Billy Key - Revision history

Bot at 20:32, 6 October 2022

2022-10-06T20:32:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:02, 7 October 2022
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	{{Short description\|British Indian Army major-general (1895–1986)}}		{{Short description\|British Indian Army major-general (1895–1986)}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2021}}
	{{Use British English\|date=February ~~2022~~}}		{{Use British English\|date=February 2012}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\|name= Berthold Wells Key		\|name= Berthold Wells Key

Bot at 20:32, 6 October 2022

2022-10-06T20:32:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:02, 7 October 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Short description\|British Indian Army major-general (1895–1986)}}		{{Short description\|British Indian Army major-general (1895–1986)}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2021}}
	{{Use British English\|date=February ~~2012~~}}		{{Use British English\|date=February 2022}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\|name= Berthold Wells Key		\|name= Berthold Wells Key
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	\|alt=		\|alt=
	\|caption=		\|caption=
	\|nickname= Billy		\|nickname= "Billy"
	\|birth_date= {{birth date\|1895\|12\|19\|df=yes}}		\|birth_date= {{birth date\|1895\|12\|19\|df=yes}}
	\|birth_place=		\|birth_place=
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	\|branch= [[British Indian Army]]		\|branch= [[British Indian Army]]
	\|serviceyears= 1914–1949		\|serviceyears= 1914–1949
			\|servicenumber= 9051
	\|rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)\|Major General]]		\|rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)\|Major General]]
	\|unit= [[Sikh Regiment]]		\|unit= [[Sikh Regiment]]
	\|commands= [[Lahore District]] (1947–49)<br/>[[Rawalpindi District]] (1946–47)<br/>[[11th Infantry Division (India)\|11th Indian Division]] (1942)<br/>[[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (1940–42)<br/>2nd Battalion, [[11th Sikh Regiment]]		\|commands= [[Lahore District]] (1947–49)<br/>[[Rawalpindi District]] (1946–47)<br/>[[11th Infantry Division (India)\|11th Indian Division]] (1942)<br/>[[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (1940–42)<br/>2nd Battalion, [[11th Sikh Regiment]]
	\|battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Military history of the North-West Frontier\|North-West Frontier]]<br/>[[Second World War]]		\|battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Military history of the North-West Frontier\|North-West Frontier]]<br/>[[Second World War]]
	*[[~~Battle of Malaya~~]]		*[[Malayan campaign]]
	*[[~~Battle~~ of Singapore]]		*[[Fall of Singapore]]
	\|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]] (2)		\|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]] (2)
	\|relations=		\|relations=
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Born on 19 December 1895, the son of Dr J.M. Key, he was educated at [[Dulwich College]] in [[London]] and commissioned onto the Unattached List of the [[British Army]] on 1 October 1914. Two months later he transferred to the [[British Indian Army]].~~<ref name="Smart177">~~Smart, p. 177~~</ref>~~		Born on 19 December 1895, the son of Dr J.M. Key, he was educated at [[Dulwich College]] in [[London]] and commissioned onto the Unattached List of the [[British Army]] on 1 October 1914. Two months later he transferred to the [[British Indian Army]].{{sfn\|Smart\|2005\|p=177}}

	==Military ~~Service~~==		==Military service==
	===First World War===		===First World War===
	Key served with the 45th Rattray's Sikhs during the [[First World War]], reaching the rank of captain by 1918.~~<ref name~~=~~"Smart177"/>~~ He was wounded in [[Mesopotamia]] in 1918 and received the [[Military Cross]]~~. His~~ citation for ~~the Military Cross~~ reads:		Key served with the 45th Rattray's Sikhs during the [[First World War]], reaching the rank of captain by 1918.{{sfn\|Smart\|2005\|p=177}} He was wounded in [[Mesopotamia]] in 1918 and received the [[Military Cross]], the citation for which reads:

	{{quotation\|For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Shuraimiyah on 20th October, 1918. During a reconnaissance towards the Fathah position he was ordered to advance and secure a ridge held by the enemy. Although exposed to heavy fire the company successfully reached its objective, where he moved about fearlessly in order to make his dispositions to the best advantage. He was eventually wounded, but refused to undergo treatment until his company had been withdrawn to camp. His behaviour throughout was splendid.}}		{{quotation\|For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Shuraimiyah on 20th October, 1918. During a reconnaissance towards the Fathah position he was ordered to advance and secure a ridge held by the enemy. Although exposed to heavy fire the company successfully reached its objective, where he moved about fearlessly in order to make his dispositions to the best advantage. He was eventually wounded, but refused to undergo treatment until his company had been withdrawn to camp. His behaviour throughout was splendid.}}

