British Commanders of World War II

Major-General Robert Urquhart (1901–88)

Robert Elliott ‘Roy’ Urquhart was born in Shepperton-on-Thames on 28 November 1901, the son of a physician. He was educated at St Paul’s School and Sandhurst, and joined the Highland Light Infantry in 1920. Most of his early career was spent in India, either with his battalion or in one of a number of staff positions, and by 1939 he was Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General at Army Headquarters in India.

On the outbreak of war, he pressed for a posting in the UK, and in October 1940, joined the staff of 3rd Division, serving in V Corps under Montgomery (qv). In March 1941, he was posted to the command of 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Also part of Montgomery’s Corps, it seems likely that the corps commander had selected Urquhart for the task of revitalising the battalion. The job was presumably completed to Montgomery’s satisfaction, for in April 1942, Urquhart was posted as GSO1 in 51st (Highland) Division, about to leave for North Africa. The division, led by their charismatic commander Major-General Douglas Wimberley, took part in the campaign to clear the Axis forces out of North Africa. Wimberley led from the front, often from a Forward Tactical Headquarters with the leading battalions, so much of the burden of the day-to-day running of the division fell on Urquhart.

In May 1943, he was promoted to acting brigadier and given command of 231st Brigade Group, at that time stationed in Malta. Sometimes serving with the 51st Division, and sometimes with 1st Canadian Division, the 231st endured some hard fighting in Sicily. Urquhart, taking a leaf from his former divisional commander’s book, led from the front, coolly deploying and encouraging his men, actions that would earn him a DSO. Landing next on the toe of Italy, the formation advanced rapidly in the face of stern opposition until, in September, the decision was taken to break up the 231st. Urquhart was made Brigadier-General Staff in XII Corps in the UK, preparing for the invasion of Europe.

Only three months later, he was moved from that post, and given command of 1st Airborne Division. The man behind the appointment was almost certainly Montgomery, who had been impressed by Urquhart’s command of 231st Brigade Group. He was initially regarded with some suspicion by the senior officers of the division because he was an outsider, untrained in airborne operations. Yet despite a bout of malaria, Urquhart succeeded in gaining the confidence of his men.

The story of the battle of Arnhem is well known. Urquhart’s plans went awry almost from the first. Few radios worked and, cut off from his leading battalions, Urquhart gave in to his instincts, going himself to try to re-establish contact. Laudable in many ways, his adventures behind German lines also put him out of contact with his headquarters for over 24 hours, and he was presumed dead or captured. The communications breakdown, the unexpected presence of SS troops, the poor planning that restricted the support given by 2nd Tactical Air Force, and mistakes in resupply all helped to doom the operation, without even considering the failure of XXX Corps to reach the landing grounds.

After Arnhem, he was appointed CB, and commanded an ad hoc formation, still entitled 1st Airborne Division, which was sent to Norway in 1945. He served in various senior positions in the UK after the war, including Director Territorial Army and Cadet Force, and GOC Lowland District, before his appointment as GOC Malaya in 1950. Throughout his tour of duty, his principal concern was to quell the ongoing Communist insurrection. In 1952, he became GOC British Troops Austria, a post he held until his retirement from the Army in 1955.

Although the operation for which Urquhart is principally remembered was a failure, his conduct during the battle (indeed, in all his battles, both in World War II and in Malaya), his imperturbability and his bravery are unquestioned.