140546 John Richard EASONSMITH, DSO, MC, LRDG

Casualty
Lieutenant Colonel
EASONSMITH, JOHN RICHARD
Service Number 140546
Died 16/11/1943
Aged 34
Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C. Cdg. Long Range Desert Group
D S O, M C
Son of George and Daisy Aldridge Easonsmith; husband of Honour Gertrude Easonsmith, of Rudgeway, Gloucestershire.
INSCRIPTION: SOME CORNER OF A FOREIGN FIELD THAT IS FOR EVER ENGLAND
Buried at LEROS WAR CEMETERY
Location: Greece
Number of casualties: 127
Cemetery/memorial reference: 3. B. 3.
See cemetery plan


From The Times, Jan 15, 1944:

FALLEN OFFICERS
OBITUARY
THE ARMY

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN RICHARD EASONSMITH, D.S.O., M.C., Royal Tank Regiment, who has been killed in action at the age of 34, was educated at Mill Hill School, and joined the staff of Messr. W.D. and H.O. Wills Limited, of Bristol, and later the Emu Australian Wine Company Limited.

On the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 66th Searchlight Regiment, but his powers of leadership were quickly recognized, for by August, 1940, he had been a sergeant in his original unit, recommended for a commission, transferred to the Royal Tank Regiment, and completed his training as an officer.

In December, 1940, he was posted to the Middle East, being selected on arrival for the Long Range Desert Group. By August, 1941, he had been promoted Captain, and in January, 1942, it was announced that he had been awarded the Miliary Cross. In October of the same year he was promoted Major, and the award of the Distinguished Service Order followed. In October, 1943, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on assuming the command of the Long Range Desert Group, but late in November last came the news that he had been killed in action.

Lieutenant-Colonel Eastsmith, who was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Easonsmith, of Bristol, leaves a wife and a daughter, aged two.

 

Personal Number: 140546
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
Name: John Richard EASONSMITH, DSO, MC
Unit: Royal Tank Regiment commanding Long Range Desert Group


London Gazette : 2 August 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34911/supplement/4731/data.pdf
The undermentioned Cadets from 102nd Officer Cadet Training Unit, to be 2nd Lts. except as otherwise stated. 27th July 1940: —
R.T.R.
John Richard EASONSMITH (1405146)

London Gazette : 30 December 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35396/page/7334/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards 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.
The Military Cross.
Second-Lieutenant John Richard Easonsmith (140546), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

London Gazette : 26 November 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35799/supplement/5141/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field: —
The Distinguished Service Order.
Captain (temporary Major) John Richard Easonsmith, M. C. (140546) , Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

 

Recommendation for Award for Easonsmith, John Richard Rank: Second Lieutenant ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/18/405
Name Easonsmith, John Richard
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Tank Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Military Cross
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 30 December 1941

 

Recommendation for Award for Easonsmith, John Richard Rank: Captain Service... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/46/29
Name Easonsmith, John Richard
Rank: Captain
Service No: 140546
Regiment: Royal Tank Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East Special Operations and Escapes
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 26 November 1942