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Graham, Douglas Alexander Henry

    Date of birth:
    March 26th, 1893 (Brechin/Angus, Scotland)
    Date of death:
    September 28th, 1971 (Brechin/Angus, Scotland)
    Service number:
    8265
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Scotish Rifles, British Army
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1918
    Military Cross (MC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Scotish Rifles, British Army
    Awarded on:
    December 15th, 1919
    Croix de Guerre (1914-1918)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    June 11th, 1942
    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 153rd Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    January 14th, 1943
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 153rd Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    July 8th, 1943

    Awarded as bar on the ribbon of the first medal
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 56th (London) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    January 13th, 1944
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    August 24th, 1944
    Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    September 28th, 1944
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    1944
    Citation:
    "General GRAHAM commanded the 50h Northumbrian Division which assaulted on the NORMANDY beaches on D Day. Sthe skill with which he handled the Division in this most vital operation is worthy of the highest praise. Under his superb leadership the Division were able to win and maintain a very important bridgehead which had the greates influence on the ensuing campaign.

    Throughout the battle for France General GRAHAM showed the highest qualities of enterprise and skill. He contributed very greatley to the success of the battles which cleared NORTHERN FRANCE of the Germans by the 31st August 1944.""
    Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    March 22nd, 1945
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Major-General
    Unit:
    Headquarters, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    January 16th, 1947
    Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Major-General
    Unit:
    British Land Forces Norway, British Army
    Awarded on:
    May 23rd, 1947
    Sanct Olavs Orden Commander

    War Diary mentions

    23 September 1944 WO 171/1302 - 6 Green Howards
    Maj.Gen. Graham, The Div Comdr, visited the Bn and gave orders to remain where we were.

    9 October 1944 WO 171/1276 - 2 Cheshire Regiment
    Leaves to see Maj-Gen Graham G.O.C. 50 (N) Div re D.F. Tasks.

    15 October 1944 WO 171/1276 - 2 Cheshire Regiment
    C.O. to Div HQ to see G.O.C. Maj Gen Graham re D.F. Tasks and Harrassing Fire.

    22 October 1944 WO 171/1276 - 2 Cheshire Regiment
    Commanding Officer to Divisional HQ to attend a conference with Maj-Gen Lyne G.O.C. 50 (N) Div who has relieved Maj-Gen Graham for a period.

    21 November 1944 WO 171/1276 - 2 Cheshire Regiment
    C.O. to Div HQ to see Maj General Graham re relief of Div.

    5 December 1944 WO 171/1820 - 15 Bridging Platoon
    Maj. General D.A.H. Graham C.B. C.B.E. D.S.O. M.C. addresses all ranks giving reasons for change of roll of Div.

    5 December 1944 WO 171/1302 - 6 Green Howards
    6 Green Howards represented at HQ 69 Inf Bde when the Div Comdr (Maj Gen Graham) addressed units of the Bde. He said goodbye to those who were leaving and explained the reasons for the breaking-up of the Div.

    31 December 1944 WO 171/1302 - 6 Green Howards
    GOC (Maj Gen Graham) visited Bn HQ and was met by the CO.

    Sources

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