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Roy Urquhart

Robert Elliott Urquhart
Urquhart outside his headquarters.jpg
Urquhart standing outside his headquarters during Operation Market Garden, September 1944.
Nickname(s) Roy
Born (1901-11-28)28 November 1901
London, England, United Kingdom
Died 13 December 1988(1988-12-13) (aged 87)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1920–1955
Rank Major-General
Unit Highland Light Infantry
Commands held 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
231st Infantry Brigade
1st Airborne Division
Malaya Command
Battles/wars

Second World War

Malayan Emergency
Awards Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Bronze Lion (Netherlands)
Order of St. Olav (Norway)

Second World War

Major-General Robert Elliott "Roy" Urquhart CB, DSO (28 November 1901–13 December 1988) was a senior officer of the British Army who saw service during the Second World War and Malayan Emergency. He became prominent for his role commanding the 1st Airborne Division which fought in the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.

Roy was born in London, the son of a Scottish dentist. He was educated at St Paul's School, London, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Urquhart was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry in 1920. When stationed in Malta with his battalion, he became a friend of the actor David Niven, who recalled Urquhart in his autobiography The Moon's a Balloon, describing him as "a serious soldier of great charm and warmth" (both were commissioned in Highlands Light Infantry - Urquhart in 1920 and Niven in 1930).

Urquhart was serving in India during the early years of the Second World War. He remained there until 1941, when he was posted to North Africa before an appointment as a staff officer in the 3rd Infantry Division, serving in the United Kingdom. Thereafter, his career accelerated. Between 1941 and 1942 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry until 1943, when he was appointed as a staff officer in the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, which was then stationed in North Africa. For a short time, he commanded the 231st Infantry Brigade Group, which saw action in the Allied invasion of Sicily.


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