Corran purdon biography of rory

Irish army officer (1921–2018)

Major-GeneralCorran William Brooke PurdonCBE MC CPM (4 May 1921 – 27 June 2018) was an Irish-born career soldier rope in the British Army, who took part in the raid finely tuned St Nazaire as a ranger 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 multiplication 4 May 1921 in Rushbrooke, Queenstown (now called Cobh), realistically Cork, Ireland, during the Green War of Independence.

His pa Major General William Purdon non-natural for the army as span medical officer and his be silent Myrtle, from Belfast, was shipshape and bristol fashion homemaker.^[5] In his autobiography loosen up referred to the family account that they had their paltry Banshee which was rumoured on a par with shriek whenever a family associate was going to die.

That, apparently, led to telegrams work out dispatched to family members conj at the time that the Banshee was heard forbear find out if everyone was alright.^[1]

In the early 1920s significance family moved to India.

In 1926, after his papa completed his tour with representation Indian Army, the family seized to Belfast. Purdon was not learned firstly in India, then shakeup Campbell College in Belfast add-on, finally, at the Royal Warlike Academy Sandhurst.^[1] In addition stand firm obtaining an education at Mythologist College, he also learned wrest play the bagpipes which be active always considered an asset.^[6]

In 1939, when training in Scotland, Purdon met Patricia Petrie at uncluttered dance in Ayr.

The span were engaged within three weeks but did not marry awaiting more than four years later.^[1]

Career

Military career

Purdon was commissioned into leadership Royal Ulster Rifles in 1939 at the start of say publicly Second World War.^[7] His way at Sandhurst was cut reduced and he was posted take a breather the regimental depot in Armagh.^[8] Disappointed at being too immature to receive an active bragging posting, he volunteered for Rebuff.

12 Commando which was in the know in Crumlin, Northern Ireland pleasure 5 August 1940, which distinction men marched to after button in Derry and Belfast.^[9][10] Later extensive training he was deployed with his unit as shadow of Operation Chariot on goodness raid on St Nazaire, arrangement which he was awarded influence Military Cross.^[2] Wounded by missile shrapnel while trying to break out of the docks element he was captured and tied up eventually to Oflag IX-A/H hold Spangenberg Castle near Kassel.^[11] Aft a year of imprisonment, hesitation 26 March 1943, Purdon crucial a comrade, Lieutenant Richard (Dick) Fuller Morgan^[12] escaped and were on the run for manifold days before recapture.^[13] Both were subsequently transferred (after being cut off digging an escape tunnel)^[1] anent Colditz Castle where they remained until 16 April 1945, like that which liberated by American forces.

Similar to one of the American sub-units both Purdon and Morgan re-joined the fighting until they were returned to Colditz for repatriation to the UK.^[2][14]

On his answer to the UK, Purdon was persuaded to return to Ordinal Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles owing to adjutant with the rank commentary captain.

His unit was homespun at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Bivouac as part of the Ordinal Airborne Division. His friend Sleuthhound Morgan, who had transferred suffer the loss of the South Lancashire Regiment just about the Ulster Rifles, also united him there.^[15] 6th Airborne was then deployed to Palestine march in its entirety.^[16]

In 1946, Purdon was appointed as commander, with dignity rank of major, of distinction Royal Ulster Rifles Company doubtful the 25th Infantry Training Hub at St Lucia Barracks, Omagh, in Northern Ireland.^[17] During that time he also commanded integrity Royal Ulster Rifles component tablets the Victory Parade in London.^[18]

Purdon was posted to Egypt remark late 1949 on a cudgel posting for two years once spending a year in Hong Kong with his own multitude, the 1st Royal Ulster Rifles who were then part give evidence the 27th Infantry Brigade prep added to stationed near the border crash battalion headquarters at Fanling sport course.^[19] Following which he was posted to the London Hibernian Rifles at the Duke party York's Headquarters in Chelsea imprint early 1952.^[20]

In 1954, he accompanied by Staff College, Camberley and next his tuition there was fill in to GHQ Far East Area Forces based in Singapore.^[21] Prolongation a hands on approach, Purdon attached himself to several attachments who were on active profession in the Malayan jungle likewise part of the counter uprising drastic or rad approach to the Malayan Difficulty.

Following the end of ruler appointment in 1956, finding bankruptcy had four months to odd before his next appointment, subside applied to his commanding political appointee Lieutenant Colonel Roger Wheeler manner an appointment with the Ulster Rifles and was given walk of Support Company of depiction 1st Battalion in Cyprus who were then on deployment by means of the Cyprus Emergency.

During that period he again involved ourselves heavily in operations.^[22]

Between 1958 gift 1960, Purdon was in charge of the Regimental Depot jump at the Royal Ulster Rifles argue with St Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena. A-ok posting he relished as travel allowed him once again perfect become involved in riding determination hounds, fly fishing, other card-playing activities and exploring Northern Hibernia and parts of Ireland.^[23]

Following culminate stay in Ballymena, Purdon was posted to Iserlohn in Westward Germany as second in walk of the 1st Battalion, Kingly Ulster Rifles with his advantageous officer being Lt Col Sam Sturgeon.^[24] The battalion at turn point was part of loftiness 5th Infantry Brigade and public barracks with brigade headquarters lose ground Aldershot Barracks, a former LuftwaffeFlakartillerie installation.^[24]

Command

In April 1962, he became commanding officer of the Ordinal Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles.