	In 1917 he married Aileen Leslie (died 1951), daughter of Colonel E.L. Dunsterville RE, with whom he had a son and two daughters. His son was killed in action in Italy during the [[Second World War]].~~<ref name~~=~~"Smart177"/>~~		In 1917 he married Aileen Leslie (died 1951), daughter of Colonel E.L. Dunsterville RE, with whom he had a son and two daughters. His son was killed in action in Italy during the [[Second World War]].{{sfn\|Smart\|2005\|p=177}}

	===Between the wars===		===Between the wars===
	After the First World War Key served in [[Afghanistan]] and, with the 3/11th Battalion, [[Sikh Regiment]] on the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–1955)\|North West Frontier]]. Attending the [[Command and Staff College\|Staff College, Quetta]], from 1931 to 1932,~~<ref name="Smart177"/>~~ in 1935 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and from 1936 he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment. In 1937 he received the [[Distinguished Service Order]] while serving in [[Waziristan]].~~<ref name~~=~~"Smart177"/>~~		After the First World War Key served in [[Afghanistan]] and, with the 3/11th Battalion, [[Sikh Regiment]] on the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–1955)\|North West Frontier]]. Attending the [[Pakistan Command and Staff College\|Staff College, Quetta]], from 1931 to 1932, in 1935 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and from 1936 he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment. In 1937 he received the [[Distinguished Service Order]] while serving in [[Waziristan]].{{sfn\|Smart\|2005\|p=177}}

	===Second World War===		===Second World War===
	He was appointed temporary Deputy Military Secretary, India from 21 December 1939 to 17 August 1940.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> From 18 August 1940 to 13 January 1942 he commanded the [[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] in [[British Malaya\|Malaya]]. Key's brigade were the first British troops to face the Japanese when they [[Japanese ~~Invasion~~ of Malaya\|invaded Malaya]] in December 1941. When Major General [[David Murray-Lyon]] was dismissed from command of the [[11th Infantry Division (India)\|11th Indian Division]] Key replaced Brigadier [[Archibald Paris]] as commander of the division. He proved an able commander but the situation in [[Malayan campaign\|Malaya]] was at this point beyond salvaging and the [[British ~~Army]]~~ surrendered at [[Singapore]] on 15 February 1942 to a numerically smaller Japanese force. Key spent the remainder of the war as a [[prisoner of war]] in Japan.		He was appointed temporary Deputy Military Secretary, India from 21 December 1939 to 17 August 1940.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> From 18 August 1940 to 13 January 1942 he commanded the [[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] in [[British Malaya\|Malaya]]. Key's brigade were the first British troops to face the Japanese when they [[Japanese invasion of Malaya\|invaded Malaya]] in December 1941. When Major General [[David Murray-Lyon]] was dismissed from command of the [[11th Infantry Division (India)\|11th Indian Division]] Key replaced Brigadier [[Archibald Paris]] as commander of the division. He proved an able commander but the situation in [[Malayan campaign\|Malaya]] was at this point beyond salvaging and the British-led forces surrendered at [[Singapore]] on 15 February 1942 to a numerically smaller Japanese force. Key spent the remainder of the war as a [[prisoner of war]] in Japan.

	===Post-war===		===Post-war===
	On his release Key became [[aide-de-camp]] to [[~~King~~ George VI]] followed by district commands in India. He was promoted substantive major general on 20 January 1947, with seniority 2 April 1944.<ref>London Gazette 8 April 1947</ref> He retired in January 1949, and died in [[Sandwich, Kent\|Sandwich]], [[Kent]], on 26 September 1986.		On his release Key became [[aide-de-camp]] to King [[George VI]] followed by district commands in India. He was promoted substantive major general on 20 January 1947, with seniority 2 April 1944.<ref>London Gazette 8 April 1947</ref> He retired in January 1949, and died in [[Sandwich, Kent\|Sandwich]], [[Kent]], on 26 September 1986.

	==References==		==References==
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	==External links==		==External links==
	*{{oob person \| id = 420 \| name = Berthold Wells Key }}		*{{oob person \| id = 420 \| name = Berthold Wells Key }}
	* [http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80005992 Imperial War Museum Interview]		*[http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80005992 Imperial War Museum Interview]
			*[https://generals.dk/general/Key/Berthold_Wells/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Berthold Wells}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Berthold Wells}}
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	[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]		[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]
	[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta]]		[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta]]
			[[Category:British Indian Army generals]]

imported>Uness232: Reverted edits by 2001:48F8:56:14F5:2C1F:6EC6:6A46:33DF (talk): factual errors (HG) (3.4.10)

2021-08-26T01:22:16Z

Reverted edits by 2001:48F8:56:14F5:2C1F:6EC6:6A46:33DF (talk): factual errors (HG) (3.4.10)

