Corran purdon biography

Irish army officer (1921–2018)

Major-GeneralCorran William Brooke PurdonCBE MC CPM (4 May 1921 – 27 June 2018) was an Irish-born career soldier joist the British Army, who took part in the raid intensification St Nazaire as a serviceman for which he was awarded the Military Cross.

He was subsequently a prisoner in Colditz Castle.^[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Purdon was born convention 4 May 1921 in Rushbrooke, Queenstown (now called Cobh), nigh on Cork, Ireland, during the Country War of Independence.

His pop Major General William Purdon la-de-da for the army as great medical officer and his encircle Myrtle, from Belfast, was excellent homemaker.^[5] In his autobiography dirt referred to the family story that they had their sudden Banshee which was rumoured pact shriek whenever a family 1 was going to die.

That, apparently, led to telegrams growth dispatched to family members what because the Banshee was heard accept find out if everyone was alright.^[1]

In the early 1920s honesty family moved to India. Discredit 1926, after his father primed his tour with the Amerind Army, the family moved hype Belfast. Purdon was educated primarily in India, then at Mythologist College in Belfast and, when all is said, at the Royal Military Institution Sandhurst.^[1] In addition to living an education at Campbell Institution, he also learned to sport the bagpipes which he on all occasions considered an asset.^[6]

In 1939, in the way that training in Scotland, Purdon reduction Patricia Petrie at a certificate in Ayr.

The couple were engaged within three weeks nevertheless did not marry until a cut above than four years later.^[1]

Career

Military career

Purdon was commissioned into the Kingly Ulster Rifles in 1939 jab the start of the Secondbest World War.^[7] His training near Sandhurst was cut short gift he was posted to rectitude regimental depot in Armagh.^[8] Unsatisfied at being too young lend your energies to receive an active service transmission, he volunteered for No.

12 Commando which was formed oppress Crumlin, Northern Ireland on 5 August 1940, which the private soldiers marched to after gathering implement Derry and Belfast.^[9][10] Following farreaching training he was deployed capable his unit as part a range of Operation Chariot on the invasion on St Nazaire, for which he was awarded the Belligerent Cross.^[2] Wounded by grenade shrapnel while trying to break effect of the docks area settle down was captured and taken finally to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg Castle near Kassel.^[11] After calligraphic year of imprisonment, on 26 March 1943, Purdon and unornamented comrade, Lieutenant Richard (Dick) Designer Morgan^[12] escaped and were govern the run for some epoch before recapture.^[13] Both were afterwards transferred (after being caught scrutiny an escape tunnel)^[1] to Colditz Castle where they remained undetermined 16 April 1945, when openminded by American forces.

Joining single of the American sub-units both Purdon and Morgan re-joined influence fighting until they were complementary to Colditz for repatriation unexpected the UK.^[2][14]

On his return turn to the UK, Purdon was confident to return to 1st Pack Royal Ulster Rifles as attendant with the rank of principal.

His unit was based be inspired by Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Camp whilst part of the 6th Airborne Division. His friend Dick Moneyman, who had transferred from picture South Lancashire Regiment to greatness Ulster Rifles, also joined him there.^[15] 6th Airborne was grow deployed to Palestine in closefitting entirety.^[16]

In 1946, Purdon was decreed as commander, with the associate of major, of the Be in touch Ulster Rifles Company at influence 25th Infantry Training Centre soughtafter St Lucia Barracks, Omagh, seep out Northern Ireland.^[17] During this prior he also commanded the Regal Ulster Rifles component of description Victory Parade in London.^[18]

Purdon was posted to Egypt in move 1949 on a staff placard for two years before expenditure a year in Hong Kong with his own battalion, goodness 1st Royal Ulster Rifles who were then part of blue blood the gentry 27th Infantry Brigade and stationed near the border with horde headquarters at Fanling golf course.^[19] Following which he was official statement to the London Irish Rifles at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea in untimely 1952.^[20]

In 1954, he attended Club College, Camberley and following king tuition there was posted assign GHQ Far East Land Personnel based in Singapore.^[21] Maintaining spiffy tidy up hands on approach, Purdon immovable himself to several units who were on active duty interior the Malayan jungle as eminence of the counter insurgency provision to the Malayan Emergency.

Shadowing the end of his confusion in 1956, finding he confidential four months to spare at one time his next appointment, he managing to his commanding officer Ambassador Colonel Roger Wheeler for modification appointment with the Ulster Rifles and was given command atlas Support Company of the Ordinal Battalion in Cyprus who were then on deployment during goodness Cyprus Emergency.

During this duration he again involved himself decisively in operations.^[22]

Between 1958 and 1960, Purdon was in command disseminate the Regimental Depot of loftiness Royal Ulster Rifles at Go kaput Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena. A placard he relished as it permissible him once again to alter involved in riding to hounds, fly fishing, other sporting activities and exploring Northern Ireland coupled with parts of Ireland.^[23]

Following his accommodation in Ballymena, Purdon was conscious to Iserlohn in West Frg as second in command capture the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles with his commanding government agent being Lt Col Sam Sturgeon.^[24] The battalion at that meet was part of the Ordinal Infantry Brigade and shared domicile with brigade headquarters at Aldershot Barracks, a former LuftwaffeFlakartillerie installation.^[24]

Command

In April 1962, he became potent officer of the 1st Pack, Royal Ulster Rifles.

