8427 Brigadier Eric Edward DORMAN-SMITH (Dorman O'Gowan), MC, MiD, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by dbf, Dec 19, 2021.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 8427
    Rank: Brigadier
    Name: Eric Edward DORMAN-SMITH, MC, MiD***
    Unit: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers


    London Gazette : 24 February 1914
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28806/page/1550/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets from the Royal Military College to be
    Second Lieutenants. Dated 25th February, 1914: —
    The Northumberland Fusiliers, Eric Edward Dorman-Smith.

    London Gazette : 9 December 1914
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29001/supplement/10555/data.pdf
    The Northumberland Fusiliers, Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants: —
    E. E. Dorman-Smith.

    London Gazette : 24 March 1915
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29111/supplement/2945/data.pdf
    The Northumberland Fusiliers
    The undermentioned Second Lieutenants (temporary Lieutenants) to be Lieutenants:—
    E. E. Dorman-Smith. Dated 2nd. January, 1915.

    London Gazette : 29 July 1915
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29245/page/7443/data.pdf
    The Northumberland Fusiliers
    The undermentioned Lieutenants to be temporary Captains:—
    Eric E. Dorman-Smith. Dated 28tb June, 1915.

    London Gazette : 14 January 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29438/supplement/582/data.pdf
    Awarded the Military Cross.
    Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Eric Edward Dorman-Smith, Northumberland Fusiliers.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29422/supplement/33/data.pdf
    In accordance with the last paragraph of my Despatch of the 15th October, 1915, I have the honour to bring to notice the names of those whom I recommend for gallant and distinguished service in the field. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. D.P. FRENCH, Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief The British Army in France.
    NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.
    Dorman-Smith, Lieutenant (temporary Captain) E. E.

    London Gazette : 27 December 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29881/supplement/12635/data.pdf
    North'd Fus.—
    The undermentioned Lts. to be Capts.: —
    E. E. Dorman-Smith. 26th Aug. 1916.

    London Gazette : 9 April 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30618/supplement/4289/data.pdf
    North'd Fus.
    Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., to be- actg. Maj. while 2nd in comd. of a Bn. 16 Oct. 1917.

    London Gazette : 30 May 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30711/supplement/6332/data.pdf
    I have the honour to submit a list of names of those officers, ladies, non-commissioned officers, and men, serving, or who have served, under my Command, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider deserving of special mention.
    I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your obedient Servant, HERBERT PLUMER, Gen.
    NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.
    Dorman-Smith, Capt. E. E., M.C.

    London Gazette : 8 October 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30941/supplement/11849/data.pdf
    Durh. L.I.
    Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., (North'd Fus.), to be temp. Maj. 7 July 1918.

    London Gazette : 6 January 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31106/supplement/280/data.pdf
    I have the honour to submit a list of names of those officers, ladies, non-commissioned officers and men serving, or who have served, under my command during the period February 26th, 1918, to midnight, September 14th, 1918, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider de- serving of special mention.
    CAVAN, General.
    NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.
    Dorman-Smith, Capb. (A./Maj.) E. E., M.C., 10th Bn.

    London Gazette : 4 October 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31584/supplement/12384/data.pdf
    HD.-QRS. FO REMBARKATION DUTIES.
    Asst.Mil.LandingOfficer (Cl.FF).— Lt.M. Mitchell, 3rd Glouc. R., Spec. Res., and to be temp. Capt. whilst so empld., vice Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., North'dFus. 1st Sept. 1919.

    London Gazette : 23 September 1924
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32976/page/6979/data.pdf
    North'd. Fus.—Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., is secd, for serv. as an Offr. of a Co. of Gentlemen Cadets at the R. Mil. Coll. 28th Aug. 1924.

    London Gazette : 21 January 1927
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33241/page/436/data.pdf
    Offr. of a Co. of Gentlemen Cadets.—Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., North'd Fus., relinquishes his appt. 21st Jan. 1927.

    London Gazette : 2 January 1931
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33676/page/61/data.pdf
    To be Bt. Majs.
    Capt. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., North'd Fus.

    London Gazette : 27 January 1933
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33906/page/591/data.pdf
    COMMANDS AND STAFF.
    The undermentioned relinquish their appts. : —
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., North'd Fus., as Bde. Maj., 6th Inf. Bde. 15th Jan. 1933.

    London Gazette : 24 November 1933
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33998/page/7608/data.pdf
    INFANTRY.
    North'd Fus.—
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., to be Maj. 23rd Nov. 1933.

