Brigadier D W Furlong DSO, OBE, MC

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by nicks, Apr 30, 2009.

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  1. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Whilst looking through the CWGC database for casualties from Chippenham, I came across the following officer.

    Name: FURLONG, DENNIS WALTER
    Initials: D W
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Brigadier
    Regiment/Service: General Staff
    Secondary Regiment: Royal Berkshire Regiment
    Age: 43
    Date of Death: 05/09/1940
    Awards: D S O, O B E, M C
    Additional information: Husband of Nancy Furlong (nee Charrington) of Chippenham, Wiltshire.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 76. Cemetery: KILHAM CEMETERY

    I have done a bit of Googling etc and come up with the following MC Citation and WW1 MIC. Can anybody add anymore biographical information.

    Military Cross Citation.

    Lt. Dennis Walter Furlong, R. Berks. R.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a dangerous reconnaissance under very heavy fire, and sent in an invaluable report. Later, he moved up some men to fill a gap and placed several machine guns in a favourable position.

    Thanks,

    Nick
     

    Attached Files:

    nicks, Apr 30, 2009
    #1
  2. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    The War in Frnace 1939 - 1940 6th Brigade—Brigadier N. M. S. Irwin (to 20th May)
    Brigadier D. W. Furlong (from 20th May) 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers
    1st Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment
    2nd Battalion The Durham Light Infantry
     
    englandphil, Apr 30, 2009
    #2
  3. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    His Widow (Nancy) remarried in Oct 41 after his death.

    She married Sir John Greer Dill

    The NA also have him listed as Staffordshire regiment


    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    Birth Entry

    Name: Dennis Walter Furlong
    Year of Registration: 1897
    Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
    District: Brentford
    County: Middlesex

    1901 Census Entry
     

    Attached Files:

    englandphil, Apr 30, 2009
    #3
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Nicks, more to follow:

    From The Times, Wednesday, September 11, 1940

    PERSONAL TRIBUTE
    BRIGADIER D.W. FURLONG

    A brother officer writes:-
    The death in action of Brigadier Furlong, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., is a severe loss to the Army, which loses a very brave and capable commander. His brother officers in The Royal Berkshire Regiment have lost an old comrade whose best years were devoted to service abroad with the first battalion. He will always be remembered by the happy band of warriors who served with the 49th at Hillah in Mesopotamia, and at Kasvin in N.W. Persia. Later at Bareilly, and on the N.W. Frontier, when he was adjutant of the battalion, he was responsible for a large share in the efficiency of a very good battalion. His quiet humour and his talent for seeing the amusing side of the occasional reverses which fell to our lot, led him to play leading parts in the regimental concert party for many years, while his contributions to the China Dragon were invariably welcomed by an editor to whom such material came all too seldom. The care which he lavished on his particular hobby, the drums of the 49th, exemplified the attention to detail applied to everything Dennis undertook. Although not naturally athletic he was a keen tennis player, represented his company at hockey, and was always ready to turn out for the officers in their frequent contests with the sergeants at every sort of game.

    After several hot weathers in the plains, shared with the same few comrades, the writer got to know Dennis better than most others. His natural wit and powers of repartee added to the pleasure of dining in mess after a long Indian day, which never failed to supply him with incidents lending themselves to humorous description. In later years the Staff College claimed him, and a succession of Staff appointments prevented him from serving with the regiment. Occasional meetings in the hunting field and joyous reunions at the regimental dinner showed that Dennis had not lost the entertaining insouciance of Bareilly days. His gallantry in the recent operations in France was rewarded with the D.S.O. Had he lived he would have gone far in his profession.
     
    dbf, Apr 30, 2009
    #4
  5. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    His Widow (Nancy) remarried in Oct 41 after his death.

    She married Sir John Greer Dill

    The NA also have him listed as Staffordshire regiment


    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    Thanks for that. I'm still trying to find the link with my town as his name is not on the memorial and I think he was born in Brentford, Middlesex.

