Michael Gambier-Parry

Michael Gambier-Parry
Michael Gambier-Parry (right), Lieutenant-General Philip Neame (centre) and Brigadier John Combe (left), following their capture in North Africa.
Born	21 August 1891
Died	30 April 1976
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1911–1944
Rank	Major-General
Unit	Royal Welch Fusiliers
Commands held	1st Malaya Infantry Brigade 2nd Armoured Division
Awards	Military Cross

Major-General Michael Denman Gambier-Parry MC DL (21 August 1891 – 30 April 1976) was a senior British Army officer who commanded the 2nd Armoured Division during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II.

The Gambier-Parrys of Highnam Court, Gloucestershire were an artistic and military family (see Thomas Gambier Parry and the latter's son, eminent composer Sir Hubert Parry). His uncle Ernest Gambier-Parry was a major in the army sent to Egypt to avenge the death of General Gordon, and wrote a book (Suakin, 1885) about his experiences. Michael's father was architect Sidney Gambier-Parry.

Gambier-Parry was commissioned, a Captain into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1911. He served in World War I in France (awarded the Military Cross) and in the Gallipoli Campaign and then in Mesopotamia. He transferred to the Royal Tank Corps in 1924 and then served as a General Staff Officer at the War Office before becoming Commander of the Malaya Infantry Brigade in 1938.

He served in World War II as Head of the British Military Mission to Greece in 1940 and then as General Officer Commanding 2nd Armoured Division in North Africa before becoming a Prisoner of war in 1941.