George William Symes
| George William Symes | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
12 January 1896 Minterne Magna, Dorset, England |
| Died | 26 August 1980 (aged 84) Adelaide, South Australia |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1915–49 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit |
Durham Light Infantry Machine Gun Corps York and Lancaster Regiment |
| Commands held |
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division 70th Infantry Division 8th Infantry Brigade 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Military Cross & Bar Mentioned in despatches |
| Other work | Private secretary to the Governor of South Australia |
Major General George William Symes, CB, MC & Bar (12 January 1896 – 26 August 1980) was a senior British Army officer who served in the First World War, in which he was twice awarded the Military Cross. During the Second World War he commanded the 70th Infantry Division in India, and was deputy commander of the Special Force, commonly known as the Chindits, in Burma. He was Deputy Commander of the lines of communication of the 21st Army Group from May to November 1944, and then commanded the lines of communication in South East Asia Command (SEAC). In June 1945, he became General Officer Commanding (GOC) in Southern Burma.
In 1949, he retired from the British Army and emigrated to Australia, where he became one of the first directors of Santos from its initial incorporation in Adelaide on 18 March 1954 until he retired in 1978. He was private secretary to two South Australian Governors, Sir Robert George and Sir Edric Bastyan.
George William Symes was born in Minterne Magna, Dorset, on 12 January 1896, the son of George Symes, a sergeant major in the Royal Artillery, and his wife Eliza née Paulley. He attended Bridport Secondary School.
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