20116 General Sir Richard Nelson "Windy" GALE, GCB, KBE, DSO, MC

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by airborne medic, Sep 12, 2009.

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  1. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Anyone got any thoughts as to why the a/m was picked in 1941 to take command of the 1st Parachute Brigade?
    He had been from early 1941 commanding the 2nd/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment.
     
    airborne medic, Sep 12, 2009
    #1
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Haven't got a clue but in one of the early issues of Military Illustrated from the mid-late 1980s had a great article about him, I wonder if any of the members have a copy tucked away somewhere.
    Mine went out years ago.
     
    Owen, Sep 12, 2009
    #2
  3. idler

    idler GeneralList

    It's not much to add but, strictly speaking, Gale was appointed to raise and form 1 Para Bde, not simply command it. If you can excuse the pun, I think he must have been seen as a high-flying infantry commander in the right place at the right time to create a new type of infantry formation from what had been a commando-style 'special' force.
     
    idler, Sep 12, 2009
    #3
  4. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Well according to Wikipedia in 1941 ...

    ... Gale had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Coloneland given command of a Territorial Army battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. Then in the summer of 1941 1st Parachute Brigade was formed as part of the expansion of the British airborne forces and Gale was was offered command of the Brigade by General Alen Brooke, who was impressed with the high morale and standards in the battalion;

    Richard Nelson Gale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
    sol, Sep 13, 2009
    #4
    Chris C likes this.
  5. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    sol, Sep 13, 2009
    #5
  6. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    I have his book 'With the Sixth Airborne Division in Normandy' so not only raising and commanding 1st Parachute Brigade. He later went on to raise and command 6th Airborne Div.
    After scanning the opening chapter, all he says (in relation to forming 6th AD) on 1st Para Bde is this..
    It had, moreover, been my privilege to form the 1st Parachute Brigade early in September 1941. I had, therefore, a full and very intimate knowledge of airborne domestic problems; a knowledge gleaned from contacts with both the troops and the more Olympian War Office staff.
     
    Bodston, Sep 13, 2009
    #6
  7. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Just finished reading 'Generating and Sustaining Combat Effectiveness: British 6th Airborne Division, 5th November 1942 – 27th August 1944' by Andrew Stephen Wheale. The central character being General Gale.

    The author concludes in the final passage:
    Link: http://bear.buckingham.ac.uk/520/1/Andrew Wheale Complete Thesis 30-06-21.pdf
     
    davidbfpo, Jan 22, 2022
    #7
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  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 20116
    Rank: General
    Name: Sir Richard Nelson GALE, GCB, KBE, DSO, MC, MiD*
    Unit: Worcestershire Regiment ; Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry ; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers


    London Gazette : 21 December 1915
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29409/page/12693/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the Royal Military College, to be Second Lieutenants. Dated 22nd December,, 1915: —
    REGULAR FORCES.
    The Worcestershire Regiment.
    Richard Nelson Gale.

    London Gazette : 29 September 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29769/page/9481/data.pdf
    REGULAR FORCES.
    MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY).
    The undermentioned 2nd Lts. are apptd. to the Corps from the dates specified against their names, retaining their Army seniority:—
    R. N. Gale (Worc. R.). 13 Mar. 1916.

    London Gazette : 23 November 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29833/supplement/11393/data.pdf
    MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY).
    The undermentioned to be temp. Lts. 1 Nov. 1916:—
    2nd Lt. R. N. Gale (Worc. R.).

    London Gazette : 22 April 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30642/supplement/4811/data.pdf
    The undermentioned 2nd Lts. to be Lts. :—
    Worc. R.—
    R. N. Gale. 1st July 1917.

    London Gazette : 26 July 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30813/supplement/8800/data.pdf
    Lt. Richard Nelson Gale, Worc. R., secd. M.G.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in covering the retirement of the infantry with his section of machine guns, holding up the attack and causing the enemy heavy casualties. Later, when a shell landed in the centre of the gun limbers, he went out under heavy fire and unhitched the killed and wounded horses, so enabling the transport to move away to cover.

