10231 Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Alger BAGNOLD, OBE, MiD, Royal Corps of Signals ; LRDG, Sun Compass

Early Days of the Long Range Desert Group By R. A. Bagnold

Extracted from: The Geographical Journal, Vol. 105, No. 1/2 (Jan-Feb 1945), pp. 30-46 [Maps removed]

 

James.

Have you read Libyan Sands by Ralph Bagnold?

A fascinating chap.

Regards

Frank

 

I have not, but I'd like to.

I only just realised that his famous autobiography has been reprinted:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sand-Wind-War-Memoirs-Explorer/dp/0816512116

 

Personal Number: 10231
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
Name: Ralph Alger BAGNOLD, OBE, MiD
Unit: Royal Corps of Signals


London Gazette : 9 February 1915
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29063/page/1329/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets from the Royal Military Academy to be Second Lieutenants. Dated 10th. February, 1915:—
CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS.
Ralph Alger Bagnold.

London Gazette : 22 May 1918
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30696/supplement/6047/data.pdf
CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS.
The undermentioned Lts. to be Capts.:—
24th Mar. 1918.
R. A. Bagnold. 31st Mar. 1918.

London Gazette : 5 April 1919
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31275/supplement/4518/data.pdf
The following are among the Decorations and Medals awarded by the Allied Powers at various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign: —
His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and Medals in question.
Decorations and Medals conferred by H is MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.
Croix de Guerre.
Captain Ralph Alger Bagnold, Royal Engineers.

London Gazette : 1 July 1927
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33290/page/4236/data.pdf
ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS.
The undermentioned Capts. to be Majs, 26th June 1927:—
R. A. Bagnold.

London Gazette : 8 July 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35209/supplement/3882/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period December, 1940, to February, 1941: —
To be Additional Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Ralph Alger Bagnold, M.A., A.M.I.E.E. (10231), Royal Corps of Signals.

London Gazette : 30 December 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7344/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February, 1941, to July, 1941:—
ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS.
Col. (temp.) R. A. Bagnold, O.B.E. (10231) (Res. of Off.).

London Gazette : 17 March 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36427/supplement/1266/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
War Subs. Lt.-Col. (temp. Brig.) R. A. Bagnold, O.B.E. (10231) (Res. of Offrs.), is granted the actg. rank of Maj.-Gen., 20th Oct. 1943 to igth Nov. 1943. (Substituted for the notifn. in Gazette (Supplement) dated 7th Mar. 1944.)

London Gazette : 19 September 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36704/supplement/4307/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.
REGIMENTAL LIST.
ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS.
Maj. (War Subs. Lt.-Col.) R. A. Bagnold, O.B.E., M.A., A.M.I.E.E. (10231), is granted the hon. rank of Brig., 7th June 1944.

 

London Gazette : 30 December 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7339/data.pdf

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7344/data.pdf

 

See also:

• Bagnold Sun Compass
  
• Ralph Bagnold - Wikipedia
• Desert innovator: Bagnold's sun-compass | National Army Museum.
  
• Long Range Desert Group Preservation Society - The LRDG
  
• Ralph Alger Bagnold Medal
  
• https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsbm.1991.0003
  
• https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1991.0003
  
• Obituary - https://www.geosociety.org/documents/gsa/memorials/v23/Bagnold-RA.pdf
• Collection: The Papers of Brigadier Ralph Alger Bagnold | ArchiveSearch
  
• https://infosys.ars.usda.gov/WindErosion/symposium/proceedings/underwoo.pdf

• 426874 Colonel Thomas Brian Ashton EVANS-LOMBE, OBE, MiD, 8 King's Royal Irish Hussars: Sun Compass
  
• 45472 Colonel Sir Edward William St Lo MALET, OBE, MiD, 8 King's Royal Irish Hussars: Sun Compass

 

Rediscovered this interview of Bagnold and hopefully will get time to listen soon.

Published on the private LRDG FB website a pointer to a New Zealand recording (19 mins) of Major Bagnold talking in 1941 and the summary starts with:

Link: U series - A talk by the LRDG Commander [Parts 1-6]