1. Basil Coad held battalion, brigade and divisional commands during the Second World War and immediately after, but is best known as the commander of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade during the Korean War.
17 Facts About Basil Coad
1. 2.
Basil Coad was educated at Felsted School and Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
3.
Basil Coad was bound for India to join the 1st Battalion.
4.
Basil Coad returned to the United Kingdom in 1934 and was appointed adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshires.
5.
Basil Coad served with the battalion in Palestine during the Arab revolt.
6.
Basil Coad was promoted to substantive captain on 18 March 1938.
7.
Basil Coad was then appointed commanding officer of the 5th Battalion, Dorset Regiment at the beginning of 1943.
8.
Basil Coad was promoted substantive major on 4 February 1943.
9.
Basil Coad personally reconnoitred the route across open country, despite heavy machine gun and mortar fire.
10.
Basil Coad withdrew his two furthest forward companies and prepared the chateau as a defensive position.
11.
On 7 October 1944, Basil Coad was promoted acting brigadier and given command of the 130th Brigade.
12.
Basil Coad relinquished the command, and reverted to temporary brigadier on 10 March 1946.
13.
Basil Coad returned to 130th Brigade, and then reverted to lieutenant colonel and returned to his own regiment, commanding the 2nd Wiltshires.
14.
Basil Coad was then again made a brigadier and commanded 30th Infantry Brigade, before returning to 2nd Wiltshires again.
15.
Basil Coad was promoted substantive lieutenant colonel on 8 February 1948.
16.
The brigade had no artillery, and little transport, Basil Coad was told he would have to rely on US support and supplies, including rations.
17.
Basil Coad commanded 2nd Division from 1951 to his retirement in 1954.