5821 Lieutenant-General Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, MiD**, Middlesex Regiment

Personal Number: 5821
Rank: Lieutenant-General
Name: Sir Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, MiD**
Unit: Middlesex Regiment

London Gazette : 7 August 1914
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28864/page/6206/data.pdf
The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the Royal Military Academy and Royal Military College, to be Second Lieutenants: —
The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment),
Brian Gwynne Horrocks.

London Gazette : 22 May 1915
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29170/supplement/4997/data.pdf
The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
The undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:—
B. G. Horrocks. Dated 18th December, 1914.

London Gazette : 30 January 1920
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31759/supplement/1229/data.pdf
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to.approve of the undermentioned re- wards in recognition of gallant conduct and determination displayed in escaping or attempting to escape from captivity, which services nave been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919. To be dated 5th May,1919, unless otherwise stated: —
AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS.
Capt. Brian Gwynne Horrocks Midd'x R.

London Gazette : 22 February 1927
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33250/page/1189/data.pdf
9th Bn. Midd'x. R.—
Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x. R., to be Adjt. 26th Jan. 1927.

London Gazette : 25 February 1927
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33251/page/1255/data.pdf
Midd'x R.—
Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., is secd, for serv. as an Adjt., T.A. 26th Jan. 1927.

London Gazette : 16 January 1931
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33681/page/379/data.pdf
9th Bn. Midd'x R.—
Capt.. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., vacates the appt. of Adjt. 21st Dec. 1930.

London Gazette : 20 January 1931
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33682/page/459/data.pdf
The undermentioned remain secd, whilst students at the Staff Coll. 21st Jan. 1931:—
Midd'x R.—Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C.

London Gazette : 23 December 1932
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33895/page/8224/data.pdf
Midd'x R.—
Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., is restd. to the estabt. 22nd Dec. 1932.

London Gazette : 30 January 1934
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34019/page/678/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned appts. are made:—
Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x R., to be Staff Capt., War Office. 30th Jan. 1934.

London Gazette : 1 January 1935
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34120/page/62/data.pdf
HALF YEARLY BREVETS.
The undermentioned promotions are made. 1st Jan. 1935:—
To be Bt. Majs.
Capt. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x. R.

London Gazette : 10 March 1936
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34263/page/1560/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
Capt. &Bt. Maj.B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x R., from Staff Capt., War Office, to be Bde. Maj., 5th Inf. Bde. 24th Feb. 1936.

London Gazette : 24 November 1936
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34343/page/7572/data.pdf
Midd'x R.—
Capt. & Bt. Maj. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., to be Maj. 25th Nov. 1936.

London Gazette : 2 July 1937
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34414/page/4250/data.pdf
HALF-YEARLY BREVETS.
The undermentioned promotions are made,
1st July 1937:—
To be Bt. Lt.-Cols.
Maj. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x R.

London Gazette : 4 February 1938
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34479/page/735/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned relinquish their appts.:-
Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x R., as Bde. Maj., 5th Inf. Bde. 30th Jan. 1938.

London Gazette : 5 August 1938
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34539/page/5052/data.pdf
ESTABLISHMENT.
Staff Coll.—Maj. & Bt. Lt.-Col. B. G. Horrocks, M.C., Midd'x R., to be G.S.O. 2nd Grade. 25th July 1938.

London Gazette : 5 August 1938
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34538/supplement/5017/data.pdf
The undermentioned Majs. are secd, 1st Aug. 1938:—
Midd'x R.
Bt. Lt.-Col. B. G. Horrocks, M.C.

London Gazette : 1 July 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35205/supplement/3755/data.pdf
COMMANDS AND STAFF.
The undermentioned Cols. (temp. Brigs.) to'be Comdrs. and are granted the actg. rank of Maj.-Gen.: —
B. G. Horrocks, M.C. (5821). 27th June 1941.

London Gazette : 4 July 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35207/supplement/3808/data.pdf
The undermentioned Lt.-Cols. & Bt. Lt.- Col. to be Cols.:—
(Actg. Maj.-Gen.) B. G. Horrocks, M.C. (5821), from Midd'x R., 28th May 1941, with seniority 1st July 1940.

London Gazette : 30 June 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35612/supplement/2861/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Col. (actg. Maj.-Gen.) B. G. Horrocks, M.C. (5821), to be temp. Maj-Gen. 27th June 1942.

London Gazette : 31 December 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35840/supplement/5665/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East —
The Distinguished Service Order.
Lieutenant-General (acting) Brian Gwynne Horrocks, M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) (Camberley, Surrey).

