David Lloyd Owen
David Lloyd Owen | |
---|---|
Born | Arab revolt in Palestine World War II | 10 October 1917
Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Mentioned in despatches (2) |
Early life and military career
Born in
World War II
He took part in a number of operations, including the SAS raid on Tobruk in August/September 1942, which earned him the Military Cross. He was wounded in an air raid on the LRDG base at Kufra in October 1942 and nearly lost an arm. He rejoined the LRDG in February 1943, when they underwent training in Lebanon before being sent to the Aegean.
He took command of the LRDG at the end of 1943 after the death of his predecessor
Despite being in continual pain, Lloyd Owen directed special forces operations in the mountains for the next three months. Eventually he was evacuated to Italy, was successfully operated on, and told not to return to his former activities. He managed to bluff his way past a medical board and returned to Albania, although this time by boat. The LRDG was eventually disbanded in June 1945. For his leadership in the Balkans, Lloyd Owen was awarded the Distinguished Service Order that year.
Post-War
After the war, he had various appointments in Britain, including a period on the staff at
He wrote two books about his experiences – The Desert My Dwelling Place published by
Personal life
He married his wife Ursula Barclay (known as Ursie) and had three sons; Michael, Piers and Christopher.
References
- ^ Condell, Diana (16 April 2001). "David Lloyd Owen". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "No. 34477". The London Gazette. 28 January 1938. p. 588.
- ^ "Major-General David Lloyd Owen". The Daily Telegraph. London. 7 April 2001. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ "Army Obituaries: Michael Parsons". Daily Telegraph. 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
Bibliography
- Maclean, Fitzroy. Eastern Approaches. Jonathan Cape Ltd.
- Kennedy Shaw, Bill. Long Range Desert Group. Collins.
External links
- British Army Officers 1939−1945
- LRDG website info on David Lloyd Owen taken from his Daily Telegraph obituary
- Lloyd Owen, David Lanyon (Oral history) - 1987 interview by Imperial War Museum