Ronald Urquhart Explained

Ronald Urquhart
Birth Date:26 March 1906
Death Date:19 April 1968 (aged 62)
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Serviceyears:1925–1960
Servicenumber:34932
Rank:Major General
Unit:Royal Engineers
Battles:Second World War
Awards:Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order

Major General Ronald Walton Urquhart CB DSO (26 March 1906 – 19 April 1968) was a British Army officer who became Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Early life

Urquhart was the son of W. L. A. W. Urquhart, Esq, of Montevideo, Uruguay. He was educated at Bedford School and at Pembroke College, Cambridge.[1] He then attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, earning the rank of Senior Under Officer. He was also awarded the Sword of Honour. He finished his young officer coursework at Chatham and at Pembroke College.

Military career

He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1925.[2] In the Second World War he served in Norway and North West Europe,[2] being awarded the DSO for his services in Normandy. After the War he became Director of Combined Operations and then, from 1953, Commander of 35th Infantry Brigade.[2]

He went on to be Chief of Staff at Western Command in 1956 and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst between 1957 and 1960.

Personal life

He married Jean Moir in 1945 and had children David and Jane. He died on 19 April 1968.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Urquhart, Major-General Ronald Walton, (26 March 1906–19 April 1968), DL; retired; Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers, since 1964 . 2022-08-19 . WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO . en.
  2. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/URQUHART.shtml Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
  3. Web site: Major-General R. W. Urquhart CB DSO DL. 68. The Royal Engineers Journal. 82. 1 September 1968.