Basil Coad

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Basil Aubrey Coad
Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire

Second World War and immediately after, but is best known as the commander of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade during the Korean War
.

After his involvement in Korea, he held a further divisional command, and then a senior administrative position in the army before retiring. In retirement, he continued his connection with the army, serving as

Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire
.

Early life and military career

Coad was born on 27 September 1906 at Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was educated at Felsted School and Royal Military College, Sandhurst.[1] From Sandhurst he was commissioned into the British Army as a second lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment on 4 February 1926.[2] He was soon bound for India to join the 1st Battalion. After a few years' service there he was posted to Shanghai, then one of the treaty ports, in January 1929, promoted to lieutenant on 4 February, and appointed as Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal from December that year.[1][3]

Coad returned to the United Kingdom in 1934 and was appointed adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshires.[1] He served with the battalion in Palestine during the Arab revolt.[4] On 22 January 1937 he was seconded to the 4th Battalion, a Territorial Army (TA) unit, to serve as its adjutant, at the same time he was granted temporary rank as a captain in the TA.[5][6] He was promoted to substantive captain on 18 March 1938.[7]

Second World War

With the outbreak of the

acting major for service as an instructor in the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, he became a temporary major on 1 February 1940.[1][8] In January 1941 he was appointed second-in-command of the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshires. By August 1942 he was an acting lieutenant colonel in command of the Battle School of the 43rd Division, now commanded by Major General Ivor Thomas, in Kent. He was then appointed commanding officer of the 5th Battalion, Dorset Regiment at the beginning of 1943.[1] He was promoted substantive major on 4 February 1943.[9]

The 5th Dorsets participated in Operation Overlord (the Normandy Campaign) as part of the 130th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Division. On 10 July 1944, during the opening of Operation Jupiter, the unit was ordered to capture Chateau de Fontaine, near Fontaine-Étoupefour. They successfully captured the chateau, and were then ordered to take a further objective. Coad personally reconnoitred the route across open country, despite heavy machine gun and mortar fire. The attack was launched and the objective taken, but it could not be held. Coad withdrew his two furthest forward companies and prepared the chateau as a defensive position.[10] As a result of his leadership on this occasion Coad was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 19 October 1944.[11] The citation concluded:

Lt Col COAD throughout the day retained complete control of the situation and by his personal example inspired his battalion to carry out all the tasks allotted them magnificently.[10]

The brigade participated in the continued

Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine, and in September 1944 was involved in the ill-fated Operation Market Garden. On 7 October 1944, Coad was promoted acting brigadier and given command of the 130th Brigade.[12] A year later he was awarded a Bar to his DSO on 11 October 1945 for his leadership in the intervening period, which covered the Western Allied invasion of Germany.[13]
The citation remarked:

Prior to [7 October 1944] the B[riga]de had been "unlucky", several times knocked about, and its only clear cut success had been once before when Brig COAD as a Lt Col, was temporarily in com[man]d. This officer by fearless and indefatigable leadership, has raised the standard of his Bde to a very high level, and has led it through a series of uniformly successful actions, particularly since 1 February 45. [... He] has shown himself to be a fine and determined leader, [...] whose presence in the forward area has so often been an inspiration to all ranks under his command.[12]

After this Coad was promoted war substantive lieutenant colonel (and retained the temporary rank of brigadier). Then, on 28 January 1946 he was given command of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, now part of the

major general.[1][14] He relinquished the command, and reverted to temporary brigadier on 10 March 1946.[15] He returned to 130th Brigade, and then reverted to lieutenant colonel and returned to his own regiment, commanding the 2nd Wiltshires. He was then again made a brigadier and commanded 30th Infantry Brigade, before returning to 2nd Wiltshires again.[1] He was promoted substantive lieutenant colonel on 8 February 1948.[16]

Korean War

After returning to the UK from Germany in August 1948, he was again made a temporary brigadier, and given command of

British Cabinet decided not to send land forces to Korea. British forces were already heavily committed in Malaya in the developing Malayan Emergency, aid had been promised to the French in Vietnam, and there were fears that the escalating tensions could lead to China threatening Hong Kong.[20][21]

However, as July wore on the South Koreans and Americans suffered further reverses, and with the

Minister of Defence, Manny Shinwell who said:[23]

None the less, His Majesty's Government have no desire to escape their obligation to play their full part as a member of the United Nations in the restoration of order in Korea. It will not be easy for us to make forces available, but I can tell the House that we are today notifying the Secretary-General of the United Nations that we are prepared to send to that theatre, for use under the orders of the United Nations Commander, an effective land reinforcement which will be a self-contained force including infantry, armour, artillery and engineers, together with the administrative backing required to maintain it.