London Gazette : 24 June 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36065/supplement/2853/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period ist May, 1942, to 22nd October, 1942: —
Lt.-Gen. (actg.) B. G. Horrocks, D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late Midd'x. R.

London Gazette : 5 August 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36120/supplement/3521/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Tunisia:—
To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order:—
Lieutenant-General (acting) Brian Gwynne Horrocks, D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment .(Duke of Cambridge's Own).

London Gazette : 31 August 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36153/supplement/3877/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Col. (temp. Maj.-Gen. ) (actg. Lt.XJen.) B. G. Horrocks, D.S.O., M.C. (5821), is granted the temp. rank of Lt.-Gen. and War Subs. Maj.-Gen. 13th Aug. 1943.

London Gazette : 20 June 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36569/supplement/2913/data.pdf
The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations, which have been conferred on the undermentioned officers and other ranks in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies:—
DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY His MAJESTY THE KING OF THE HELLENES
Order of King George the 1st, Commander.
Colonel (War Subs. Maj.-Gen ) B. G. Horrocks, C.B., D S.O , M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

London Gazette : 31 October 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36769/supplement/4963/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
War Subs. Maj.^Gen. B. G. Horrocks, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821) is re-granted the temp, rank of Lt.-Gen., 3rd Aug. 1944.

London Gazette : 20 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:—
Commands and Staff.
Lt.-Gen. (temp.) B. G. Horrocks, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late Midd'x R.

London Gazette : 5 July 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37161/supplement/3489/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 gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe: —
To be Additional Knights Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —
Lieutenant-General (temporary) Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

London Gazette : 9 August 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37213/supplement/4044/data.pdf
The KING has been .graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe:—
Commands and Staff.
Lt.-Gen. (temp.) B. G. HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late -Middx. R.

London Gazette : 9 February 1946
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34787/supplement/770/data.pdf
Midd'x R.
Maj. and Bt. Lt.-Col. (actg. Lt.-Col.) B. G. Horrocks, M.C., to be Lt.-Col. 7th Dec. 1939.

London Gazette : 22 March 1946
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37507/supplement/1475/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Maj.-Gen. (temp. Lt.-Gen.) Sir Brian G.. HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5281), to be (Lt.-Gen., 12th Feb. 1946, with seniority, 29th Dec. 1944

London Gazette : 17 October 1946
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37761/supplement/5143/data.pdf
DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS.
Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau: with Swords.
Lieutenant General Sir Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

London Gazette : 16 January 1947
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37853/supplement/324/data.pdf
The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the undermentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies:—
DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY H is ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF BELGIUM.
Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown with Palm.
Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm.
Lieutenant General Sir Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

London Gazette : 14 January 1949
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38512/supplement/245/data.pdf
REGULAR ARMY.
Lt.-Gen. Sir Brian G. HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), late Inf., retires on ret. pay on account of disability, 13th Jan. 1949.

London Gazette : 18 January 1949
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38516/page/313/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Order of the Garter, bearing date the 18th day of January, 1949, to grant unto Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Horrocks, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., the Office of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, vacant by the resignation of Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, K.C.B., D.S.O.

London Gazette : 9 June 1949
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38628/supplement/2794/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of His Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following pro- motions in, and appointments to, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath:—
To be Ordinary Members of the Military Division of the Second Class, or Knights Commanders, of the said Most Honourable Order :—
Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (5812), late Infantry (retired).

London Gazette : 18 November 1949
TERRITORIAL ARMY.
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Lt.MGen. Sir 'Brian Gwynne HORROCKS, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (5821), is appointed Honorary Colonel, 6th May 1949, vice Col. The Visc. PORTAL of LAVERSTOKE, P.C., G.C.M.G., D.S.O., M.V.O. (388127) dec'd.

London Gazette : 5 August 1952
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39616/supplement/4199/data.pdf
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to make the following appointments to Her Majesty's Household:—
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod: Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.

London Gazette : 18 June 1954
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40207/supplement/3601/data.pdf
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
Maj Sir Rudolph Dymoke WHITE, Bt., J.P., D.L.(435931), to be Hon. Col. of a T.A. unit, 6th May 1954, vice Lt.-Gen. Sir Brian Gwynne HORROCKS (3821) tenure expired.

London Gazette : 18 June 1963
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43030/page/5181/data.pdf
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Order of the Garter, bearing date the 18th day of June 1963, to grant unto Air Chief Marshal Sir George Holroyd Mills, G.C.B., D.F.C., the Office of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, vacant by the resignation of Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.

 

Sir Brian Horrocks, 7 September 1895 – 4 January 1985

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Sir Brian Horrocks: Great flair and no pomposity
By Alan Hamilton

Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Horrocks, who gained a greater fame for retelling the battles of the Second World War than for participating in them, has died in a West Sussex nursing home at the age of 89.