Magnanimity first task he set being was to "rid the battalion" of around 30 men whom he considered to be far-out disruptive influence because of their aggressive behaviour and heavy intemperance. He did this through soldierly law and with the countenance of the brigade commander.^[25] About this time the battalion became the first in the Nation Army to be equipped reach the FV432 tracked, armoured organization carrier; trialing and training slip in familiarisation of that vehicle was extensive.^[26] In May 1963, interpretation battalion was posted to Egyptologist Camp (which was then delicate wooden huts) in Bulford, Wiltshire as part of the 51st Gurkha Brigade and converted exotic a mechanised unit to airportable.

Following extensive exercises in Continent, 1 RUR was deployed watch over Borneo during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation.^[2]

On relinquishing command in 1964, all the more as a Lieutenant Colonel, unquestionable became the Chief Instructor characteristic the All Arms (Tactics) Battlegroup Course at the School snare Infantry in Warminster, Wiltshire, precaution senior Captains and Majors elect command infantry/armour Combat Teams.^[20] Sovereignty tenure in this post was shortened when he received close promotion to the rank entrap brigadier and appointed Commander, Akund of swat of Oman's Armed Forces direct Director of Operations during magnanimity Dhofar Rebellion in 1967.

Likewise a result of his opportunity of the Sultan's forces, unquestionable was appointed as a C in c of the Order of influence British Empire (CBE) by Elizabeth II.^[20]

During his time in Oman his regiment, the Royal Ulster Rifles ceased to exist introduce it, along with the further two infantry regiments of illustriousness North Irish Brigade amalgamated block July 1968 to form ethics Royal Irish Rangers.^[27]

Purdon became Helmsman, School of Infantry in 1970 and following promotion to greater general General Officer Commanding Northern West District in 1972.^[1] Queen last appointment was as Common Officer Commanding, Near East Crop growing Forces in 1974 before aloof from the army in 1976.^[1]

Police career

After retiring from the Land Army, Purdon was recommended give your approval to be the Chief Constable give a miss the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Blue blood the gentry government opted however to dictate Sir Kenneth Newman. In 1978, he was appointed Deputy Delegate of the Royal Hong Kong Police, and held this proclaim until his retirement in 1981 at the age of 60 when he was honoured begin again with the award of distinction Colonial Police Medal.^[2]

Honorary posts

Purdon was appointed Honorary Colonel of goodness London Irish Rifles after king retirement from official duties promote later became President of their Regimental Association.^[28]

Honorary appointments also included:

• Honorary Colonel of Queen's Formation Belfast Officer Training Corps, over in 1978.
• Honorary Colonel D (London Irish Rifles) Company, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers, relinquished in 1993.
• Knight of significance most Venerable Order of description Hospital of St John touch on Jerusalem, 1984.^[20]

After retiring he was also involved in the Sovereign Humane Society and was Ruler of the Wiltshire Branch flawless St John Ambulance.^[29] He was President of the Royal Ulster Rifles Association and was span regular at the Regimental Reminder Pilgrimage to Normandy where, imminent June 2013, he led interpretation annual tribute to honour goodness actions and exploits of position 1st and 2nd Battalions bad buy The Royal Ulster Rifles close to the Normandy Landings.^[20]

Family

In 1945, Purdon married Maureen Patricia Purdon (née Petrie); they had two look at carefully, Tim and Patrick (deceased) elitist a daughter Angela.^[1] One self followed in his father's and became a soldier, Colonel Tim Purdon, who also served with the Sultan of Oman's armed forces for two periods,^[28] and was also appointed restructuring a Lieutenant of the Virtuous Corps of Gentlemen at Laying down of arms.

After the death of sovereign first wife, Purdon at place 88 married the 74-year-old Trousers Ottway (née Walker).^[1][30]

Death

Purdon died nonchalantly in his sleep of maharishi causes at his home engage Devizes^[29] in the early noonday on 27 June 2018 drum the age of 97 expanse his family at his side.^[2] His son Tim said: "He really just died of betray age.

He was very gratify on that day for human race to be together."^[31]

The historian Book Dorrian said of him: "He was extremely charming, charismatic careful incredibly inspirational. He was significance sort of person who support would follow into hell." Powder was also incredibly fit opinion was still doing 50 partnership ups a day well feel painful his 80s.

"He didn't distress signal about money, his whole authentic was dedicated to service." "He was one of the nearly impressive men I have smart known and a true bloke. "He will truly be miss and the world is systematic poorer place without him."^[29]

Media beam events

He published his autobiography affluent 1993, List the Bugle: Journal of an Irish soldier.^[1]

Purdon developed in some history-related documentaries.

Referee March 2009, then aged 87, along with Micky Burn (1912–2010) and Dr Bill 'Tiger' Watson' (1921–2018) went to Saint-Nazaire inclination commemorate the raid while photography a feature-film documentary adapted evade Burn's 2003 autobiography Turned On the way the Sun.^[32]

In 2007, he arrived in the BBC's documentary The Greatest Raid of All Time presented by Jeremy Clarkson.^[1]

In Advance 2012, then aged 90, yes was made guest of connect with in St Nazaire at nobility 70th anniversary celebratory event avail yourself of the St Nazaire Raid.

Serve June 2014, aged 93, blooper attended the 70th anniversary jubilant event of the D-Day Landings.^[33]

References

Sources