John Strawson (British Army officer): Difference between revisions
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After retiring from the British Army, Strawson wrote a number of books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army. He collaborated with [[John Hackett (British Army officer)|General Sir John Hackett]] and others in writing the two volumes of ''[[The Third World War: The Untold Story|The Third World War]]''. His later books include ''The Duke and the Emperor; Wellington and Napoleon'' (1994) and ''Churchill and Hitler: In Victory and Defeat'' (1997).<ref name=higham/> |
After retiring from the British Army, Strawson wrote a number of books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army. He collaborated with [[John Hackett (British Army officer)|General Sir John Hackett]] and others in writing the two volumes of ''[[The Third World War: The Untold Story|The Third World War]]''. His later books include ''The Duke and the Emperor; Wellington and Napoleon'' (1994) and ''Churchill and Hitler: In Victory and Defeat'' (1997).<ref name=higham/> |
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To the end of his life he continued to attend a variety of events in support of the British Army and, in particular, of the [[Regiment#Regimental_system|Old Comrades Association]] of the [[Queen's Royal Hussars]], where he is known to all as "General John". |
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==Family== |
==Family== |
Revision as of 19:30, 22 February 2014
John Strawson | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | General John |
Born | [1] Ealing | January 1, 1921
Died | Salisbury, England | February 21, 2014
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Years of service | 1939 - |
Rank | Major General |
Commands | 4th Queen's Own Hussars Queen's Royal Irish Hussars 39 Infantry Brigade Chief of Staff, UKLF |
Battles/wars | Battle of Greece Operation Crusader Operation Overlord |
Awards | CBE US Bronze Star |
Other work | Author |
Major General John Strawson is a former British Army officer. Known best for his service during the Second World War in the Middle East and Italy, and afterwards in Germany and Malaya. Following the amalgamation of the 4th and 8th Hussars as The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, he commanded the Regiment in Malaysia and Germany. For his leadership during the Borneo campaign he was awarded the O.B.E.
Later he commanded at brigade level and was Chief of Staff, United Kingdom Land Forces. For this latter service he was awarded a C.B.E. He had previously been awarded the US Bronze Star for his leadership during the Italian campaign of 1944-45. In civilian life he became a prolific author, especially on military matters.
Early life
John Strawson was born in Ealing in 1921.[2] His father was the headmaster of an East London secondary school whose health was ruined by four years of service on the Western Front during the Great War. He died prematurely in 1936, leaving Strawson, his brothers Galen and Peter and sister Margaret in impoverished circumstances. Unlike Peter, who successfully achieved a bursary to St John's College, Oxford, and went on to become a noted philosopher, John was, by necessity, obliged to join the Civil Service leaving that to join the army at the outbreak of hostilities in 1939.[3]
Army career
Strawson was commissioned into the 4th Queen's Own Hussars as a Cornet in 1942 and joined the regiment at Kokini Trimithia, near Nicosia, where it was temporarily out of the line for refit.[4] He joined the 4th Hussars at a time when most of its officers had been captured by the Germans during the ill fated Greek campaign.[5] The regiment had been overrun and forced to surrender with only a small number escaping. As a result, many of his brother officers were drafted in from other cavalry regiments.
On returning to Egypt, the regiment was stationed at Beni Yusef camp in Cairo in the region of Mena, beside the pyramids. Despite the exigencies of war, Strawson writes fondly of being able to enjoy such pursuits as "polo, golf, tennis, squash, swimming and poodle faking".[6]
Command
On promotion to lieutenant colonel, Strawson assumed commend of the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, into which his own regiment, the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, had been amalgamated. He took the QRIH through the Malayan Campaign, peace time in Germany and a further tour in Borneo, where he was appointed OBE in recognition of his leadership.[7]
Civilian life
After retiring from the British Army, Strawson wrote a number of books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army. He collaborated with General Sir John Hackett and others in writing the two volumes of The Third World War. His later books include The Duke and the Emperor; Wellington and Napoleon (1994) and Churchill and Hitler: In Victory and Defeat (1997).[7]
To the end of his life he continued to attend a variety of events in support of the British Army and, in particular, of the Old Comrades Association of the Queen's Royal Hussars, where he is known to all as "General John".
Family
Strawson married Baroness Wilfred von Schellersheim in Eisbergen during 1960[8] and they live in Chitterne Wiltshire.[9] They have two married daughters. His elder brother was the Oxford philosopher, Sir Peter Strawson and his nephew is British philosopher and literary critic Galen John Strawson.
References
- ^ Martell, Paul (1974). World military leaders. Bowker. p. 215. ISBN 0835207854.
- ^ http://www.solms-delta.co.za/about/solms-family/family-tree/complete-solms-family-tree/
- ^ Hussars, Horses and History, Strawson ISBN 184415582-X p 233
- ^ Strawson, Hussars, Horses and History (ISBN 184415582-X), p. 9
- ^ Strawson, p. 13
- ^ Strawson, p. 18
- ^ a b John Strawson at davidhigham.co.uk
- ^ [1]
- ^ Strawson, p. 235
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- British Army generals
- 4th Queen's Own Hussars officers
- Queen's Royal Irish Hussars officers
- Living people
- Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
- 1921 births
- British Army personnel of World War II
- British Army personnel of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- People from Ealing (London borough)
- British military writers