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{{Short description|British and Indian Army officer (1895–1990)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | |||
{{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
|name=John Aldan Aizlewood | |honorific_prefix = [[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] | ||
|name= John Aldan Aizlewood | |||
|honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MC*|DL}} | |||
|image= John Aldam Aizlewood.jpg | |image= John Aldam Aizlewood.jpg | ||
|caption= | |caption= | ||
|nickname= | |||
|birth_date= {{birth date|1895|1|4|df=yes}} | |birth_date= {{birth date|1895|1|4|df=yes}} | ||
|death_date={{death date and age|1990|9|27|1895|1|4|df=yes}} | |birth_place= [[Sheffield]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], England | ||
|death_date= {{death date and age|1990|9|27|1895|1|4|df=yes}} | |||
|death_place= [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], England | |||
|placeofburial= | |||
|death_place=[[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], England | |allegiance= United Kingdom | ||
| | |branch= [[British Army]] | ||
|allegiance= | |serviceyears= 1914–1945 | ||
|branch= | |rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] | ||
|serviceyears=1914–1945 | |servicenumber= 13500 | ||
|unit= [[4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards|4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards]]<br/>[[4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards]] | |||
|rank=[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] | |commands= [[42nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|42nd Armoured Division]]<br/>[[30th Armoured Brigade]]<br/>[[29th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|29th Armoured Brigade]]<br/>[[252nd Indian Armoured Brigade|2nd Indian Armoured Brigade Group]]<br/>[[3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade]]<br/>[[4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards]] | ||
|unit=[[4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards|4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards]]<br>[[4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards]] | |battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Second World War]] | ||
|commands=[[ | |awards= [[Military Cross]] & [[Medal bar|Bar]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]] (2) | ||
|battles=[[World War | |relations= | ||
|awards=[[Military Cross]] | |laterwork= | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] '''John Aldam Aizlewood''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MC1|DL}} (4 January 1895 – 27 September 1990) was a senior | [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] '''John Aldam Aizlewood''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|MC1|DL}} (4 January 1895 – 27 September 1990) was a senior [[British Army]] officer who served in the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War]]s. | ||
==Military career== | ==Military career== | ||
John Aldan Aizlewood was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] into [[4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards]] on 12 August 1914.<ref name=lh>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/AIZLEWOOD.shtml|title=Aizlewood, John Aldam |publisher=Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322045143/http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/AIZLEWOOD.shtml |access-date=27 May 2020|archive-date=2009-03-22 }}</ref><ref name="Half Yearly Army List January 1946">Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> | John Aldan Aizlewood was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] into the [[4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards]] on 12 August 1914.<ref name=lh>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/AIZLEWOOD.shtml|title=Aizlewood, John Aldam |publisher=Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322045143/http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/AIZLEWOOD.shtml |access-date=27 May 2020|archive-date=2009-03-22 }}</ref><ref name="Half Yearly Army List January 1946">Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> He served in the [[First World War]] on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] and was awarded the [[Military Cross]] (MC) and [[Medal bar|Bar]] while serving with the [[Machine Gun Corps]].<ref name=lh/> The citation for his MC, awarded in January 1918, reads:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30651|page=4994|supp=y|date=23 April 1918}}</ref> | ||
{{Quote|For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when with the leading troops of an advanced guard. Owing to his initiative and resource an enemy ammunition column was destroyed, a headquarters raided, and several officers, fifty men and two machine guns were captured.}} | |||
The Bar to his MC, awarded in June, reads:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30761|page=7397|supp=y|date=21 June 1918}}</ref> | |||
{{Quote|For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the troops on his right flank withdrawing, he immediately organised a counter-attack, leading it himself, by which the lost ground was regained. He succeeded in (maintaining his position, displaying the greatest initiative and gallantry throughout a most trying period.}} | |||
Returning to the | After the war, Aizlewood became a [[brigade major]] in India in 1927<ref name=lh/> and attended the [[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Staff College, Quetta]], from 1932 to 1933, alongside future generals [[John Grover (British Army officer)|John Grover]] and [[Edmund Hakewill-Smith]]. From 1936 to 1939 he was the [[commanding officer]] of the [[4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://generals.dk/general/Aizlewood/John_Aldam/Great_Britain.html|title=Aizlewood, John Aldam|publisher=Generals.dk|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref> He was promoted colonel 1 August 1939 with seniority 25 May that year.<ref name="Half Yearly Army List January 1946"/> | ||
Aizlewood also served in the [[Second World War]], initially becoming commander of the [[3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade]] in 1939.<ref name=lh/> In August 1941 as part of Paiforce (formerly [[Iraqforce]]), Brigadier Aizlewood commanded ''Hazelforce'' and the [[252nd Indian Armoured Brigade|2nd Indian Armoured Brigade Group]]<ref name=lh/> during the [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia]]. He moved on to be commander of the [[30th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|30th Armoured Brigade]] in August 1942 and then took responsibility for completing the conversion of the [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division]] into a mechanised unit as the [[42nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|42nd Armoured Division]] in December 1942.<ref name=lh/> | |||
