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Acland, Peter Bevil Edward

Date of birth:
July 9th, 1902
Date of death:
1993
Service number:
25997
Nationality:
British

Biography

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Awarded on:
June 24th, 1932
Officer to the Venerable Order of Saint John (OStJ)
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1936
Kiladat El Nil - Officer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Bimbashi
Unit:
Gideon Force, Sudan Defence Force (SDF), British Army
Awarded on:
September 9th, 1941
"Bimb. ACLAND was acting adjutant of the FRO Bd. and actg. Staff Officer of GIDEON Force during the whole of the operations in GOJJAM. He was indefatigable and devoted in carrying out these duties. On the night 26/27 March he was allotted the dangerous and difficult task of ascailing the enemy in ADDIS Fort by night. This involved an approuch under fire over precipitous country in dense darkness. During Bimb. ACLAND's approach march, which was carried out with great skill, general fire was opened along the front by the enemy, owing to the operations of the forces in the neighbourhood, Bimb. ACLAND continued his advance and succeeded in penetrating the centre of the enemy's main position on this night. He personally led his men in a bombing attack on M.G. posts. In the course of this attack he himself was wounded by an enemy bomb which burst at his feet. He remained on the field of action and successfully withdrew his men when it was clear that nothing further was to be gained by staying. He remained in command until he returned to camp the following morning.

There was no doubt that his gallant conduct on the occasion saved his men from suffering severe casualtie, and that the example stimulated them to the successful attacks made on succeeding nights."
Military Cross (MC)
For services as chief administrator first of the Dodecanese, then of the Cyrenaica until 1946.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Colonel
Unit:
British Military Administration of the Dodecanese Islands, Land Forces Greece (LFG), British Army
Awarded on:
October 14th, 1949
"Col ACLAND was Deputy Civil Affairs Officers in the DODECANESE from 4 August, 1943 to 11 July, 1945. He was responsible for the carrying of food to the islands under conditions of danger of enemy attack and in all types of weather. He was also responsible for the energetic action that had to be taken to deal with thousands of refugees.
In particular, 1945, he quickly organised and got relief for hundreds of islanders who were in many cases starving. In addition Col ACLAND was entirely responsible for saving the lives from starvation of hundreds of refugees including islanders both under our own and enemy occupation. Again at *** on 23 March 1945 when the GERMANS landed suddenly he personally visited his relief detachment which had to hide with large quantities of relief food. He quickly arranged for the disposal of the food and safe conduct of his detachment. This is only an example of the courage and devotion to duty shown on all other occasions. On 8 May, 1945, at the time of the GERMAN surrender he was the senior officers to go to RHODES to enforce the detailed-orders for the GERMAN disarmament.

In all these duties he displayed the utmost energy, skill and tactfulness that could not been surpassed. His skill and energy were an inspiration to all."
Polemikos Stauros 1940 - 1st Class
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant-Colonel
Awarded on:
1949
Efficiency Medal / Territorial Decoration

Sources

Photo