6305 Major-General Sir Stewart Graham MENZIES, KCB, KCMG, DSO, MC, Life Guards

Hi,

I am trying to establish the career of Major-General Sir Stewart Graham Menzies, and I am a bit puzzled.

He retired from the Army as a Colonel on the 17th April 1940, but any further promotions eludes me. The London Gazette refers to him as a Major-General (1st June 1951), as a Local Major-General (16th November 1948 & 28th January 1949), as a Colonel (20th February 1948), as a Temporary Major-General (14 January 1947 & 11th may 1948) a Local Brigadier (5th October 1943). Every time in connection with the confirment of an order or decoration whether British or Foreign.

Various sources mentions that he was promoted to Major-General in January 1944, 1944 or 1945 but none gives an exact date. What is strange that no Army List has him with a rank higher than Colonel - None of the Quarterly Army Lists during the war, nor the Gradation Lists for 1957 or 1962.

Yet he is always referred to as a Major-General, which is strange if he was not promoted to the substantive rank of Major-General or Granted the Honorary rank of Major-General, which should be in the Gradation Lists.

I all seems a bit strange to me. Of course considering his line of work a promotion may have been a secret at one point, but surely not after his retirement.

Does anybody have any further information about his promotions?

 

Personal Number: 6305
Rank: Major-General
Name: Sir Stewart Graham MENZIES, KCB, KCMG, DSO*, MC
Unit: Life Guards


London Gazette : 3 August 1909
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28276/page/5907/data.pdf
FOOT GUARDS.
Grenadier Guards
The undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants (on probation). Dated 4th August, 1909 :—
Stewart Graham Menzies, in succession to Lieutenant J. H. Leveson-Gower, resigned.

London Gazette : 7 June 1910
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28382/page/3996/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
CAVALRY.
2nd Life Guards, Second Lieutenant (on probation) Stewart G. Menzies, from Grenadier Guards, to be Second Lieutenant (on pro- bation), in succession to Lieutenant E. A. L. Green, resigned. Dated 8th June, 1910.

London Gazette : 23 August 1910
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28409/page/6107/data.pdf
FOOT GUARDS.
Grenadier Guards,
Second Lieutenant Thomas FLeetwood Joseph Nicol Thome, from Unattached List, Territorial Force (University Candidate), to be Second Lieutenant, vice S. G. Menzies, transferred to 2nd Life Guards. Dated 15th September, 1909, and to take precedence above G. M. J. A. Grisewood, but not to carry pay or allowances prior to 24th August, 1910.

London Gazette: no. 28743, p. 5573, 5 August 1913.

London Gazette : 1 December 1914
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28992/page/10188/data.pdf
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment of the undermentioned Officers to be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, in recognition of their services with the Expeditionary Force, specified below:—
Lieutenant Stewart Graham Menzies, 2nd} Life Guards.
Showed the greatest coolness during the attack on German position led by Major the Honourable A. F. Stanley, 1st Life Guards, on the 7th November, in support of the right flank of the 4th Guards Brigade, and again on the evening of that day.

London Gazette : 3 July 1915
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29215/supplement/6535/data.pdf
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment of the undermentioned Officers to be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force: —
Captain Stewart Graham Menzies, D.S.O., 2nd Life Guards.
Near Ypres, on 13th May, 1915, after his Commanding Officer had been wounded, displayed conspicuous ability, coolness and resource in controlling the action of his regiment and rallying the men.

London Gazette : 10 January 1916
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29433/supplement/435/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
GENERAL STAFF.
General Staff Officers—
3rd Grade—
Captain Stewart G. Menzies, D.S.O., 2nd Life Guards, vice Captain G. H. Bell, The Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire: Regiment). Dated 18th December, 1915.

London Gazette : 1 January 1917
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29886/supplement/18/data.pdf
TO BE BREVET MAJORS.
Capt. S. G. Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., L. Gds.

London Gazette : 14 February 1917
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29943/supplement/1593/data.pdf
Decorations conferred by HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS. (November 2, 1916.)
Chevalier de I'Ordre de la Couronne.
Captain Stewart Graham Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., Life Guards.

London Gazette : 2 June 1917
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30110/supplement/5452/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 presented by THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
Legion d'Honneur. Croix de Chevalier.
Captain and Brevet Major Stewart Graham Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., Life Guards.

London Gazette : 11 March 1918
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30568/supplement/3097/data.pdf
The following axe 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 conferred by HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.
CROIX DE GUERRE.
Brevet Major Stewart Graham Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., Life Guards.

London Gazette : 17 November 1922
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32768/page/8111/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
CAVALRY.
The undermentioned to be Majs. 18th Nov. 1922:
Maj. S. G. Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., from 2nd L.G., with seniority 14th Sept. 1921.

London Gazette : 3 April 1923
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32811/page/2512/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
COMMANDS ANDSTAFF.
The undermentioned appts. are made at the War Office:—
G.S.O.s, 2nd Grade.—
Maj. (temp. Lt.-Col.) S. G. Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., L.G., from G.S.O., 1st Grade, and to retain his temp. rank whilst so empld. 1st Apr. 1923.

London Gazette : 1 January 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35399/supplement/3/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, or appointments to, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath:—
To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order:—
Colonel (local Brigadier) Stewart Graham Menzies, D.S.O., M.C., retired pay, late The Life Guards

London Gazette : 1 January 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35841/page/5/data.pdf
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER OF SAINT MICHAEL AND SAINT GEORGE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give directions for the following appointments to the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George:—
To be Additional Members of the Second Class, or Knights Commanders, of the said Most Distinguished Order:—
Colonel (local Brigadier) Stewart Graham Menzies, C.B., D.S.O., M.C., late The Life Guards. For official services.

London Gazette : 8 October 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36200/supplement/4441/data.pdf
The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred upon the undermentioned officers in recognition of services in the cause of the Allies.
DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND.
Order of Polonia Restituta.
3rd Class.
Colonel (local Brigadier) Sir Stewart Menzies, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late Life Guards.

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 His ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF BELGIUM.
Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold with Palm. Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm.
Major General (temporary) Sir Stewart Graham MENZIES, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late The Life Guards.

London Gazette : 14 May 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38288/supplement/2922/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 HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS.
Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau.
Major-Genera (-temporary) Sir Steward Graham MENZIES, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late The Life Guards.

London Gazette : 19 November 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6061/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 His MAJESTY THE KING OF NORWAY.
Commander with Star of the Royal Order of St. Olav.
Major-General (local) Sir Stuart Graham MENZIES, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late Cavalry.

London Gazette : 28 January 1949
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38523/supplement/495/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 THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander.
Major-General (local) Sir Stuart Graham MENZIES, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late The Life Guards.

London Gazette : 7 June 1951
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39243/supplement/3063/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 promotion in the Most Honourable Order of the Bath:—
To be an Ordinary Member of the Military. Division of the Second Class, or Knights Commanders, of the said Most Honourable Order: —
Major-General Sir Stewart Graham MENZIES, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (6305), late The Life Guards.

 

Recommendation for Award for Menzies, Sir Stewart Rank: Major General ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/149/173
Name Menzies, Sir Stewart
Rank: Major General
Regiment: British Army
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: USA
Award: Legion of Merit
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 28 January 1949

 

See also:

• Stewart Menzies - Wikipedia
• Biography of Major-General Stewart Graham Menzies (1890 – 1968), Great Britain
• Person Page
• Life story: Stewart Graham Menzies | Lives of the First World War

His brothers:

• 21169 Keith Graham MENZIES, OBE, MC, Welsh Guards
• Major Ian Graham MENZIES

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