Returning to the United Kingdom, Aizlewood was appointed commander of Essex and Suffolk District in late 1943 and acting [[General Officer Commanding]]-in-Chief for [[Eastern Command (United Kingdom)|Eastern Command]] in 1944 while Sir [[Alan Cunningham]] was away: he retired 9 May 1945 as an honorary major general.<ref name=lh/><ref name="Half Yearly Army List January 1946"/> | |||
In retirement he was Colonel of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards from 1948 to 1958.<ref name=lh/> | In retirement he was Colonel of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards from 1948 to 1958.<ref name=lh/> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|30em}} | {{reflist|30em}} | ||
==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== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_A04.html#Aizlewood_JA British Army Officers 1939−1945] | *[http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_A04.html#Aizlewood_JA British Army Officers 1939−1945] | ||
*[ | *[https://generals.dk/general/Aizlewood/John_Aldam/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II] | ||
{{s-start}} | {{s-start}} | ||
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{{s-bef|before=[[Miles Dempsey]]}} | {{s-bef|before=[[Miles Dempsey]]}} | ||
{{s-ttl|title=[[42nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|GOC 42nd Armoured Division]]|years=1942–1943}} | {{s-ttl|title=[[42nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|GOC 42nd Armoured Division]]|years=1942–1943}} | ||
{{s-aft|after=[[Geoffrey Charles Evans|Geoffrey Evans]]<br><small>(as GOC [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division|42nd (Lancashire) Division]])</small>}} | {{s-aft|after=[[Geoffrey Charles Evans|Geoffrey Evans]]<br/><small>(as GOC [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division|42nd (Lancashire) Division]])</small>}} | ||
{{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
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[[Category:1895 births]] | [[Category:1895 births]] | ||
[[Category:1990 deaths]] | [[Category:1990 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:British Army major generals]] | |||
[[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]] | [[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]] | ||
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]] | [[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]] | ||
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[[Category:Machine Gun Corps officers]] | [[Category:Machine Gun Corps officers]] | ||
[[Category:4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards officers]] | [[Category:4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards officers]] | ||
[[Category:Deputy lieutenants of Gloucestershire]] | |||
[[Category:Deputy | |||
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] | ||
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College | [[Category:Graduates of the Command and Staff College Quetta]] | ||
[[Category:Military personnel from | [[Category:Military personnel from Sheffield]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:48, 20 January 2026
John Aldan Aizlewood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 January 1895 Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 27 September 1990 (aged 95) Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Service number | 13500 |
| Unit | 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards |
| Commands held | 42nd Armoured Division 30th Armoured Brigade 29th Armoured Brigade 2nd Indian Armoured Brigade Group 3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Military Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
Major-General John Aldam Aizlewood, MC & Bar, DL (4 January 1895 – 27 September 1990) was a senior British Army officer who served in the First and Second World Wars.
Military career[edit | edit source]
John Aldan Aizlewood was commissioned into the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards on 12 August 1914.[1][2] He served in the First World War on the Western Front and was awarded the Military Cross (MC) and Bar while serving with the Machine Gun Corps.[1] The citation for his MC, awarded in January 1918, reads:[3]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when with the leading troops of an advanced guard. Owing to his initiative and resource an enemy ammunition column was destroyed, a headquarters raided, and several officers, fifty men and two machine guns were captured.
The Bar to his MC, awarded in June, reads:[4]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the troops on his right flank withdrawing, he immediately organised a counter-attack, leading it himself, by which the lost ground was regained. He succeeded in (maintaining his position, displaying the greatest initiative and gallantry throughout a most trying period.
After the war, Aizlewood became a brigade major in India in 1927[1] and attended the Staff College, Quetta, from 1932 to 1933, alongside future generals John Grover and Edmund Hakewill-Smith. From 1936 to 1939 he was the commanding officer of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.[5] He was promoted colonel 1 August 1939 with seniority 25 May that year.[2]
Aizlewood also served in the Second World War, initially becoming commander of the 3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade in 1939.[1] In August 1941 as part of Paiforce (formerly Iraqforce), Brigadier Aizlewood commanded Hazelforce and the 2nd Indian Armoured Brigade Group[1] during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia. He moved on to be commander of the 30th Armoured Brigade in August 1942 and then took responsibility for completing the conversion of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division into a mechanised unit as the 42nd Armoured Division in December 1942.[1]
Returning to the United Kingdom, Aizlewood was appointed commander of Essex and Suffolk District in late 1943 and acting General Officer Commanding-in-Chief for Eastern Command in 1944 while Sir Alan Cunningham was away: he retired 9 May 1945 as an honorary major general.[1][2]
In retirement he was Colonel of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards from 1948 to 1958.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Aizlewood, John Aldam". Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Half Yearly Army List January 1946
- ↑ "No. 30651". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 1918. p. 4994.
- ↑ "No. 30761". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1918. p. 7397.
- ↑ "Aizlewood, John Aldam". Generals.dk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.
External links[edit | edit source]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Miles Dempsey |
GOC 42nd Armoured Division 1942–1943 |
Succeeded by Geoffrey Evans (as GOC 42nd (Lancashire) Division) |