Herbert, Edwin Otway

Date of birth:: November 18th, 1901
Date of death:: April 4th, 1984
Service number:: 18477
Nationality:: British

Biography

Career:
Commissioned, Royal Artillery 1921;
Egypt 1928-1935;
Bde Maj, Home Counties Anti-Aircraft Group Territorial Army 1935-1939;

World War II 1939-1945; Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, 27 Anti-Aircraft Group, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), France and Belgium
1939-1940; 132 Field Regt, 78 Div, 1 Army, North Africa 1942-1943; 21 Army Group 1943-1945; France 1944-1945; Commander Royal Artillery, 5 Div

1945-1947; General Officer Commanding British Troops, Berlin, Germany 1947-1949; Director Territorial Army and Cadets, War Office 1949-1952; General Officer Commanding 44 Infantry Div (Territorial Army) and Home Counties District 1952-1953; General Officer Commanding-in-Chief West Africa Command 1953-1955; Western Command 1957-1960; retired 1960; Col Commandant, Royal Artillery 1956-1966

Promotions
2 February, 1922: 2nd Lieutenant Royal Artillery
22 December, 1923: Lieutenant
22 December, 1934: Captain
22 December, 1938: Major
24 April, 1940: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
20 July, 1940: Reverted to Major
15 May, 1941: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
12 March, 1943: Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
23 March, 1943: Acting Colonel
22 November, 1943: War Substantive Lieutenant-Colonel
23 November, 1943: Temporary Colonel
23 November, 1943: Temporary Brigadier
13 September, 1945: Reverted to War Substantive Lieutenant-Colonel
8 December 1945: Temporary Brigadier
22 December, 1946: Colonel (Dated back to 23.11.1946)
27 May, 1947: Acting Major-General
1 November, 1947: Brigadier
1 November, 1947: Temporary Major-General
7 November, 1948: Major-General
13 December, 1953: Local Lieutenant-General
14 December, 1953: Temporary Lieutenant-General
16 April, 1954: Lieutenant-General

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: GHQ, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), British Army
Awarded on:: July 11th, 1940

"This officer represented the A.G. at the C.-in-C's Command post, and in the face of great difficulties performed excellent work in the control of A.G. Services during a period of considerable difficulty."

Brought to the notice of the C.-in-C.

Signed W.G. Lindsell
Lieut.-General.
Q.M.G./ B.E.F.

LG 34893/4261

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Awarded on:: January 29th, 1941

LG 35146/2423

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 132nd (Welsh) Field Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: February 11th, 1943

Citation:
"During the period 25 November to 16 December this officer commanded a group of Artillery of continually changing units and natures, in support of three different formations. His Group was on Minimum scales of mobility, and for the last fortnight was seriously depleted in officers, communications and weapons. His handling of his command was briljant and it was entirely due to his determination, ability and outstanding leadership that this Artillery afforded unfailing support to the Infantry. Troughout the most critical of many phases of the fighting Col. Herbert himself frequently directed the fire of his command, sent back vital first hand information of what he himself had seen, together with tactical appreciations and advice that were proved by the event to be correct. His equanimity, determination and self control were a source of the greates support ot the Infantry Commanders he was supporting and were with admiration of all with whom he came in contact."

WO 373/1/1
LG 35898/744

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Brigadier
Unit:: Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: September 28th, 1944

LG 36720/4473

Legion of Merit - Officer (LoM - O)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Brigadier
Unit:: Staff Duties, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: March 15th, 1945

"Brigadier HERBERT has had a very arduous and responsible task to perform as head of the Staff Duties Branch of an Army Group. He has performed his duties with outstanding ability and energy. His work has contributed greatly to our victories and he has rendered distinguished services to the Allied cause."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Brigadier
Unit:: Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: August 9th, 1945

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Brigadier
Unit:: Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: November 8th, 1945

Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Brigadier
Unit:: Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: January 24th, 1946

LG 37442/615

Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

Commandeur in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.3x)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Brigadier
Unit:: Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
Awarded on:: October 17th, 1946

"Brigadier HERBERT has in his capacity of BGS (SD) 21 Army Group Headquarters, been responsible for the equipment of all the forces who took part in the liberation of HOLLAND. It has been due to outstanding work and ability of Brig HERBERT that the formation and equipment of the Dutch army has been carried through so smoothly."

Royal Decree no. 23 dated 17 November 1945.