Michael Dauncey
Brigadier Michael Donald Keen Dauncey, DSO, DL (9 May 1920 – 23 August 2017) was a British Army officer who participated in Operation Market Garden during the Second World War.[2]
Michael Dauncey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 May 1920 Coventry, West Midlands, England[1] |
| Died | 23 August 2017 (aged 97) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1985 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | 184738 |
| Unit | Cheshire Regiment Glider Pilot Regiment |
| Commands held | 126th Infantry Brigade 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order |
Military career
Michael Donald Keen Dauncy was born in Coventry in the West Midlands on 11 May 1920, the only son of Thomas Gough Dauncey and his wife, Alice Keen.[1] He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham.
Market Garden
On the first day of the operation, 17 September 1944, Dauncey flew a Horsa glider into Arnhem. Several days of fighting ensued, during which he sustained eye injuries. Despite being blinded in one eye, he fought on, but was taken prisoner. With another officer he escaped from a Dutch hospital on a rope of knotted sheets and hid in the Utrecht English Parsonage for four months.[3] He was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery shown during this battle.[4]
Later life
After a number of appointments he was made Colonel of the Cheshire Regiment in 1978.
In retirement he lived in Uley, Gloucestershire, with his wife Marjorie (née Neep).[5] He died on 23 August 2017 aged 97.[6]
References
- "1st British Airborne Division officer histories". Unit Histories. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- Roll Call BRIGADIER MICHAEL D K DAUNCEY, DSO DL
- "Biographical Notes of Brig Mike Dauncey". Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- Account of Operation Market garden
- Mike Dauncey's 90th birthday celebrations
- BRIGADIER MIKE DAUNCEY Obituary