21 Facts About Gerald Lathbury

Gerald Lathbury later became Governor of Gibraltar from 1965 to 1969.

Gerald Lathbury was born in Murree, British India on 14 July 1906 into a military family, his father being Colonel Oscar Lathbury.

Gerald Lathbury was seconded to the Royal West African Frontier Force and Gold Coast Regiment between 1928 and 1932 and, returning to England, attended the Staff College, Camberley between 1937 and 1938.

On 29 February 1940, Gerald Lathbury, promoted to the acting rank of major, was posted to the 48th Infantry Division as a General Staff Officer Grade 2.

In September 1941 Gerald Lathbury's career took a sharp upwards turn as, interested in the British Army's newly created airborne forces, he was made Commanding Officer of the 3rd Parachute Battalion.

Gerald Lathbury took part in the landings in Sicily, his brigade being tasked with the capture of the Primosole Bridge, where he was wounded in the back and both thighs, although he remained in command until reinforcement arrived.

Gerald Lathbury was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for this action.

Gerald Lathbury was still in command of the 1st Parachute Brigade during the Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.

Gerald Lathbury was left in the care of a local Dutch family and became a prisoner of war.

Gerald Lathbury concealed his rank, pretending to be a lance corporal.

Gerald Lathbury later escaped with help of the Dutch resistance by simply walking out of the main doors of the hospital in which he was held.

Gerald Lathbury was portrayed by Donald Douglas in the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.

Gerald Lathbury was unable to do this as the latter had been withdrawn to the south bank of the river that night.

On 9 May 1945 Brigadier Gerald Lathbury arrived in Copenhagen to oversee the surrender of German forces in Denmark as part of Operation Eclipse.

Gerald Lathbury remained with the 1st Para Brigade, which did not see any further action during the war, and in July 1945 returned to his old 3rd Para Brigade as its commander.

Gerald Lathbury was appointed GOC of the 16th Airborne Division in 1948 and then Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley in 1951.

Gerald Lathbury went on to be Commander-in-Chief of East Africa Command in 1955 and, returning to England, Director General of Military Training at the War Office in 1957.

Gerald Lathbury became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command in 1960 and Quartermaster-General to the Forces the following year.

Gerald Lathbury was described as radiating "a serene imperturbability" by Joshua Hassan, who was a Chief Minister of Gibraltar.

Gerald Lathbury's composure was invaluable at the time as the politics meant there was doubts over the status of Gibraltar, with questions being asked at the United Nations.

Gerald Lathbury was an Aide-de-camp general to the Queen from 1962 to 1965 as well as Colonel Commandant of both the 1st Green Jackets and the Parachute Regiment from 1961 to 1965.