    Nick
     
    nicks, Apr 30, 2009
    #5
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Times, Monday, September 9, 1940


    OBITUARY
    FALLEN OFFICERS

    “THE TIMES” LIST OF CASUALTIES

    We have received news of the deaths of the following officer, in addition to those whose names have been published in the official list: -

    THE ARMY
    … FURLONG, BRIGADIER, D.W., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. …

    BRIGADIER DENNIS WALTER FURLONG, D.S.O, O.B.E., M.C., who was born in 1897, entered the Army in 1915, obtaining his commission in The Royal Berkshire Regiment, and saw active service in the last War, being mentioned twice in dispatches, made O.B.E. and awarded the Military Cross. He served as G.S.O., Supreme War Council, Versailles, with the Rhine Army, and in North Russia. He again saw active service in the Iraq operations 1919-20, in Waziristan 1921-24, and in Palestine 1936. From 1932 to 1934 he was Staff Captain at the War Office and later was appointed Brigade Major, Aldershot Command, and in 1937-38 was D.A.A. and Q.M.G. Palestine and Transjordan. In 1938 he was gazetted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.
     
    dbf, Apr 30, 2009
    #6
  7. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    dbf

    Thank you excellent info. He was obviously a liked and respected officer.

    Nick
     
    nicks, Apr 30, 2009
    #7
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Times, Saturday, June 15, 1940

    ARMY DECORATIONS
    SIX AWARDS OF D.S.O.

    The War Office issues the following list, showing Immediate Awards made by the Commander-in-Chief, B.E.F., in connexion with recent operations:-

    DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
    …

    FURLONG, COLONEL (ACTING BRIGADIER) DENNIS WALTER, O.B.E., M.C.
    Assuming command of Sixth Infantry Brigade in the period of its withdrawal from Belgium, Brigadier Furlong proved himself by personal bearing and example a leader to be trusted. On arrival in the Aire-La Bassee canal sector it was found that the sector of the front allotted to the brigade was in fact in enemy hands. When ordered to retake the line of the canal the brigade proceeded with utmost courage and determination, and although the complete success of their efforts was denied them, the brigade devoted itself to its task thereby holding the enemy during 48 critical hours notwithstanding the very heavy casualties that they suffered. Finally surrounded but indomitable, the remains of the brigade were led back to our lines by the gallant leadership and example of Brigadier Furlong. Although they were decimated, the period May 26-28 must be regarded as epic days by Sixth Infantry Brigade.
     
    dbf, Apr 30, 2009
    #8
    nicks likes this.
  9. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    LONDON GAZETTE TUESDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 1940
    . The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major & Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (acting
    Brigadier) Dennis Walter Furlong, O.B.E.,
    - M C., -late The - Royal.. Berkshire Regiment
    (Princess' Charlotte of Wales's). (To be'
    dated 4th September, 1940.)

    Copy from LG
    21 January 1941Brigadier DENNIS WALTER FURLONG, Deceased.
    ALL persons having claims against the estate of
    Brigadier Dennis Walter Furlong of the Royal Berkshire
    Regiment formerly of Becketts Hartley Wintney
    Hants who died on the 5th September 1940 on War
    Service and whose Will was proved by Edward
    Addison Doughty Brigadier Miles Christopher
    Dempsey and Bernard Walter Machell the executors
    on the i4th January 1941 are required to send in
    particulars thereof in writing to the undersigned at
    the address stated on or before the 3ist March 1941
    after which date the executors will proceed to distribute
    the assets having regard only to the r.laims
    of which it shall then have had notice.—Dated i7th
    January 1941.
    WITHERS and CO., 4, Arundel Street, Strand.
    (043) W.C.2
     
    Verrieres, Apr 30, 2009
    #9
  10. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    LONDON GAZETTE TUESDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 1940
    . The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major & Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (acting
    Brigadier) Dennis Walter Furlong, O.B.E.,
    - M C., -late The - Royal.. Berkshire Regiment
    (Princess' Charlotte of Wales's). (To be'
    dated 4th September, 1940.)