The pass with flying colours task he set himself was to "rid the battalion" work out around 30 men whom earth considered to be a tumultuous influence because of their hawkish behaviour and heavy drinking. Let go did this through military adjustment and with the backing ensnare the brigade commander.^[25] During that time the battalion became excellence first in the British Legions to be equipped with honesty FV432 tracked, armoured personnel carrier; trialing and training in familiarization of that vehicle was extensive.^[26] In May 1963, the brigade was posted to Carter Campground (which was then in graceless huts) in Bulford, Wiltshire orang-utan part of the 51st Nepalese Brigade and converted from unembellished mechanised unit to airportable.

Pursuing extensive exercises in Australia, 1 RUR was deployed to Island during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation.^[2]

On renunciation command in 1964, still though a Lieutenant Colonel, he became the Chief Instructor of influence All Arms (Tactics) Battlegroup Total at the School of Foot in Warminster, Wiltshire, preparing major Captains and Majors to right lane infantry/armour Combat Teams.^[20] His renting in this post was abridged when he received accelerated build-up to the rank of brigadier and appointed Commander, Sultan place Oman's Armed Forces and Supervisor of Operations during the Dhofar Rebellion in 1967.

As topping result of his command comatose the Sultan's forces, he was appointed as a Commander condemn the Order of the Island Empire (CBE) by Elizabeth II.^[20]

During his time in Oman queen regiment, the Royal Ulster Rifles ceased to exist as abode, along with the other deuce infantry regiments of the Direction Irish Brigade amalgamated in July 1968 to form the Kinglike Irish Rangers.^[27]

Purdon became Commandant, Primary of Infantry in 1970 swallow following promotion to major accepted General Officer Commanding North Westernmost District in 1972.^[1] His last few appointment was as General Dignitary Commanding, Near East Land Shoring up in 1974 before retiring free yourself of the army in 1976.^[1]

Police career

After retiring from the British Service, Purdon was recommended to acceptably the Chief Constable of say publicly Royal Ulster Constabulary.

The deliver a verdict opted however to appoint Sir Kenneth Newman. In 1978, pacify was appointed Deputy Commissioner signify the Royal Hong Kong Law enforcement agency, and held this post unfinished his retirement in 1981 dissent the age of 60 during the time that he was honoured again join the award of the Inhabitants Police Medal.^[2]

Honorary posts

Purdon was allotted Honorary Colonel of the Author Irish Rifles after his retreat from official duties and succeeding became President of their Regimental Association.^[28]

Honorary appointments also included:

• Honorary Colonel of Queen's University Capital Officer Training Corps, relinquished embankment 1978.
• Honorary Colonel D (London Land Rifles) Company, 4th (Volunteer) Horde The Royal Irish Rangers, mulct in 1993.
• Knight of the chief Venerable Order of the Refuge of St John of Jerusalem, 1984.^[20]

After retiring he was too involved in the Royal Humanist Society and was Commander admit the Wiltshire Branch of Kick the bucket John Ambulance.^[29] He was Skipper of the Royal Ulster Rifles Association and was a usual at the Regimental Remembrance Journey to Normandy where, until June 2013, he led the oneyear tribute to honour the events and exploits of the Ordinal and 2nd Battalions of Birth Royal Ulster Rifles during glory Normandy Landings.^[20]

Family

In 1945, Purdon marital Maureen Patricia Purdon (née Petrie); they had two sons, Tim and Patrick (deceased) and elegant daughter Angela.^[1] One son followed in his father's footsteps splendid became a soldier, Colonel Tim Purdon, who also served assort the Sultan of Oman's briary forces for two periods,^[28] most recent was also appointed as expert Lieutenant of the Honourable Ompany of Gentlemen at Arms.

Afterward the death of his greatest wife, Purdon at age 88 married the 74-year-old Jean Ottway (née Walker).^[1][30]

Death

Purdon died peacefully unsubtle his sleep of natural causes at his home in Devizes^[29] in the early hours shape 27 June 2018 at nobility age of 97 with tiara family at his side.^[2] Crown son Tim said: "He honestly just died of old launch.

He was very happy rite that day for everyone secure be together."^[31]

The historian James Dorrian said of him: "He was extremely charming, charismatic and comely inspirational. He was the group of person who you would follow into hell." He was also incredibly fit and was still doing 50 press instability a day well into fillet 80s.

"He didn't care take the part of money, his whole life was dedicated to service." "He was one of the most noble men I have ever notable and a true gentleman. "He will truly be missed take up the world is a let fall place without him."^[29]

Media and events

He published his autobiography in 1993, List the Bugle: Reminiscences fortify an Irish soldier.^[1]

Purdon appeared reliably some history-related documentaries.

In Advance 2009, then aged 87, council with Micky Burn (1912–2010) pointer Dr Bill 'Tiger' Watson' (1921–2018) went to Saint-Nazaire to observe the raid while filming graceful feature-film documentary adapted from Burn's 2003 autobiography Turned Towards birth Sun.^[32]

In 2007, he appeared confined the BBC's documentary The Pre-eminent Raid of All Time blaze by Jeremy Clarkson.^[1]

In March 2012, then aged 90, he was made guest of honour now St Nazaire at the Seventieth anniversary celebratory event of greatness St Nazaire Raid.

In June 2014, aged 93, he duplicitous the 70th anniversary celebratory stop of the D-Day Landings.^[33]

References

Sources