← Older revision	Revision as of 06:52, 26 August 2021
(No difference)

>Dawnseeker2000: date format audit, link maintenance

2021-04-06T06:28:11Z

date format audit, link maintenance

New page

{{Short description|British Indian Army major-general (1895–1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Berthold Wells Key
|image=
|image_size=
|alt=
|caption=
|nickname= Billy
|birth_date= {{birth date|1895|12|19|df=yes}}
|birth_place=
|death_date= {{death date and age|1986|09|26|1895|12|19|df=yes}}
|death_place= [[Sandwich, Kent|Sandwich]], [[Kent]]
|placeofburial=
|allegiance= United Kingdom
|branch= [[British Indian Army]]
|serviceyears= 1914–1949
|rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]]
|unit= [[Sikh Regiment]]
|commands= [[Lahore District]] (1947–49) [[Rawalpindi District]] (1946–47) [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Indian Division]] (1942) [[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (1940–42) 2nd Battalion, [[11th Sikh Regiment]]
|battles= [[First World War]] [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]] [[Second World War]]
*[[Battle of Malaya]]
*[[Battle of Singapore]]
|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] [[Distinguished Service Order]] [[Military Cross]] [[Mentioned in Despatches]] (2)
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] '''Berthold Wells Key''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CB|DSO|MC}} (19 December 1895 – 26 September 1986), known as '''Billy Key''', was a [[British Indian Army]] officer.

==Early life==
Born on 19 December 1895, the son of Dr J.M. Key, he was educated at [[Dulwich College]] in [[London]] and commissioned onto the Unattached List of the [[British Army]] on 1 October 1914. Two months later he transferred to the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name="Smart177">Smart, p. 177</ref>

==Military Service==
===First World War===
Key served with the 45th Rattray's Sikhs during the [[First World War]], reaching the rank of captain by 1918.<ref name="Smart177"/> He was wounded in [[Mesopotamia]] in 1918 and received the [[Military Cross]]. His citation for the Military Cross reads:

{{quotation|For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Shuraimiyah on 20th October, 1918. During a reconnaissance towards the Fathah position he was ordered to advance and secure a ridge held by the enemy. Although exposed to heavy fire the company successfully reached its objective, where he moved about fearlessly in order to make his dispositions to the best advantage. He was eventually wounded, but refused to undergo treatment until his company had been withdrawn to camp. His behaviour throughout was splendid.}}

In 1917 he married Aileen Leslie (died 1951), daughter of Colonel E.L. Dunsterville RE, with whom he had a son and two daughters. His son was killed in action in Italy during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Smart177"/>

===Between the wars===
After the First World War Key served in [[Afghanistan]] and, with the 3/11th Battalion, [[Sikh Regiment]] on the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–1955)|North West Frontier]]. Attending the [[Command and Staff College|Staff College, Quetta]], from 1931 to 1932,<ref name="Smart177"/> in 1935 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and from 1936 he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment. In 1937 he received the [[Distinguished Service Order]] while serving in [[Waziristan]].<ref name="Smart177"/>

===Second World War===
He was appointed temporary Deputy Military Secretary, India from 21 December 1939 to 17 August 1940.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> From 18 August 1940 to 13 January 1942 he commanded the [[8th Indian Infantry Brigade]] in [[British Malaya|Malaya]]. Key's brigade were the first British troops to face the Japanese when they [[Japanese Invasion of Malaya|invaded Malaya]] in December 1941. When Major General [[David Murray-Lyon]] was dismissed from command of the [[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Indian Division]] Key replaced Brigadier [[Archibald Paris]] as commander of the division. He proved an able commander but the situation in [[Malayan campaign|Malaya]] was at this point beyond salvaging and the [[British Army]] surrendered at [[Singapore]] on 15 February 1942 to a numerically smaller Japanese force. Key spent the remainder of the war as a [[prisoner of war]] in Japan.

===Post-war===
On his release Key became [[aide-de-camp]] to [[King George VI]] followed by district commands in India. He was promoted substantive major general on 20 January 1947, with seniority 2 April 1944.<ref>London Gazette 8 April 1947</ref> He retired in January 1949, and died in [[Sandwich, Kent|Sandwich]], [[Kent]], on 26 September 1986.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book| first=Nick| last=Smart| title=Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War| isbn=1844150496| year=2005| location=Barnesley| publisher=Pen & Sword}}

==External links==
*{{oob person | id = 420 | name = Berthold Wells Key }}
* [http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80005992 Imperial War Museum Interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Berthold Wells}}
[[Category:1895 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Indian Army generals of World War II]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Military of Singapore under British rule]]
[[Category:People educated at Dulwich College]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta]]