English, Ian Roger
- Date of birth:
- June 18th, 1919 (Heworth/County Durham, Great Britain)
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Service number 79387.
Ian Enlish first fought in France in 1940, where he was recommended for a Military Cross but this was downgraded to just a Mentioned in Despatches. From France he went to Cyprus and Iraq. In 1942 in the Western Desert he was wounded when he led his men with at the Gazala Line. He was recovered quick enough to return for duty at El Alamein. During an action in Tunesia he was taken prisoner and held in captivity in Italy. He managed to escape though and walked 500 miles southwards to join the advancing Allied armies.
He saw considerable action again in France in august 1944. In September 1944 at Gheel, while attempting to form a bridgehead over the Albert Canal, English was wounded once more. He would not see any action again during the war.
After the war he became and advisor for Fisons, the fertiliser manufacturers.
His account of escape and trek southwards, entitled Assisted Passage — Walking to Freedom, Italy 1943, was published in 1994
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Mentioned in Dispatches
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Second-Lieutenant
- Awarded on:
- April 4th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Captain
- Unit:
- The Durham Light Infantry (Newcastle-on-Tyne)
- Awarded on:
- January 28th, 1943
"This officer when commanding his company during a night attack led his men throughout with skill and dash accounting for a number of prisoners and ?uppering enemy M.G. posts. He succesfully navigated and controlled his men over a long advance in the dark arriving on his detailed objective when he organised them for defence going the most forward infantry during the day his position was under continual heavy M.G. and shell fire and in close proximeiy to enemy tanks.
When his Company was withdrawn after suffering a number of casualties he remained behind on his position until the had all been evacuated.
This officer showed great skill and leadership throughout this operation."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Captain
- Unit:
- The Durham Light Infantry (Gateshead-on-Tyne)
- Awarded on:
- February 18th, 1943
"This officer commanded the Carrier P1 for 26 months and he trained them to a very high standard both tactically and mechanically and by personal example imbued an alertness of mind and agressive spirit. During active operations he was always in the forefront on offensive and recce patrols. On 5 June he wa in command of a mobile coln of carriers doing a sweep across the enemy L of C with the task of destroying enemy material. By offensive action his patrol destroyed ?.E.T. and captures five lorries, atacked and captured one enemy tank taking the crew prisioner. On 6th June his small Carrier forced by rapid shock action succesfully attacked and captured 20 Officers and 210 O.R.'s Italian form dug in positions.
Throughout all these operations he has shown personal diregard for danger and set a fine exaple of leadership."
Second MC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first MC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major
- Unit:
- The Durham Light Infantry (Gateshead-on-Tyne)
- Awarded on:
- March 1st, 1945
"Major English was commanding an assault Company during the attack south of Plesses Gronoult on August 9th 1944. Whilst moving up to the start line, his Company was heavily shelled, but he moved about amongst his men completely exposed and showing an absolute disregard to the fire and got them to the start line. Throughout the whole advance he was in front leading his men and encouraging them on through enemy artillery and mortar fire which was exceptionally heavy, and his Company was continually suffering casualties. The Company on his left lost its officers and dropped well behind his Company, but nevertheless he pushed relentlessly forward mopping up any enemy on the way and taking over 50 prisoners. He was the first on the objective and soon cleared up the enemy. He reorganised now his much depleted Company on only 50 men whilst under very heavy fire and held the position till the other Companies got to him. Throughout the action Major English showed complete disregard for enemy fire and his own safety. His leadership, cheerfulness and devotion to duty did much to ensure the capture of the objective and his supreme confidence in himself showed itself to his men. he set an example of fortitude which was an inspiration to all ranks".
Third MC awarded as second bar for on the ribbon of the first MC.
Major English was originally recommended for an immediate Distinguished Service Order but this was downgraded to a Second Bar to his Military Cross.
- 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)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35879 published on the 26 January 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35908 published on the 16 February 1943
- Supplemen to The London Gazette Issue 36961 published on the 27 February 1945
- The DLI Museum
- The Times online - Obituaries
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