    Copy from LG
    21 January 1941Brigadier DENNIS WALTER FURLONG, Deceased.
    ALL persons having claims against the estate of
    Brigadier Dennis Walter Furlong of the Royal Berkshire
    Regiment formerly of Becketts Hartley Wintney
    Hants who died on the 5th September 1940 on War
    Service and whose Will was proved by Edward
    Addison Doughty Brigadier Miles Christopher
    Dempsey and Bernard Walter Machell the executors
    on the i4th January 1941 are required to send in
    particulars thereof in writing to the undersigned at
    the address stated on or before the 3ist March 1941
    after which date the executors will proceed to distribute
    the assets having regard only to the r.laims
    of which it shall then have had notice.—Dated i7th
    January 1941.
    WITHERS and CO., 4, Arundel Street, Strand.
    (043) W.C.2
    Thanks Verrieres.

    Still no connection with Chippenham. I can only think that his wife lived here briefly after his death, before marrying Sir John Greer Dill at Westminster.

    Nick
     
    nicks, Apr 30, 2009
    #10
  11. Tigger

    Tigger Junior Member

    Having read your comments on Brigadier Dennis Furlong, I am very interested as I am his only child. Can you give me any more information about my father, especially as I have so little to go on, as I was only 9 when my father was killed. At the moment I am getting into my mother's private papers this autumn. She herself was in the M.T.C.(motor transport corp) from early spring 1940 until they escaped from south west of France in June 1940.
     
    Tigger, Sep 3, 2009
    #11
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Tigger and welcome to the forum....Hopefully with your help and others this thread will grow to become rather interesting.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
    Drew5233, Sep 3, 2009
    #12
  13. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Hello Tigger and welcome to the forum.

    I'm afraid all the information I have to date can be seen on this thread. I am currently working my way through the names on my local war memorial and the names of those that have been recorded by the CWGC as having links with the town, like your father. If I should should find any new information I shall post it here.

    Regards,

    Nick
     
    nicks, Sep 3, 2009
    #13
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Having read your comments on Brigadier Dennis Furlong, I am very interested as I am his only child. Can you give me any more information about my father, especially as I have so little to go on, as I was only 9 when my father was killed. At the moment I am getting into my mother's private papers this autumn. She herself was in the M.T.C.(motor transport corp) from early spring 1940 until they escaped from south west of France in June 1940.

    Hello and welcome to the forum,
    A copy of your father's MC recommendation can be obtained online, here:
    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    Perhaps there are more details that those quoted earlier.

    I hope that you would care to share with us any of your findings.

    As has been stated earlier, your father seems to have been well-liked and respected and your mother certainly sounds as if she did her fair share too.

    Good luck with your research,
    Regards,
    Diane
     
    dbf, Sep 9, 2009
    #14
  15. Tigger

    Tigger Junior Member

    Thank you for your contacts. I am delighted to have them and I will keep in touch.

    Tigger
     
    Tigger, Sep 10, 2009
    #15
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Old thread, but I thought I'd add this anyway.

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    Name Furlong, D W
    Rank: Brigadier
    Regiment: Staffordshire Regiment
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: British Expeditionary Force 1939-40
    Award: Military Cross
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 22 October 1940
    Date 1940-1942
    Catalogue reference WO 373/16
     

    Attached Files:

    dbf, Sep 3, 2011
    #16
    nicks likes this.
  17. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    D,

    Thank you for adding the MC recommendation.
     
    nicks, Sep 3, 2011
    #17
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Ref Tiggers comments there was quite a few MTC's in France. On the off chance you come back do you know what Company she was with?

    I'm just having a quick look for Brig Furlong. I've heard of him before (since 2009) and can only think it was in one of my 1940 France books. I don't have the brigade diary yet but have both Staffs battalion diaries.

    Having just checked both battalions officer field returns in 2 North Staffs and 1/6 South Staffs diaries he's not listed so he must have deployed with 6 Infantry Brigade as a staff officer before becoming the Bde's CO.
     
    Drew5233, Sep 3, 2011
    #18
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Found him !

    He joined 1 Berks on 23rd December 1939 and took command the following day:
    [​IMG]

    and as Phil mentioned in post 2 he left on 20th May 1940:
    [​IMG]
     
    Drew5233, Sep 3, 2011
    #19
  20. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Thanks for those, Andy.
     
    nicks, Sep 4, 2011
    #20
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