Robert Hugh Willan

Brigadier Robert Hugh Willan, DSO, MC (6 September 1882 – 4 May 1960) was an officer in the British Army.[1]

Robert Hugh Willan
Born(1882-09-06)6 September 1882
Died4 May 1960(1960-05-04) (aged 77)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1902–38
1939–42
RankBrigadier
Commands held10th Infantry Brigade (1934–38)
1st Divisional Signals (1925–29)
Battles/warsFirst World War
Second World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
RelationsFrank Willan (father)
Frank Willan (son)

Willan was a lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry when he received a commission as second lieutenant in The King's Royal Rifle Corps on 7 May 1902.[2]

He served in the First World War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1916 and the Military Cross (MC).

He was Commander of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 1934–38 and concurrently Aide-de-camp to Kings George V, Edward VIII and George VI.

He married Violet Crabbe, daughter of Brigadier General Eyre Crabbe. They had two sons: Martin Stuart Willan was killed in action during the fall of France in 1940;[3] the other was (Frank) Andrew Willan, RAF officer and Tory local politician.

He died in 1960 and his funeral was held in Salisbury.[4]

References
  1. 'WILLAN, Colonel (Hon. Brig.) Robert Hugh', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2007; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012 ; online edn, Nov 2012 accessed 15 March 2014
  2. "No. 27431". The London Gazette. 6 May 1902. p. 3015.
  3. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2214736/WILLAN,%20MARTIN%20STUART
  4. Deaths. The Times (London), Monday, May 09, 1960; pg. 14; Issue 54766. (472 words)
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