| Sir Kenneth Thomas Darling | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 September 1909 |
| Died | 31 October 1998 (aged 89) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1929–1969 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | II Corps 1st (British) Corps Southern Command Allied Forces Northern Europe |
| Battles/wars | World War II Cyprus Emergency |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order |
General Sir Kenneth Thomas Darling GBE KCB DSO (17 September 1909 – 31 October 1998) was a senior British Army officer who was Commander in Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe from 1967 to 1969.
Darling was born in India,[1] the eldest son of George Kenneth Darling (1879–1964) of the Indian Civil Service and his wife Mabel Eleanor, née Burgess (d. 1952). His younger brother Maj.-Gen. Douglas Lyall Darling (1914–1978) was also a distinguished soldier.
Educated at Eton College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Darling was commissioned into the 7th Royal Fusiliers in 1929.[1] He served in North West Europe during 1944 and 1945 and was awarded the DSO in 1945. He became Commander of the 5th Parachute Brigade in 1946, of the Airborne Forces Depot in 1948 and of 16th Independent Parachute Brigade in 1950.[1] He was Chief of Staff of I (British) Corps from 1955, General Officer Commanding II Corps from 1956 and then Deputy Director, Staff Duties at the War Office from 1957.[1] He went on to be General Officer Commanding Cyprus District in 1958,[2] Director of Infantry in 1960 and General Officer Commanding I (British) Corps in 1962.[1] His last appointments were as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Southern Command in 1964 and Commander in Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe from 1967 until his retirement in 1969.[1]
He was appointed GBE in 1969, KCB in 1963, CBE in 1957 and CB in 1957.
He was ADC General to the Queen between 1968 and 1969. He was also Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment from 1965 to 1967. He lived in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Charles Jones |
GOC 1st (British) Corps 1962–1963 |
Succeeded by Sir Richard Goodwin |
| Preceded by Sir Robert Bray |
GOC-in-C Southern Command 1964–1966 |
Succeeded by Sir Geoffrey Baker |
| Preceded by Sir Robert Bray |
Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe 1967—1969 |
Succeeded by Sir Walter Walker |