General Horrocks, who was seriously wounded at the liberation of Tunis and who carried a quantity of German shrapnel in him for the rest of his life, died last Friday after a year of serious illness. His death was announced yesterday by his lifelong friend and onetime subordinate, Sir Denis Hamilton, chairman of Reuters and former chairman of Times Newspapers.

Sir Denis said of him: “He was unassuming, unpompous, but with great flair. He was a brilliant field commander and adored by the soldiers, who felt he was on their side and not on the side of the officers.”

Field-Marshal Sir Edwin Bramall, chief of the Defence Staff, said yesterday: “He had great style and dash and always commanded from the front. His personality captured the hearts of all whom he led.”

Sir Huw Wheldon, who introduced him to television, said yesterday: “He won programmes in the same way that he won battles; he was absolutely direct, straightforward, and learnt every single word of his script.

“When I first met him I though he was too handsome, too English, too much of a stereotype. But I rapidly discovered he had something extra: flair and originality.”

General Horrocks, according to Sir Huw, would try out his Men of Action and later programmes on audiences of women before they went on the air. “If the women, whom he assumed knew nothing of war, could understand them, he was satisfied.”

When he entered the House of Lords as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, General Horrocks endeared himself to his closest associates by referring to his ceremonial uniform as his “rompers” and by secretly wearing a suspender belt underneath to keep his black silk stockings up.

Only a few also knew that the red dispatch box often delivered to him in the Chamber, into which he peered with studied intensity during the more tedious debates, contained all the coupons for that week’s football pools.


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LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR BRIAN HORROCKS
Dashing wartime commander

Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Horrocks, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, who died on January 4 at the age of 89, was one of the most successful and well liked commanders of the Second World War. Forced into early retirement from the army by the wounds he had received in battle he was then able to use his personality to convey on television to a younger generation and to those who had taken part in them, the stress and strain of wartime military operations.

“Jorrocks” to all the fighting men with whom he came in contact, was an outstanding soldier. He came into his own, and showed his real genius, as Commander of a corps, the highest tactical command in battle, during the Second World War.

Son of Colonel Sir William Heaton Horrocks, KCMG, CB, Brian Gwynne Horrocks was born on September 7, 1895, educated at Uppingham and the RMC, Sandhurst, and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment in 1914. Fighting with his regiment in the opening battles of the First World War he as unlucky enough to be taken prisoner in October, 1914, and to spend the rest of the war in captivity. Soon after his release in 1918 he saw active service again, fighting in Russia against the Bolsheviks in 1919, and in November of that year, was wounded and won the MC.

Between the wars his career followed a normal pattern - regimental duty, a course at the Staff College, Staff appointments - but he showed his quality in another field by representing Britain in the Paris Olympiad of 1924 in the Pentathlon. However, his ability, dynamic personality, tactical flair and love of soldiering were marking him as a man to watch. The years in captivity had failed to hold him back or dull his edge. It was as a member of the Directing Staff of the Staff College, to which he was appointed in 1938, that he first won real prominence and began to exercise a marked influence on students and fellow directors.

Tactics was his real love and it was a disappointment to him to be put in charge of staff duties, but no one would have guessed it. All who were fortunate enough to sit under him will never forget him facing his audience in the Rawlinson Hall, with his characteristic cross-legged stance, selling his subject in his lucid, forceful and witty style.

The outbreak of war saw him champing at the bit, but it was not until April, 1940 that he was called to France to command his own regiment in General Montgomery’s 3rd Division. He fought it back from the river Dyle with distinction and finally in June, and just before the evacuation, he was promoted and given command of 44th (Home Counties) Division. This and the command of 9th Armoured Division which followed, occupied him in England until August, 1942, when his real call came. General Montgomery, assuming command of the 8th Army in the Western Desert, asked for him to command the 13th Corps.

The level of corps command, that dividing line between tactical control and strategic allocation, gave full scope to his gifts. His flair for tactics, understanding of the fighting man and what he faced, his capacity to “feel the battle”, his gift for personal command, were not wasted in too rare an atmosphere; the corps and the compass of its operations were big enough to absorb his mental and physical activity. He took to commanding a corps like a duck to water, and came to it at a time which suited his character and personality.

Except for Alam Halfa, the great defensive battle in front of Alexandria which sealed Rommel’s fate, the Allies were now to be on the offensive and Horrocks was essentially an attacking, a pursuing general. His 13th Corps was heavily engaged at Alam Halfa, and at Alamein shortly afterwards. It was then pinched out, much to Horrocks’ disgust, but he was not to remain inactive for long.

