John Woollett
John Woollett | |
---|---|
Born | 5 November 1915 Major-General |
Service number | 66051 |
Unit | Royal Engineers |
Commands held | 16 Field Squadron (1942–1945) 51 Port Squadron (c. 1950–1952) 28 Field Engineer Regiment (1954–1956) Transportation Training Centre (1964–1965) |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1958) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1955) Military Cross (1945) |
After the war Woollett attended the
Early life and career
John Castle Woollett was born in Streatham, County of London, on 5 November 1915. He attended the Roman Catholic St Benedict's School, Ealing, before entering the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, as a gentleman cadet.[1] Woollett was commissioned from the academy as a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 29 August 1935.[2] He afterwards read mechanical sciences at St John's College, Cambridge, and while there rowed at the Henley Royal Regatta.[1] Woollett graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1938 and on 29 August of that year was promoted to lieutenant.[3][4]
Second World War
Woollett was deployed to France with the
In 1942 Woollett was given command of 16 Field Squadron. The following year the unit converted to 16 Assault Squadron, part of the 42nd Assault Regiment in the 79th Armoured Division.[1] Woollett was promoted to captain on 29 August 1943 and would lead 16 Assault Brigade throughout the North-West Europe campaign of 1944–45.[1][5] Woollett and his unit assisted in the capture of Le Havre in September 1944 and the clearing of the Scheldt Estuary in October/November.[3] During the advance on the Rhine in early 1945 he played a key role in developing heavy rafting equipment and techniques for crossing stretches of water. Woollett was commended for his handling of vehicles and supplies during the March 1945 crossing of the Rhine.[1]
Woollett and his unit took part in Operation Forrard On, the British advance on Bremen. During the advance to Haselünne, and whilst under German artillery and mortar fire, he constructed a bridge across a watercourse that was preventing his brigade from advancing. Woollett played a key role in overcoming the German resistance at Cloppenburg. German troops were holed up in buildings in the town and British infantry were unable to approach. Woollett led his specialist Churchill armoured vehicles, equipped with demolition mortars and dozer blades, into the town through panzerfaust and small arms fire. His men were able to destroy many of the German strongholds, allowing the infantry to advance and capture the town.[1] On 11 October 1945 he was awarded the Military Cross for his good work during the campaign.[6][1]
Post-war
After the war Woollett attended the
Woollett returned to England to command 51 Port Squadron and afterwards served as an instructor at the Staff College in Camberley.
In 1956 Woollett was appointed chief engineer, with the temporary rank of Colonel, for the
Senior roles
Woollett was promoted to brigadier on 31 August 1964 and appointed commandant of the Transportation Training Centre at Longmoor, Hampshire.[1][14] He commanded the centre during its conversion into the Army School of Transport and transfer from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Corps of Transport in 1965.[3] After the transfer of the school Woollett was placed on the supernumerary list until he was appointed deputy engineer-in-chief to the British Army in 1966.[15][1] On 7 September 1967 he was appointed chief engineer to the British Army of the Rhine, initially with the acting rank of major-general, but on 30 October he was promoted to the substantive rank.[16][17] Woollett left the position on 9 September 1970 and retired from the army on 3 December.[18][19]
In retirement Woollett worked as a principal planning inspector for the
Woollett's second wife died on 15 August 2003, and he himself died on 30 May 2007.[22][3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Maj-Gen John Woollett". Daily Telegraph. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "No. 34194". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 August 1935. p. 5533.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Major General John Woollett". The Times. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "No. 34546". The London Gazette. 30 August 1938. p. 5549.
- ^ "No. 36153". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 August 1943. p. 3873.
- ^ "No. 37302". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 October 1945. p. 4999.
- ^ "No. 38392". The London Gazette. 27 August 1948. p. 4766.
- ISBN 978-0-903530-26-2.
- ^ "No. 40502". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1955. p. 3309.
- ^ "No. 40657". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 December 1955. p. 7135.
- ^ "No. 40950". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 December 1956. p. 7151.
- ^ a b "No. 41268". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1957. p. 6.
- ^ "No. 41892". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 December 1959. p. 7925.
- ^ "No. 43489". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 November 1964. p. 9805.
- ^ "No. 43843". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 December 1965. p. 11981.
- ^ "No. 44405". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 September 1967. p. 9892.
- ^ "No. 44440". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 October 1967. p. 11789.
- ^ "No. 45191". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 1970. p. 10101.
- ^ "No. 45245". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 December 1970. p. 13397.
- ^ "No. 47499". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 March 1978. p. 3781.
- ^ Sandes, A. H. W. (June 1981). "The Royal Engineers Historical Society" (PDF). The Royal Engineers Journal. 95 (2): 120.
- ^ "Helen WOOLLETT". London Gazette. Retrieved 23 July 2021.