It was initially envisaged that the British contribution would consist of

Leicestershire Regiment, plus some supporting services, was selected to form this force. The Leicesters were left in Hong Kong due to the ongoing concern over China's attitude.[25] The brigade had no artillery, and little transport, Coad was told he would have to rely on US support and supplies, including rations. Compounding the difficulties of organising the move to Korea, most of the men had just been given leave after a hard exercise, and were on their way into Hong Kong City for a Friday night out, and would prove hard to retrieve over the weekend. Both battalions were somewhat under strength, and this problem was exacerbated by a government decision that those under 19 should not serve in combat, volunteers were hurriedly drawn from other units in Hong Kong to try to get the battalions up to establishment.[18]

Pusan Perimeter
August–September 1950

Coad flew into

Taegu on 5 September.[24] The brigade's first casualties came on 6 September, Private Reginald Streeter of the Middlesexes and Captain Neil Buchanan and his batman, Private Tam Taylor, of the Argylls.[18]

With the pressure somewhat relieved following

Eighth United States Army.[18]

On 28 September

British Commonwealth Brigade.[20]

With the status quo ante bellum now restored, the Commander-in-Chief of UN Forces, Douglas MacArthur offered surrender terms, but these were rejected, so the UN forces began their advance into North Korea.[24]

Later career and retirement

He commanded 2nd Division from 1951 to his retirement in 1954.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Maj-Gen B. A. Coad—British role in Korean War". Obituaries. The Times. No. 60587. London. 28 March 1980. col G, p. 18 60587.
  2. ^ "No. 33130". The London Gazette. 5 February 1926. pp. 886–887.
  3. ^ "No. 33468". The London Gazette. 19 February 1929. p. 1194.
  4. ^ "2nd Bn, the Wiltshire Regiment: Service". Archived from the original on 17 January 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2006.
  5. ^ "No. 34364". The London Gazette. 29 January 1937. p. 618.
  6. ^ "No. 34368". The London Gazette. 5 February 1937. p. 793.
  7. ^ "No. 34498". The London Gazette. 1 April 1938. p. 2154.
  8. ^ "War Office Orders—List of Promotions". Official Appointments and Notices. The Times. No. 48603. London. 30 April 1940. col E, p. 4.
  9. ^ "No. 35890". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 February 1943. p. 640.
  10. ^ a b "Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Coad, Basil Aubrey—Distinguished Service Order" (fee usually required to view full pdf of original recommendation). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  11. ^ "No. 36753". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 October 1944. p. 4785.
  12. ^ a b "Bar to Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Coad, Basil Aubrey—Distinguished Service Order" (fee usually required to view full pdf of original recommendation). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  13. ^ "No. 37302". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 October 1945. p. 4998.
  14. ^ "No. 37611". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1946. p. 3013.
  15. ^ "No. 37620". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 June 1946. p. 3161.
  16. ^ "No. 38294". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 May 1948. p. 3058.
  17. ^ "News In Brief". News In Brief. The Times. No. 51408. London. 15 June 1949. col D, p. 4.
  18. ^
    Weider Publications
    . Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  19. ^ "No. 39049". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 October 1950. p. 5295.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Korea and the entry of Britain into the war". Cabinet Papers. The National Archives. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  21. ^ "Cabinet Conclusion 2. Korea. 6 July 50" (PDF). Cabinet Papers. The National Archives. 6 July 1951. p. 121. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  22. ^ "Cabinet Conclusion 3. Korea. 25 July 1950" (PDF). Cabinet Papers. The National Archives. 6 July 1951. p. 175. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  23. ^ "Defence—HC Deb 26 July 1950 vol 478 cc467-645 (column 482)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 26 July 1950. Archived from the original on 3 November 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Korean operations—HC Deb 16 November 1950 vol 480 cc1902-13". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 16 November 1950. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  25. ISBN 0-330-37702-7
    .
  26. ^ "New North Korean Attack Towards Pohang—Advance of Seven Miles". News. The Times. No. 51781. London. 28 August 1950. col A, p. 4.
  27. ^ "First U.N. Troops To Join Americans in Korea—Arrival of British Contingent". News. The Times. No. 51783. London. 30 August 1950. col A, p. 4.
  28. ^ British reinforcements arriving in Korea (Newsreel). Pathé News. 7 September 1950. Event occurs at 0–40 seconds. Canister: 50/72, Film ID: 1486.26, Sort number: 50/072, Tape: *PM1486*. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  29. ^ "No. 39115". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 January 1951. pp. 133–134.
  30. ISBN 978-1-74110-807-1
    .
  31. ^ Army Commands Archived 5 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine

External links

Military offices
Preceded by GOC 2nd Division
1951–1954 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by
??
 Colonel of the Wiltshire Regiment
1953–1959 		Succeeded by
Regiment consolidated to form the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment
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