David Willison was married twice: first, in 1941, to Betty Vernon Bates, with whom he had three children ; after Betty's death, he married Trisha Clitherow in 1994.
12 Facts About David Willison
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David Willison was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1939, and in 1942 he was an instructor at the School of Military Engineering.
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On his return to the 3rd Divisional engineers, David Willison took command of 246 Field Company, near Venray in the Netherlands.
4.
In 1963, David Willison was appointed as Colonel MI4 at the War Office with assessments of Middle Eastern issues as his main concern.
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David Willison retired from the army in 1975, but stayed within public service.
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David Willison was immediately appointed as Director-General of Intelligence until retirement in 1978.
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David Willison was a highly capable man with a rapid grasp of complex issues and the ability to express them clearly and simply.
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David Willison had a good memory and wide breadth of knowledge.
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David Willison's abilities showed themselves during the various professional courses he undertook and he either passed out top or impressed as a brilliant student.
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David Willison demanded high standards of those around him and his abrupt manner made uncomfortable to subordinates and superiors alike, but he would be loyal to those who achieved such standards and supportive of those afflicted by tragedy.
11.
Apart from his MC, David Willison was appointed OBE in 1958 and knighted in 1973.
12.
David Willison assumed the honorary roles of Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers and of Chief Royal Engineer and Freeman of the City of London in 1981.