    London Gazette : 3 July 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34066/page/4230/data.pdf
    HALF-YEARLY BREVETS.
    The undermentioned promotions are made. 1st July 1934:—
    To be Bt. Lt.-Ools.
    Maj. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M .C ., North'd Fus.

    London Gazette : 30 April 1937
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34393/page/2805/data.pdf
    R. North'd Fus.—
    Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., to be Lt.-Col. 26th Apr. 1937.

    London Gazette : 27 May 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34514/page/3421/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Lt.-Col. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., h.p. list (empld.) to be Bt. Col. under the prov. of Art. 182A, Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, 1931. 10th May 1938.

    London Gazette : 1 July 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34527/page/4242/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Lt.-Cols. & Bt. Cols, to be Cols, 1st July 1938:—
    E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C., from h.p..list (empld.), late R. North'd Fus., with, seniority 10th May 1938.

    London Gazette : 30 December 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7340/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:—
    Brig, (temp.) E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C. (8427), late R. North'd Fus.

    London Gazette : 28 July 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35645/supplement/3293/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    The undermentioned are granted the actg. rank of Maj.-Gen.:—
    Col. (temp. Brig.) E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C. (8427). 16th June 1942.

    London Gazette : 24 June 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36065/supplement/2853/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: —
    Brig, (temp.) E. E. Dorman-Smith, M.C. (8427), late R. North'd. Fus.

    London Gazette : 15 December 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36837/supplement/5723/data.pdf
    Col. E. E. Dorman-Smith, M .C . (8427) retires on ret. pay, 14th Dec.1944, and is granted the hon. rank of Brig.

    London Gazette : 18 August 1953
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39939/supplement/4469/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.
    The undermentioned Cols. (Hon. Brigs.) having attained the age limit of liability to recall, cease to belong to the Res. of Offrs., on the dates shown:—
    E. E. DORMAN O'GOWAN, M.C. (8427), late Inf., 24th July 1953.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2021
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  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  5. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Chris C and dbf like this.
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I did notice that - unlike so many of his peers in all those gazette listings - he wasn't awarded even a DSO, never mind the CBE.
    The MC and 2 of his 4 mentions are WW1.


    Eric Dorman-Smith - Wikipedia

    The key characteristic of Dorman-Smith's career is that he was not politically astute and made a number of enemies in the 1920s and 1930s who worked against him, including Penney, Montgomery and most significantly in view of his fall from grace, Brooke
    ...
    He sued Churchill, forcing him to amend The Hinge of Fate, part of his history of the Second World War, so that an implied slur on the fighting mettle of Auchinleck was removed.[81] Less acrimoniously, Montgomery was forced to tone down his criticisms of his predecessors in the Eighth Army, when he published his memoirs in August 1958. When Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander brought out his memoirs in 1961, "Chink" was preparing his case but his legal team advised him to withdraw.[92]



    Given where I live, I found this interesting:
    During 1955–56, his estate was used as a training-ground by the IRA two weekends a year, but he was excluded from playing a role despite his eagerness to assist.[84] He does not appear to have kept these contacts secret. Daphne du Maurier, wife of his former Sandhurst adjutant Frederick "Boy" Browning, wrote a story about this side of his life, "A Border-Line Case".[85]

    The British establishment appears to have dismissed him as a harmless crank.[86] On 15 December 1956, after the failure of Operation Harvest and the introduction of the Special Powers Act, Seán Cronin visited to convey the message that his usefulness to the IRA was over.[87]
     
  7. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Lavinia Greacen’s has written a biography of 'Chink' is available on Amazon and their review section ends with:
    From: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chink-Biography-Lavinia-Greacen/dp/1910670367 With x112 reviews and appears to have held its price.

    There is another book by Lavinia G 'Military Maverick' which is a compendium of his letters and writings, which is due out Spring 2024 and is being published by Pen & Sword.
     
  8. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    "Chink" was an exceedingly bright, educated and cosmopolitan (he mixed with Ernest Hemingway and his set in Paris) officer. Auchinleck prized his abilities, but he rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way and he made influential enemies. I spent my second year at Manchester University (Military Studies, a course that did not endure long) studying the first half of 1942 in the Middle East and Gazala in particular. Our lecturer had a particular affinity for mavericks and pointed us at Chink as effective, brilliant and out of place. Monty detested him - which may explain the lack of higher honours. When Monty took agin you, you were done. Unless Brooke liked you. Not in this case. After the war, he retired to Ireland, modified his name and expressed sympathy for Irish republicanism.- not a way to regain favour.
     
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