John Churcher
John Bryan Churcher | |
|---|---|
| File:Johnchurcher.jpg John Bryan Churcher. | |
| Born | 1905 |
| Died | 2 August 1997 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1925–1959 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry |
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment 159th Infantry Brigade 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division 5th Infantry Division 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar |
Major-General John Bryan Churcher, CB DSO (1905 – 2 August 1997) was a senior British Army officer who, during World War II, commanded the 159th Infantry Brigade during the campaign in Northwest Europe and later commanded the 3rd Infantry Division.
Military career
Churcher was commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1925.[1] He fought in World War II as Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment and then as commander of the 159th Infantry Brigade, serving in North-West Europe as part of 11th Armoured Division.[2] After the Second World War he became General Officer Commanding (GOC) 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.[2] He was appointed GOC 5th Infantry Division in 1947 and Chief of Staff at Southern Command in 1951–in this capacity he organised the response to the devastating Lynmouth Flood in 1952.[3] He went on to be GOC 3rd Infantry Division in 1954 and Director of Military Training at the War Office in 1957 before retiring in 1959.[2]
He is buried at St Mary's Churchyard at Wargrave in Berkshire.[4]
References
- ^ "No. 33016". The London Gazette. 30 January 1925. p. 686.
- ^ a b c Generals.dk
- ^ ITN Source
- ^ Find-a-grave