LtCol Colin Vyvian O'Neill McNabb 1904-43

Did this officer see service as a company commander in WW2? He was a Seaforth Highlander who'd become an acting Major by the outbreak of war and a Temporary Major by December of that year. He would only have seen action in France 1940, if not a company commander then possibly as a battalion adjutant . By 1941, now a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel. I suspect he was making his career as a staff officer and by late 1942 was BGS to General Anderson (1st Army). He dropped two ranks to lead the 8th Argylls in Tunisia but was killed after only a month in action. I suspect his reason was that he had not held a combat command and needed it to advance his career. Described as "fearless" according to some, he had no decorations which argues he was not often in situations to show this. He ran afoul of the officers of the 8th Argylls by his initial orders but was aware enough when challenged by his company commanders to modify them.

 

Just found another possible reason. In the book "Alamein: War Without Hate" the authors write that McNabb had been identified by Montgomery as complaining too much and wanted him replaced by a Montgomery appointee.