Thomas Wynford Rees
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| Thomas Wynford Rees | |
|---|---|
| 12 Jan 1899 - 15 October 1959 | |
| Nickname | Pete The Docker General Sahib Bahadur Napoleon |
| Place of birth | Cardiff |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1915 - 1948 |
| Rank | Major-General (UK) |
| Commands held | 3rd Battalion 6th Rajputana Rifles (1939) Indian 10th Infantry Brigade - (March 1941 - March 1942) Indian 10th Infantry Division (1942) Indian 19th Infantry Division (1942 - 1945) Indian 4th Infantry Division (1945 - 1947) |
| Battles/wars | East African Campaign Western Desert Campaign Burma Campaign |
| Awards | CB (5 Jul 1945) CIE (1 Jan 1931) DSO (1919) DSO (194?) MC (2 June 191?) |
| Other work | Hon. Colonel Welch Regiment TA unit(28 Aug 1951) Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire (15 Jan 1955) |
Thomas Wynford Rees CB, CIE, DSO & Bar, MC, DL (born 1899; died 1959) was an officer in the British Indian Army during World War I, the interwar years, World War II, and post-war.
During World War I he was awarded the DSO, MC and was mentioned in dispatches. The citation for his DSO, published in the London Gazette on 29 July 1919 read:
For conspicuous gallantry throughout the day on September 19th,1918, during the attack on the Turkish position about Tabsor, and especially after passing through the last objective into open country. Collecting various details of four different units up to a total of about 80 men, he organised them into parties, charged in face of strong opposition, and took two trenches, capturing about 50 prisoners and two field guns. Subsequently, when mounted on a captured pony, he saw a third field gun escaping, whereupon he galloped after it and, single-handed, captured the gun and team complete. He set a magnificent example to all units by his initiative and utter disregard of danger.
Between the World Wars he spent much of his time serving on the Northwest Frontier of India, being mentioned in dispatches three more times.
During World War II Rees was involved in the East African Campaign, the North African Campaign, and the Burma Campaign. He was awarded a second DSO and mentioned in dispatches twice.
From August to September 1947, Rees commanded the peacekeeping Punjab Boundary Force during the transfer of power to India and Pakistan.
Contents |
[edit] Army career
- Commissioned into 73rd Carnatic Infantry (1915)
- attached to 125th Napier's Rifles (later 5th (Napier's) battalion 6th Rajputana Rifles)
- World War I, MC, mentioned in dispatches
- Awarded DSO whilst in Egypt - (1919)
- Instructor, Royal Military College Sandhurst - (1920 - 1924)
- Private Secretary to Governor of Burma
- Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General - (1928 - 1930)
- Waziristan, North West Frontier, India - (1935 - 1937)
- General Staff Officer Grade 2, Waziristan District, North West Frontier, India - (1937 - 1938)
- Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles, India - (1937 - 1939)
- General Staff Officer 1, Indian 4th Infantry Division - (1940 - 1941)
- Commanding Officer, 10th Indian Brigade, Sudan - (1941 - 1942)
- General Officer Commanding, Indian 10th Infantry Division, Middle East - North Africa - (1942)
- General Officer Commanding, Indian 19th Infantry Division, Burma - (1942 - 1945)
- General Officer Commanding, Indian 4th Infantry Division - (1945 - 1947)
- General Officer Commanding, Punjab Boundary Force, India - (1947)
- Head Military Emergency Staff to Emergency Committee of Cabinet, India - (1947)
- Retired - (1948)
[edit] Personal
Rees was married in 1926 to Rosalie only daughter of Sir Charles Innes. They had one son and one daughter.
[edit] References
- Ammentorp, Steen. Generals of World War II. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
- Mackenzie, Compton (1951). Eastern Epic. Chatto & Windus, London, 623 pages.
- Orders of Battle.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
- Houterman, Hans; Koppes, Jeroen. World War II unit histories and officers. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
