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Adair, Allan Henry Shafto

Date of birth:
November 3rd, 1897 (London, England)
Date of death:
August 4th, 1988
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
2nd Company, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:
December 2nd, 1918
"For conspicuous gallantry and resource: while in command of the support company. Owing to thick fog the leading company lost direction and failed to turn up. He led his company correctly into position and then made several personal reconnaissances under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, and cleared up the situation. He captured the objectives without the assistance of tanks or artillery, and broke up a hostile counterattack the following morning."
Military Cross (MC)
"For conspicuous gallantry and skill at Preue-au-Sart, on 4th November, 1918. In command of the left front company, which was held up by an organised line of machine guns, he so manoeuvred his platoons as to capture the line with a minimum of casualties. Although wounded in the leg, he continued in command until relieved the following day."

Second MC awarded as a Bar
Recommendation:
“Lieutenant Colonel Allan Henry Shafto ADAIR, Commanding 3rd Bn GRENADIER GUARDS 1 Guards Brigade, 1 Division, 1 Corps

For conspicuous courage and coolness. During the retreat from the R. DYLE to DUNKIRK in May and June 40, Lt. Col. ADAIR's Bn was engaged with the enemy on five separate occasions. Lt. Col. ADAIR handled his Bn with such skill and determination that on each occasion the enemy were thrown back with heavy loss.

Lt. Col. ADAIR set a personal example of coolness under fire that was an inspiration to his Battalion, which throughout the retreat maintained a magnificent standard of discipline.

Signed Brigadier M. BECKWITH-SMITH

[Handwritten] Recommended for D.S.O.
Major A. ADAIR, M.C., in command of 3rd Bn, GRENADIER GUARDS, for conspicuous gallantry and leadership.

This officer carried out a counter-attack with his Battalion to restore a critical situation on the LYS Canal on the evening of 27th May 1940.
Having restored the situation on his front, he maintained it for 24 hrs until ordered to withdraw.
His calm courage and powers of command were an inspiration to all ranks.
He displayed leadership of the highest order in this action.

Signed Brigadier, 143 Inf. Bde, 8.6.40”
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, Guards Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:
March 29th, 1945
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1945
Commandeur in de Leopoldsorde / Commandeur de l'Ordre de Léopold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, Guards Division, British Army
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1945

With palm
Croix de Guerre 1940

War Diary mentions

7 February 1944 WO 171/607 - 6 Guards Tank Brigade
Lieut General Sir Arthur Smith, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., Commanding the Brigade of Guards, Major General A.H.S. Adair, D.S.O., M.C., G.O.C. Gds Armd Div, Brigadier N.W. Gwatkin M.V.O., Comd 5 Gds Armd Bde, Col. W.D.C. Greenacre M.V.O., 2 i/c 5 Gds Armd Bde and other members of the Staff of HQ Brigade of Guards and of London District spent the night with the Bde.

4 September 1944 WO 171/376 - Guards Armoured Division
Special Order of the Day issued by Maj-Gen Allan Adair, DSO, MC.

27 October 1944 WO 171/837 - 2 Household Cavalry
Major Gen Allan Adair, Comd Gds Armd Div lunched with 2 HCR and visited D Sqn. Comd 8 Corps, Lt Gen Sir R. O'Connor went round OP positions with C.O.

29 October 1944 WO 171/837 - 2 Household Cavalry
2 HCR visited by Lieut Gen Sir H. Loyd, CB, Comd London District. He was accompanied by Gen Adair.

Sources

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