British/Indian Army officers, 1936-37

[James Clark]

I am trying to find out some information about the following officers who held the given ranks in 1936-37:

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Rose Compton Gannon. (Later Brigadier, born 1 November 1882 - died 25 April 1980.)

General W.H. Anderson.

(A Brigadier W.H. Anderson, CBE, was Director of Remounts, Army Headquarters, India, in 1929.)

General C.C. Lucas

(A Major-General C. Lucas is listed as commanding the British Army's 4th Division from 15 October 1918.)

Colonel Bruce Turnbull - Indian Army, C.B.S. D.L.M (4 Nov 1880 - 1952).

This is all I have been able to find out from the National Archive catalogue and internet searches. I am particularly interested in their posts/activities in 1936-37 and especially whether any of them had sporting or diplomatic connections.

Any additional information or sources would be gratefully received.

Thanks!

[Ed_Haynes]

If these were Indian Army officers (rather than British Army), personnel records should reside in the Indian Office Records, now Thatcherised into the British Library (and, therefore, hard to use). The Indian Army Lists -- many of which I have -- won't help in answering your questions, sorry.

[Guest Rick Research]

British edition of "Who's Who?" 1935:

GANNON: M.V.O. 1922, late commandant Sam Brown'es Cavalry, Indian Army. Secretary and manager, The Hurlingham Club. M'd Dorothy Robertson of Melbourne, 1910: 1 dtr. Educ: Sutton Valence, RMC Sandhurst. South Staffordshires 1902-06, 22nd Cavalry 1906, European war 1914-18, Afghanistan 1919, Mahsud and Waziristan expeditions 1919-20 (M.I.D.). Personal military secretary to late General Lord Rawlinson 1920-25. Retired 1933. Recreations: polo, pigsticking, cricket, shooting. Cavalry Club. Address: Hurlingham Club, Fulham SW 6.

ANDERSON, William Henniker. Brigadier Indian Army retired. C.B.E. 1925. B 17 April 1880, Norfold Rgt 1899, 33rd Q.V.O. Light Cavalry I.A. 1903, European War 1914-18 Army HQ India and Mesopotamia (M.I.D. x3), Iraq 1920. Assistant Director Remounts 1914, Deputy Director and Director Remounts 1918-20 M.E. Force, Dep Director Remounts AHQ India 1922-26, Director Remounts AHQ India 1926-30. Since 1930 Remount Purchasing Officer to Government of India in England. Recreations: polo, hunting, racing. Cavalry Club. No home address.

LUCAS, Cuthbert Henry Tindall. B. 1 March 1879. M. 1917 Joan Holdsworth: 2 s, 1 dtr. Educ: Marlborough, Sandhurst. 2nd Bn Royal Berks Rgt 1898. S. African War, Egyptian army and civil service 1905-09. Staff College 1913. European War 1st Bn Berkshire Rgt and on staff 1914-18. Brevet Colonel 1919. D.S.O. 1917, C.M.G. 1918, C.B. 1921. Reired 1932. D.L., J.P. Hertfordshire. Army and Navy Club. Address: Northwood, Stevenage, Herts. Not that Lucas, obviously.

No entry for Turnbull.

[Ed_Haynes]

Shabash! Not having much experience in researching natives (of the British Isles), I just never think of sources like that.

[James Clark]

Thanks very much for your help. Unfortunately I didn't have access to a Who's Who pre 1951 and the source I'm working from isn't specific enough for me to say whether they were British or Indian Army, or indeed whether they were serving or retired. Mind you, it's not entirely accurate either - amongst other things it gives Gannon as "Colonel Cannon"!!

Regards,

James

[Steen Ammentorp]

Hi,

Here is what I got Colonel Bruce Turnbull, C.B.E. Born 4th November 1880. Date of 1st Commission 28th July 1900. Date of Rank (Colonel) 3rd June 1923. Date of Retirement 20th June 1926. Source: Non-Effective List 1941: in War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army (Savannah, 2003). A reprint of the 1941 Indian Army List.