    London Gazette : 24 April 1923
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32817/page/2967/data.pdf
    Wore. R.—Lt. R. N.Gale, M.C., is secd, for service as an Asst. Instr., M.G. Sch., India, 11th Apr. 1923.

    London Gazette : 25 March 1930
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33591/page/1891/data.pdf
    D.C.L.I.—
    Lt. R. N. Gale, M.C., from Worc. R., to be Capt. 26th Feb. 1930.

    London Gazette : 23 February 1932

    London Gazette : 1 April 1932
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33813/page/2142/data.pdf
    D.C.L.I.—
    Capt. R. N. Gale, M.C., is secd, for serv. on the Staff. 1st Feb. 1932. (Substituted for the notification in the Gazette of the 23rd. Feb. 1932.

    London Gazette : 20 May 1932

    London Gazette : 18 November 1932
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33884/page/7344/data.pdf
    COMMANDS AND STAFF.
    The undermentioned appts. have been made in India:—
    G.S.O., 3rd Grade—
    Capt. E, N. Gale, M.C., D.C.L.I., 20th Feb. 1932. (Substituted for the notifn. in the Gazette of 20th May 1932.)

    London Gazette : 16 March 1934
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34033/page/1781/data.pdf
    COMMANDS AND STAFF.
    The undermentioned appts. have been made in India:—
    Bde. Majs.—
    Capt. R. N. Gale, M.C., D.O.L.I., 1st Jan. 1934.

    London Gazette : 3 July 1936
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34301/page/4228/data.pdf
    HALF YEARLY BREVETS.
    The undermentioned promotions are made. 1st July 1936:—
    To be Bt. Majs.
    Capt. R. N. Gale, M.C., D.C.L.I.

    London Gazette : 5 February 1937
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34368/page/789/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    The undermentioned appts. are made: —
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. R. N. Gale, M.C., D.C.L.I., to be G.S.O. 2nd Grade, War Office, ist Feb. 1937.

    London Gazette : 9 February 1937
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34369/page/891/data.pdf
    D.C.L.I.—
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. R. N. Gale, M.C., is secd, for serv. on the Staff, 1st Feb. 1937.

    London Gazette : 5 November 1937
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34451/page/6896/data.pdf
    Inniskilling Fus.—
    Capt. & Bt. Maj. R. N. Gale, M.C., from D.C.L.I., to be Capt. & Bt. Maj. 13th Oct. 1937, with seniority as Capt. 26th Feb. 1930, and remains secd.

    London Gazette : 11 July 1940
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34893/supplement/4251/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:—
    To be Additional Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
    Major (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) Richard Nelson Gale, M.C., The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    London Gazette : 21 May 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36023/supplement/2257/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    War Subs. Lt.-Col. (temp. Brig.) R. N. Gale, O.B.E., M.C. (20116), Inniskilling Fus., is granted the actg. rank of Maj.-Gen. 7th May 1943.

    London Gazette : 12 May 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36509/supplement/2171/data.pdf
    INFANTRY.
    Inniskilling Fus.
    War Subs. Lt.-Col. (actg. Maj.-Gen.) R. N. Gale, O.B.E., M.C. (20116) to be temp. Maj.-Gen. and War Subs Col. 7th May 1944.

    London Gazette : 31 August 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36679/supplement/4043/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Normandy:—
    The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major-General (temporary) Richard Nelson Gale, O.B.E., M.C. (20116), late The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    London Gazette : 22 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.
    Maj.-Gen. (temp.) R N. Gale, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116), late Inniskilling Fus.

    London Gazette : 22 June 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37140/supplement/3255/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Col. (temp. Maj.-Gen.) R. N. GALE, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116), is granted the actg. rank of Lt.-Gen., 24th May 1945.

    London Gazette : 2 August 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37204/supplement/3953/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe:—
    To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honorable Order:—
    Major-General (temporary) Richard Nelson GALE, O.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (20016), late The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

    London Gazette : 10 December 1946
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37811/supplement/6007/data.pdf
    REGULAR. ARMY.
    Col. (temp. Maj.-Gen.) R. N. GALE, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116) to be Maj.-Gen. 4th Dec. 1946 with seniority 5th Jan. 1945.

