John MacDonell (British Army officer)
Colonel John Ronald MacDonell, DSO* (4 March 1899 – 5 September 1944) was a British Army officer who served as acting General Officer Commanding 1st Armoured Division during the Second World War.
John Ronald MacDonell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 March 1899 |
| Died | 5 September 1944 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & Bar |
Military career
MacDonell was commissioned into the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers on 21 February 1920.[1] He was appointed adjutant of the Shropshire Yeomanry on 11 November 1928.[2] During the Second World War, he commanded his regiment during the First Battle of Ruweisat Ridge in North Africa in July 1942.[3] He briefly served as acting General Officer Commanding 1st Armoured Division in North Africa from 19 March 1944 to 24 March 1944.[4] He was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and was awarded a bar to his DSO on 3 September 1944, two days before his death in action in Italy on 5 September 1944.[5]
Family
He was married to Eldred Mary MacDonell.[6]
References
- Army List 1922
- "No. 33442". The London Gazette. 27 November 1928. p. 7777.
- Barr, Niall (2005). Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein. Pimlico. p. 92. ISBN 978-0712668279.
- Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.. pp. 13–15
- "No. 37340". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 September 1944. p. 5432.
- "Glencorse: 9th Queen's Royal Lancers War Memorial". Roll of Honour. Retrieved 5 February 2022.