From what I have been able to dig out of the London Gazette online archive he served with the 23rd Sikh Pioneers, I.A. and became a Brigade Major on 8th September 1915 (Gazetted 17th September 1915), relinquished on 11th February 1916 (Gazetted 1st March 1916). Brigade Major again 14th August 1916 (Gazetted 9th September 1916). Mentioned as a recipient of the Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class (With Swords) (Gazetted 15th February 1917). To be Lieutenant-Colonel while commanding a battalion from 12th July 1917 (Gazetted 1st January 1918), seems to be 2/34th Pioneers, I.A. as he is made a brevet Lieutenant-Colonel while in command of this 12th September 1919 (Gazetted 9th September 1919). It seems that following his retirement from I.A. in 1926 he was transferred to the Territorial Army, as this entry in the Gazette of 9th November 1937 suggest:

Col. B. Turnbull, C.B.E. (Col. Ret. Ind. Army), having attained the age of limit retires and retains his rank, whit permission to wear the prescribed uniform. 4th Nov. 1937

Then he was granted an emergency rank of 2nd Lieutenant on 3rd September 1939 (Gazetted 5th September 1939). He seized to belong to the reserve of the Indian Army on 4th November 1940 having reached the age limit (Gazetted 20th December 1940). Mentioned as a recipient of the Efficiency Medal (Gazetted 1st July 1947).

From the Army List 1914 I see that he was made a Captain on 28th July 1909. However I can't find him on the 1930 Army List.

Before I did this I had tried my old Who Was Who 1896-1995 CD-Rom, which only runs on Win98 or earlier versions, but I simply couldn't get my old laptop started. But I thought I better try it again before posting and somehow I got it started, so here is his entry:

name Turnbull, Col Bruce

Awards CBE 1937; TD 1950; DL Edinburgh.

Positions IA (retd); psc.

Education Merchiston Castle School; Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

work Joined Indian army, 1900, 23 Sikh Pioneers; Served in NWF, Waziristan, 1901-1902 (Medaland clasp); Tibet, 1903-1904 (Medal and clasp); NWF Zakha Khel, 1908 (Medal and clasp); European War, 1914-1918 (despatches, brevet Lt-Colonel); NWF, Afghanistan, 1919 (clasp); Staff College, Camberley, 1921; Colonel, 1923; Inspector of Physical Training (India), 1922-1926; Commanded (East Scottish) Infantry Bde (TA), 1932-1936; Member Edinburgh Education Authority, 1928-1930; President Scottish Hockey Assoc., 1935-1937; Member Edinburgh Town Council since 1938; Baille 1944-1947; Senior Baille, 1947; Senior Military Liaison Officer, Scottish Region, 1939-1941; Deputy Commissioner, SE District, Scottish Region, 1941-1944; White Eagle (Serbia).

Recreations Golf, gardening, philately, etc.

Addresses 13 Albert Terrace, Edinburgh. Telephone: 51447

Clubs Junior United Service, New (Edinburgh)

Death Died 21st January 1952.

Kind Regards

Steen Ammentorp

The Generals of World War II

Edited September 17, 2006 by Steen Ammentorp

[Steen Ammentorp]

Btw. I think Lucas is this one (Again from Who Was Who 1896-1995):

Name LUCAS, Brig.-Gen. Cecil Courtenay

Awards CBE 1945; MC 1914.

Personal Details Born 17 October 1883; son of late Henry Frank Egbert Lucas, Lt-Col 3rd Dragoon

Guards; married Amelia Meliora, youngest daughter of John Adlercron, Moyglare, Co. Meath.

Education The Dragon School, Oxford; Blundells; RMA, Woolwich.

Work RFA 1902; RHA 1910; Capt. 1914; Bt Major, 1916; Bt Lt-Col 1917; served European War, 1914?1918 (MC, despatches); retired 1926; Inspector of Remounts, 1926?1937; entered Home Office, 1938; Asst Sec., 1952. Legion of Honour, Crown of Italy, Anne of Russia.

Recreations Hunting, shooting, cricket, football, etc.

Addresses Well House, nr Eversley, Hants. Telephone: 2151.

Clubs Union.

Death Died 18 January 1957.

I see that I missed the personal details on Turnball. Sadly the old laptop went down again put if you need them I will kick it back to life.

Kind Regards

Steen Ammentorp

The Generals of World War II

Edited September 16, 2006 by Steen Ammentorp

[James Clark]

Dear Steen

Thanks for this additional information - all very useful.

Regards,

James