    London Gazette : 16 January 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38178/supplement/401/data.pdf
    The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the under- mentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies:—
    DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
    Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander.
    Lieutenant-General Richard Nelson GALE, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116), late Infantry.

    London Gazette : 7 January 1949
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38505/supplement/124/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Palestine during the period 27th March, 1946-26th September, 1946:—
    COMMANDS AND STAFF.
    Lt.-Gen. R. N. GALE, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116).

    London Gazette : 18 April 1950
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38886/supplement/1861/data.pdf
    Worcs. R.
    Lt.-Gen. Richard Nelson GALE, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116), late Inf., Director General of Military Training, is appointed Colonel 20th Apr. 1950, vice Col. (Hon. Brig.) Bowoher Campbell Senhouse CLARKE, D.S.O. (6006), tenure expired.

    London Gazette : 8 June 1950
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38929/supplement/2780/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 promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:—
    To be Ordinary Knights Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
    Lieutenant-General Richard Nelson GALE, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (20116), Colonel, The Worcestershire Regiment, late Infantry.

    London Gazette : 1 August 1952
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39612/supplement/4121/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Lt.-Gen. Sir Richard N. GALE, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (20116), late Inf., to be Gen., 6th June 1952.

    London Gazette : 17 October 1952
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39671/supplement/5451/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    COMMANDS AND STAFF.
    Gen. Sir Richard N. GALE, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (20116), late Inf., is appointed Commander-in Chief, British Army of the Rhine, 24th Sept. 1952.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1953
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39732/supplement/3/data.pdf
    The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to give, orders for the following promotions 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:—
    General Sir Richard Nelson GALE, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (20116), late Infantry. Colonel, The Worcestershire Regiment.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1954
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40053/supplement/3/data.pdf
    The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath:—
    To be an Ordinary Member of the Military Division of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, of the said Most Honourable Order :—
    General Sir Richard Nelson GALE, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (20116) late Infantry. Colonel, the Worcestershire Regiment.

    London Gazette : 28 December 1956
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40958/supplement/7333/data.pdf
    The QUEEN has been pleased to grant permission for the acceptance and wearing of the fallowing French award:—
    Legion of Honour (Degree of Commander) and Croix-de-Guerre with Palm.
    General Sir Richard Nelson GALE. G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., MC., A.D.C.

    London Gazette : 4 January 1957
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40968/supplement/144/data.pdf
    COMMANDS ANDSTAFF.
    Gen. Sir Richard! !N. GALE, -GJC.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., A.D.C. (20116), late Inf., relinquishes his appointment as Commander, Northern Army Group and Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, remaining on full pay, 1st Jan. 1957.

    London Gazette : 30 September 1958
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41508/supplement/5954/data.pdf
    COMMANDS AND STAFF
    Gen. Sir Richard N. GALE, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (20116), late Inf. is appointed Deputy Supreme Commander, Allied Powers in Europe, 20th Sept. 1958.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2023
    dbf, Jan 25, 2022
    #8
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #9
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #10
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #11
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Mar 18, 2023
    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #12
    brithm likes this.
  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #13
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Mar 18, 2023
    #14
  15. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    In addition to those books cited above, there's a newish publication (which I have not read) on his 6th Airborne Division:

    51A9fgVCkDL._SX344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
     
    Charley Fortnum, Mar 18, 2023
    #15
    dbf likes this.
  16. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Charley,

    I referred to this author's PhD in Post 7, which is available online should you be tempted! I have no doubt the book is his PhD.
     
    davidbfpo, Apr 13, 2023
    #16
    Charley Fortnum likes this.
  17. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Shall take a look, cheers.
     
    Charley Fortnum, Apr 13, 2023
    #17
  18. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    It is his PhD, but they are different
     
    Staffsyeoman, Apr 15, 2023
    #18
  19. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

    upload_2023-5-7_18-1-17.png
    upload_2023-5-7_18-3-17.png
     
    brithm, May 7, 2023
    #19
  20. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

    upload_2023-5-7_18-2-14.png
     
    brithm, May 7, 2023
    #20

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