In March, 1943, he was called forward to command 10 Corps which he led in the Battle of the Mareth Line, being charged with the difficult outflanking movement round the German southern flank, a task after his own heart.

The North African Campaign was now drawing to an end but one more major task in it was to fall to his lot. At the end of April, 1943, when Lieutenant-General Crocker was wounded, Horrocks was chosen to succeed him in command of 9 Corps and be the man to strike the last blow against Tunis from the West. The breakthrough on a narrow front, followed by quick deep penetration and complete disruption of the enemy’s defensive structure was typical of him. He was beginning to prove that he had no equal in the art of exploiting success.

Misfortune now struck. While preparing for the invasion of Sicily he was desperately wounded by a cannon shell fired by a raiding aircraft. He stood at death’s door, and long months in hospital, with a succession of major operations, were to follow before he could rejoin the battle. His health never fully recovered: thence fore his spirit sustained him.

In August, 1944, still far from fit but burning to be up and doing, he was called to command 30 Corps, then battling on the northern slopes of Mount Pincon in the effort to free the left hinge of the allied breakout from the Normandy bridgehead. Thus began a noble association - Jorrocks and the “Old Pig” - which was to continue with ever brighter reputation until the final defeat of Germany. Horrocks and 30 Corps should never be spoken of separately. The major operations which followed added lustre to them both - the crossing of the Seine at Vernon, the fighting advance to Brussels, the seizure of the crossings of the Albert Canal, the deep thrust north to Nijmegen in operation “Market Garden”, the winter battles round Geilenkirchen in conjunction with the American 9th Army, the defeat of the German Ardennes offensive, the Reichswald battle and the advance to Wesel, the crossing of the Rhine at Rees, the advance into Germany on the hard-fought northern flank, the capture of Bremen, and the final reduction of the German “Corps Ems” in the Cuxhaven peninsula.

The war in Europe finished, he threw himself with burning energy into the problem of the occupation of Germany but it was not to be for long, as in February, 1946, he was appointed GOC-in-C Western Command in England. There he ranged the length and breadth of his parish, never sparing himself, and tackled with enthusiasm the problem of recreating the Territorial Army - of particular interest and importance in a Command which had always owned a major part. Early in 1948, to his great satisfaction, he was chosen to be Commander-in-Chief, BAOR, and in a very short time he had communicated his enthusiasm and sense of purpose to all under his command there.

However, his body could not stand what his spirit demanded of it, and after a very short time he was forced to give up the unequal struggle. In January, 1949 he retired because of ill-health. A period of rest and he was active again; nothing could fetter his spirit or damp his enthusiasm. In the same year he was chose to be Gentleman Usher of the The Black Rod in the House of Lords, an appointment which he graced until 1963 with his gaunt good looks and which happily kept him in touch with current thought and gossip in Whitehall. But his official duties were insufficient to meet the needs of his restless questing mind and he was soon turning his hand to other things.

As his health improved he could and did look round. His pen, always sharp and facile, turned naturally to journalism and he became a notable commentator on military matters in weekly newspapers and magazines.

Theatrically gifted, and with a highly developed sense of the dramatic, he became particularly successful on television for his recreations of the major battles of World War II. His performances appealed to the mass as he reduced narratives and situations to their simplest form, highlighting excitement and interest, disregarding the humdrum. He therefore drew large audiences. He may not have appealed quite so much to the more serious minded who were inclined to rate his presentations as a little superficial but he made the drama of these events live again.

In 1960 he published an autobiography entitled A Full Life, a second, revised and extended edition of which appeared in 1974. This gave great pleasure to many as it was a vivid account, castigating no one, of an exciting, varied life. It disappointed some of his more informed readers as it was less penetrating and critical than they had hoped for from a great soldier who had held key commands - and been close to many of the controversial personalities - in the Second World War. Perhaps he had been sickened by the spate of memoir squabbling which had gone before. He was also the editor of the Famous Regiments series of illustrated regimental histories.

Television, radio and newspapers made Horrocks known to a wider public after the war than had recognised him during the war - though indeed towards the end of hostilities there was not a British soldier in North Africa or North-West Europe who would not react immediately to his name.

However, it will be as a soldier that Horrocks will be remembered in the long run; and as a soldier he will be remembered as a Corps Commander, leading and directing his Corps in battle with real genius. Daring and unorthodox in method, he transmitted his enthusiasm restless energy to all whit whom he had contact - and he was known personally to every man under his command. They loved and respected him, they admired his great personal bravery. They cheerfully undertook the impossible at his command, confident that he would lead them to success. As one commentator most aptly put it, he led his Corps in battle more like an Old Testament prophet than a conventional British general.

