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Festing, Francis Wogan

Date of birth:
August 28th, 1902 (Dublin, Ireland)
Date of death:
August 3rd, 1976 (Hexham, United Kingdom)
Service number:
P/611
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Brigadier
Unit:
Headquarters, 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group, Force 121, British Army
Awarded on:
June 16th, 1942
Awarded for:
Operation Ironclad
"In commandof the assault Brigade, he planned all details, and carried his task through with great ability and dash.

Showing almost complete indifference to shelling and sniping, he was communally in the more forward areas, carrying out personal recces regardless of danger and cheering up and on the troops. Accompanied by the C.P.O., he entered the town of ** [Tananarive?] long before resistance had ended, and accepted the personal surrender of the French Army Commanders.

His leadership was always an inspiration and forceful as on occasion when he applied his walking stick to the backsides of the few recalcitrants who appeared to have an unnecessary interest in the rear areas."
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, British Indian Army
Awarded on:
April 5th, 1945
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, British Indian Army
Awarded on:
July 5th, 1945
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, British Indian Army
Awarded on:
November 8th, 1945
Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Unit:
Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, British Indian Army
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1946
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma."
---
"He commanded 36 Division from November 1942 to September 1945.

His Division took an active part in the BURMA Campaign where his skill and drive were largely instrumental in the successes which they won.

In September 1945, he assumed command of the Land Forces at HONGKONG and I attach hereto a citation by Vice Admiral Harcourt in respect of the outstanding services he has rendered in this capacity."
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant-General
Awarded on:
June 5th, 1952
Knights/Dames Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (K/DBE)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
Lieutenant-general
Awarded on:
January 2nd, 1956
Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1957
Grand Cross of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (GCB)

Sources

Photo