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Hakewill-Smith, Edmund

    Date of birth:
    March 17th, 1896 (Kimberley, South Africa)
    Date of death:
    April 15th, 1986 (Kingston Upon Thames/Surrey England)
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    Born 1896; educated at Diocesan College, South Africa and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; served in World War One, 1914-1918; commissioned into the Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1915; service on Western Front, 1915-1919; British Military Mission, South Russia, 1920; Aide de Camp to Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland, Governor of Bengal, India, 1921-1922; Adjutant, 2 Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1927-1930; Staff College, Quetta, India, 1930-1932; Staff Capt, War Office, 1934-1936; employed on Air Staff Duties, RAF, 1936-1937; Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, War Office, 1938-1940; served in World War Two, 1939-1945; Commanding Officer, 5 Bn, The Devonshire Regt, 1940; Commanding Officer, 4/5 Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1940-1941; commanded 157 Infantry Bde, 1941-1942; Maj Gen, Director of Organisation, War Office, 1942-1943; commanded 155 Infantry Bde, 1943; General Officer Commanding, 52 Lowland Div, 1943-1946; awarded CBE, 1944; North West Europe campaign, 1944-1945; awarded CB, 1945; commanded Lowland District, Scotland, 1946; Col, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1946-1957; President of Military Court for War Crimes trial of German FM Albert von Kesselring, Venice, Italy, May 1947; retired 1949; Governor, Military Knights of Windsor, 1951-1978; Berkshire County Commandant, Army Cadet Force, 1952-1957; Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle, 1964-1972; created KCVO, 1967; died 1986.

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    February 1st, 1919
    "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the nine miles' advance east of Ypres on 28th, -29th and 30th September, 1918. On the 28th he successfully filled a gap in the front line at a critical moment. On the 29th, when he was the only platoon officer left in his company, he took command of two platoons, and showed admirable coolness and determination in dealing with machine-gun nests, which were holding up the company on his right."
    Military Cross (MC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    February 11th, 1943
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    June 8th, 1944
    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    July 5th, 1945
    Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    August 9th, 1945
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    April 4th, 1946
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    November 14th, 1947
    Grootofficier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.2x)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    March 19th, 1948
    Sanct Olavs Orden Commander with Star/Grand Officer
    Awarded on:
    June 10th, 1967
    Knight/Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K(D)CVO)

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