30 Facts About Bernard Paget

Bernard Paget was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Oxfordshire Light Infantry on 13 November 1907, which became the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1908.

Bernard Paget was posted on 15 December 1907 to the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry at Tidworth, Wiltshire.

Bernard Paget was promoted to captain on 10 June 1915.

Bernard Paget left the battalion to become the 42nd Brigade's brigade major on 20 November 1915.

Bernard Paget was awarded the Military Cross in November 1915, and the Distinguished Service Order in January 1918.

Bernard Paget was mentioned in despatches four times, and wounded five times during the war, including in the left arm of which he never regained full use.

Bernard Paget was promoted to colonel that year, and became Commander of the depot at Cowley Barracks, Oxford in 1930.

Bernard Paget initiated the founding of the regimental Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford in 1930.

Bernard Paget was promoted to major general in December 1937, and was Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley between 1938 and 1939.

In late November 1939, nearly three months after the outbreak of the Second World War, Bernard Paget took over as General Officer Commanding of the 18th Infantry Division, a recently raised Territorial Army formation, relinquishing command in mid-May 1940.

Bernard Paget was promoted to lieutenant general and made General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South-Eastern Command in February 1941.

Bernard Paget was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the New Year's Honours' List at the end of the year.

Bernard Paget took up his position on Christmas Day while the Malayan campaign was being fought by British and Commonwealth forces against the Japanese and, had it not been for a twist of fate, Bernard Paget would have found himself there.

Bernard Paget was promoted to the acting rank of general on the same date; this was made permanent in July 1943.

Bernard Paget commanded the 21st Army Group in the United Kingdom from June to December 1943 prior to General Montgomery taking over.

Bernard Paget was appointed as Extra Aide-de-Camp to King George VI in October 1944.

Bernard Paget had been the longest serving Commander-in-Chief during the Second World War, and became the senior General in the British Army.

Bernard Paget's final act of World War II took place between May and July 1945 during the Levant Crisis: Paget under orders from Prime Minister Winston Churchill invaded Syria from Transjordan to curb French actions there, which he achieved at no cost.

Bernard Paget's forces escorted French troops to their barracks and the violence ceased.

Bernard Paget took his last salute from his regiment as Colonel Commandant at the parade to commemorate the bicentenary of the 52nd on 14 October 1955 at Osnabruck, West Germany.

Bernard Paget was Colonel of the Intelligence Corps and Colonel of the Reconnaissance Regiment.

Bernard Paget was Principal of Ashridge College of Citizenship from 1946 to 1949.

Bernard Paget was a Governor of Radley College, Eastbourne College, St Edwards and Welbeck College.

Bernard Paget was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1949 to 1956.

Bernard Paget was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire in 1960.

Bernard Paget was installed as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath at a service in Westminster Abbey on 27 October 1960 and his Banner was hung in the Henry VII Chapel.

Bernard Paget died soon afterwards of a heart attack on 16 February 1961, at the age of 73.

Bernard Paget married Winifred Nora Paget on 7 February 1918, with whom he had two sons.

Bernard Paget received the Distinguished Service Order for his gallantry during the battle.

Sir Bernard Paget Avenue, built on the former Templer Barracks army site in Ashford, Kent, is named after him.