He married in 1928 Nancy, daughter of Brook and the Hon Mrs Brook Kitchin. Their only child, Gillian, was tragically drowned while swimming in the Thames in 1970. Lady Horrocks survives him.

 

From Lakeland Ledger, January 9, 1985

Gen. Sir Brian Horrocks

The Associated Press

FISHBOURNE, England -
Gen. Sir Brian Horrocks, hero of El Alamein and the “soldiers’ general” who ignored shrapnel wounds to lead the Allied dash through Belgium from an ambulance, has died at age 89.

Horrocks died Sunday night at a nursing home in this village near England’s south coast, a family spokesman said Tuesday. No cause was given.

One of the best loved of Britain’s wartime commanders, Horrocks went on to become a prominent television personality and for more than a decade held the important ceremonial title of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, in the House of Lords.

“He was one of the last links with the High Command in World War II and was a brilliant corps commander,” said Field Marshal Sir Edwin Bramall, chief of Britain’s defence staff.

“He had great style and dash and always commanded from the front. His personality captured the hearts of all whom he led.”

A tall, imposing figure with an air of command and an aversion to pomp, Horrocks served in France, Belgium and Russia during World War I, was wounded and received the Military Cross for bravery.

On the outbreak of World War II, he was made a commander of a battalion, then a brigade, before the British evacuation of Dunkirk.

Then, in 1942, with no previous desert experience, he was summoned by Gen. Bernard Montgomery, commander of the British 8th Army in Egypt, to take charge of 13th Corps, which then held the southern end of the El Alamein line against Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps.

Within a few days of Horrocks’ arrival, the Germans began their final assault on Egypt. It was repulsed, largely by Horrocks’ men. The battle of El Alamein followed and the Middle East was secured for the Allies.

Montgomery got most of the credit for the victory. But military historical Philip Warner, who published Horrocks’ biography last year, said, “I think Monty owed Horrocks more than Horrocks owed Monty.”

Horrocks was transfered to the 10th Corps and was with the 1st Army when it liberated Tunis in 1943. But he was gravely wounded in a German air raid during a rehearsal for the Salerno, Italy, landing.

Though still in great pain from his wounds, he took part in the D-DAY landings at Normandy, leading the 30th Corps in the fastest single advance of the war to the capture of Brussels and Antwerp, on occasion issuing orders from an ambulance.

His corps suffered a severe set-back in the battle of Arnhem, in the Netherlands in September 1944. Horrocks said the annihilation of the small Allied force that gained the northern end of Arnhem bridge was “the blackest moment of my life.”

 

London Gazette : 9 August 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37213/supplement/4044/data.pdf

 

London Gazette : 24 June 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36065/supplement/2853/data.pdf

 

London Gazette : 20 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548/data.pdf

 

Recommendation for Award for Horrocks, Brian Gwynne Rank: Colonel Regiment: ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/22/167
Name Horrocks, Brian Gwynne
Rank: Colonel
Regiment: 13 Corps, The Middlesex Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 31 December 1942

 

Recommendation for Award for Horrocks, Brian Rank: Colonel Award: Legion of... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/186/1054
Name Horrocks, Brian
Rank: Colonel
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: France
Award: Legion of Honour (Commandeur)
Date: 1944

 

Recommendation for Award for Horrocks, Brian Gwynne Rank: Major General ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/144/102
Name Horrocks, Brian Gwynne
Rank: Major General
Regiment: 30 British Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: Netherlands
Award: Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Oranje Nassau with Swords
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 08 November 1945

 

Horrocks died in 1985, so it won't have anything to do with CWGC.

"For reasons unknown, his ashes were never scattered after his funeral in 1985 and it was not until earlier this year that his living relatives were tracked down and made aware of the casket’s existence.
...
His ashes were neither scattered nor collected and instead remained in the chapel of rest of a Co-Op undertakers in Chichester.

Unable to track down any living relatives, they held onto the remains for three decades before assistance from the Royal British Legion finally led them to the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, the successor to Lt Gen Sir Brian’s Middlesex Regiment.

Colonel John Powell, the regimental secretary, then spent several years trying to track down the family before turning to the services of a professional firm, which was able to locate the general’s grandchildren."

 

Perhaps there are plans for a headstone but as extended family are now involved, it'll primarily be a family matter and nothing to do with Government departments or anyone else. Relatives were only recently made aware of existence of his ashes.

They and/or the regiment might well have plans for a headstone which require discussion/planing/funding.

And, as you said yourself, he may not have actually wanted one...not that difficult to believe.