Urquhart, Robert Elliott "Roy"
- Date of birth:
- November 28th, 1901 (Shepperton/Middlesex, United Kingdom)
- Date of death:
- December 13th, 1988 (Menteith/Perthshire, Scotland)
- Service number:
- 17550
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Brigadier
- Unit:
- Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- September 23rd, 1943
- Awarded for:
- Operation Husky
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- October 14th, 1943
Second DSO received as bar.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major General
- Unit:
- Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- October 9th, 1944
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
Bronzen Leeuw (BL)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major-General
- Unit:
- Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- July 31st, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
Citation:
"General Urquhart landed on 17th September 1944 in command of 1st British Airborne Division with the task of capturing the bridge over the Neder Rijn at Arnhem, in Holland. During the ensuing eight days battle for the capture of the Arnhem road bridge this officer displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and courage. During the phase of the battle when 1st Parachute Brigade became separated from the rest of the Division this officer personally organised an operation for the relief of 1st Parachute Brigade and himself became involved in street fighting during this period. Later, when the remnants of the Division were withdrawn into a close perimeter, his conduct of the defence, and his unequalled cheerfulness and determination were largely instrumental in ensuring the magnificent defence put up by the troops of his Division. During the withdrawal his cool planning, foresight and initiative were entirely responsible for 2,000 men of the Division rejoining their comrades of the Second Army on the southern bank of the Neder Rijn. The conduct of this officer throughout this most trying period was beyond praise."
Royal Decree no. 29 dated July 31st, 1945.
"General Urquhart landed on 17th September 1944 in command of 1st British Airborne Division with the task of capturing the bridge over the Neder Rijn at Arnhem, in Holland. During the ensuing eight days battle for the capture of the Arnhem road bridge this officer displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and courage. During the phase of the battle when 1st Parachute Brigade became separated from the rest of the Division this officer personally organised an operation for the relief of 1st Parachute Brigade and himself became involved in street fighting during this period. Later, when the remnants of the Division were withdrawn into a close perimeter, his conduct of the defence, and his unequalled cheerfulness and determination were largely instrumental in ensuring the magnificent defence put up by the troops of his Division. During the withdrawal his cool planning, foresight and initiative were entirely responsible for 2,000 men of the Division rejoining their comrades of the Second Army on the southern bank of the Neder Rijn. The conduct of this officer throughout this most trying period was beyond praise."
Royal Decree no. 29 dated July 31st, 1945.
Sanct Olavs Orden Commander
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major-General
- Unit:
- Headquarters, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- March 19th, 1948
In recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38240/page/1919/data.pdf
- London Gazette dated 14 October 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37909 published on the 18 March 1947
The Pegasus Archive
- 1st British Airborne Division officers; U
- Eva Fiolet (vertaling) - Medals
- Recommendation for Award for Urquhart, Robert Elliott Rank: Major Service... | The National Archives
- Recommendation for Award for Urquhart, Robert Elliott Rank: Major General ... | The National Archives
- Recommendation for Award for Urquhart, Robert Elliott Rank: Major Service... | The National Archives
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