16 Facts About Richard Gambier-Parry

Brigadier Sir Richard Gambier-Parry, was a British military officer who served in both the army and the air force during World War I He remained in military service post-war, but then entered into civilian life for more than a decade.

Richard Gambier-Parry, son of architect Sidney Gambier-Parry and his wife Grace nee Denman, was born on 20 January 1894 at Highnam Court, Highnam, Gloucestershire, England.

Richard Gambier-Parry was the grandson of artist, art collector, and philanthropist Thomas Gambier-Parry.

Richard Gambier-Parry's brother was Major General Michael Denman Gambier-Parry.

Richard Gambier-Parry was appointed to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 9 August 1914, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant on 15 August 1914.

Richard Gambier-Parry was promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant on 20 March 1916, which was later antedated to 3 March 1916.

Richard Gambier-Parry served with distinction in France and Belgium and was wounded on three occasions.

Also mentioned in despatches twice, Richard Gambier-Parry then joined the Royal Flying Corps.

Richard Gambier-Parry married widow Diana Williams Andrews nee Norrington on 26 September 1919.

Richard Gambier-Parry was employed with the British Broadcasting Corporation in its public relations department from 1926 to 1931.

Richard Gambier-Parry became interested in radio and worked for radio manufacturer Philco.

However, Richard Gambier-Parry's efforts were frustrated by the unwillingness of some heads of overseas missions to take them, based on the belief that their use was contrary to the Vienna Convention.

The covert wireless network that Richard Gambier-Parry established allowed him to stay in communication with SIS agents in many countries.

In January 1942, Richard Gambier-Parry began trials of the radio communications for Operation Tracer, using equipment that he already had at Gibraltar, and sending one of his staff to conduct trials in the excavated radio room.

Richard Gambier-Parry ran a network of secret listening stations after the war, and was appointed Director of Communications at Hanslope Park, in the Borough of Milton Keynes.

Brigadier Sir Richard Gambier-Parry died on 19 June 1965 at Abbots Close, Milton Keynes Village.