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Whistler, Lashmer Gordon "Bolo"

Date of birth:
September 3rd, 1898
Date of death:
July 4th, 1963
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Brigadier
Unit:
Headquarters, 131st Lorried Infantry Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:
April 22nd, 1943

This award was obtained in the form of an BAR to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Headquarters, 131st Lorried Infantry Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:
January 13th, 1944

This award was obtained in the form of a second BAR to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
March 29th, 1945
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1947
Commandeur in de Kroonorde
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1947

With palm.
Croix de Guerre 1940
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant-general
Unit:
Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
April 8th, 1954
Huisorde van Oranje - Grootofficier (HO.2)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
April 14th, 1962
Huisorde van Oranje - Grootkruis (HO.1)

War Diary mentions

23 June 1944 WO 171/1387 - 2 Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Usual patrols and rather heavier shelling. Some casualties. Maj-Gen Whistler, who had taken over command of the Div on the previous day visited the Battalion.

25 June 1944 WO 171/1384 - 2 Royal Ulster Regiment
Major General L.G. Whistler, D.S.O., our new Divisional Commander visited the Battalion.

26 July 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
Bn was relieved by 2 Lincolns and moved back to ESCOVILLE for a short rest, baths and a change of laundry. The Div Comdr. Maj Gen L.G. Whistler D.S.O. paid the Bn a visit and congratulated the Bn on its achievements since he had taken over Comd. Cas 2 killed and 1 OR wounded.

1 September 1944 WO 171/617 - 9 Infantry Brigade
Div Comd Maj-Gen LG Whistler came to Bde HQ and, after conferring with Bde Comd, stayed to tea.

7 September 1944 WO 171/617 - 9 Infantry Brigade
Bn submitted their notes on river crossing for Bde Comd’s inspection. These notes were prepared with the crossing of the RHINE or any other major water obstacle in view and contained unit ideas on priorities of crossing in storm boats and details of loading on cl 9 rafts. During the day confirmation of date of GOC’s inspection arrived. The GOC Maj Gen LG Whistler DSO will inspect the bde on Wed 13 Sep, times allotted for bde HQ inspection being three-quarters of an hour and for bns one and half hours.

3 November 1944 WO 171/840 - 1 Royal Dragoons
The Regt leaves its present location at 1000 hrs to concentrate in the area of MlLL. The C.O. attended a conference in the morning at HQ 3 (Br) Inf Div (Maj-Gen L.G. Whistler, DSO). The Regt is to come under this Div and is to operate under comd of 2 Household Cav Regt (Lt-Col Henry Abel-Smith). The Royals are to patrol the West bank of the MEUSE between BOXMEER and GROENINGEN and report on enemy movement on the opposite bank. They are to relieve The Inns of Court Regt in this area. On he right flank The Royals are supported by 3 Recce Regt and on the left by 2 Household Cav Regt. Rain during the morning, but brighter in the afternoon.

11 November 1944 WO 171/969 - 7 Field Regiment
The GOC, Major General Whistler, visited all Btys and RHQ. He spoke to all troops who were very amused by his jovial manner. The GOC congratulated the Regiment on their appearance during the morning and on the efficiency. 17 Bty send out harassing fire troop for the night. It was recorded that V 2 could be seen during darkness being fired from almost due East. They appeared as vertical shafts of light. Very little firing is done during this period as ammunition allotment is very limited. Retaliation targets take the small number of rounds available.

10 December 1944 WO 171/1397 - 2 East Yorkshire Regiment
Church Parade in GEMERT Monastry, followed by march past. The salute was taken by Gen. Whistler Div Commander.

22-26 December 1944 WO 171/617 - 9 Infantry Brigade
9 Brit Inf Bde, in Div res around area HORST 830185, celebrated Xmas as far as the demands of service readiness would allow. On Xmas Day, the other ranks of Bde HQ had a monster dinner at which the Bde Comd made a short but effective speech. In his speech the Bde Comd wished every man the compliments of the season and expressed the hope that they might enjoy next years festivities in their own homes. On the evening of Xmas Day, the men put on their own concert, a show thoroughly enjoyed by those present. A feature of this period was the commendation which appeared in 8 Corps 'I' Summary, praising our work and excellent security measures which resulted in such a good haul of enemy agents on 19 Dec. A further feature of this period was the talk on "The General Situation" given by the GOC, Maj Gen LG Whistler DSO, in the cinema HORST at 0930 hrs 23 Dec. All available offrs and NCOs, of the rank of Sgt and above, attended.

Sources

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