Blondie Hasler
| Herbert George Hasler | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Blondie |
| Born |
27 February 1914 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 5 May 1987 (aged 73) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Marines
|
| Years of service | 1932–1948 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Royal Marines |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire Mentioned in Despatches Croix de guerre (France) |
Herbert George "Blondie" Hasler DSO, OBE (27 February 1914 – 5 May 1987) was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines. In December 1942, Hasler led a small commando raid in World War II against Axis shipping in Bordeaux. He was responsible for many of the concepts which ultimately led to the post-war formation of the Special Boat Service. After the war he became a notable yachtsman, contributing especially to developments in single-handed sailing.
Hasler was born in Dublin on 27 February 1914, the youngest son of Lieutenant Arthur Thomas Hasler (a Royal Army Medical Corps quartermaster), and his wife, Annie Georgina (née Andrews). His father died after the troopship Transylvania was torpedoed on 4 May 1917. Hasler was sent to Wellington College, where he was a keen sportsman. He was commissioned into the Royal Marines on 1 September 1932.
In 1940, Hasler served as fleet landing officer in Scapa Flow, and was then sent to Narvik in support of the French Foreign Legion in the Norwegian campaign, for which duties he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), mentioned in despatches, and awarded the French Croix de guerre.
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