatment. Geoffrey was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions on D-Day. In March 1945, Geoffrey took part in Operation Varsity, the airborne assault over the Rhine, when his glider was hit some 40 feet above the ground, and, as he put it, “Quite a lot of things got bent.” However, he and 6 soldiers survived the crash. He was later promoted Major in the field. Immediately afterwards, he served with distinction with 6th Airborne Div in Palestine. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his part in the campaign against the terrorists. In April 1948, after an eventful two years in Palestine, 6 AB Div returned to UK, and was reduced in number to Bde strength. The new Bde was designated 16 Independent Para Bde Group, to which the words Sig Sqn were attached to cover R Sigs involvement. The Sqn was commanded by Maj G Proudman until Oct 1948. In 1952, Geoffrey attended the Staff College at Quetta, passing out top, and shortly after he became GSO2 Ops in Malaya, serving throughout the emergency against the communist terrorists. In 1960, he was selected to attend the US Command & General Staff College, where he passed out equal second of some 800 students. Promoted Lt Col in 1964, Geoffrey commanded 3 Div Sig Regt, where he served in Cyprus with the UN. Having a horror of serving in peacetime BAOR, which he regarded as a waste of time, he was posted as DAA & QMG to the Aden Bde, a large formation with 7 major units, and all the base installations. He remained in Aden until the British withdrawal, and was once more Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service. Having a flair for teaching the young, Geoffrey was made a Company Commander at RMA Sandhurst from 1948-52. He formed the YO Training Wing at Catterick in 1958, and returned to command Victory College RMAS in 1968. Promoted Brig in 1969, he became CSO Strategic Command, and then Director of Operational Requirement in MOD. There his responsibilities included the initiation, development, and introduction of special anti-terrorist equipment for Northern Ireland during the early part of the emergency. His last appointment was Dep Adjt Gen at UKLF. Geoffrey retired from the Army in 1877. Geoffrey was awarded the MBE in 1964 and the CBE in 1975. On retirement, he took up an appointment with the Community Council for Wiltshire, and worked successfully to improve the lot of village halls, sports, and playing fields in the county. He became Director of the British Deer Society, where he pursued his special interests for animals and the environment. Latterly, he devoted his time to the welfare of his local community. Geoffrey Proudman died suddenly on 6th May 2006. He had married Pamela Caw in 1943; there were no children. (Extract from The Journal RSI, 2006, author unknown. Edited by RAH, 2012)"
