Keith Arbuthnott, 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott
Encyclopedia
Major General
Robert Keith Arbuthnott, 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott CB
, CBE
, DSO
, MC
. (21 August 1897 – 15 December 1966).
He was educated at Fettes College
and RMC Sandhurst
. He served in both World War
s and was mentioned in despatches. His major wartime appointments include Palestine 1938–1939 (despatches), GSO(2) Staff College
1938, commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade
in Italy
1943–1944 and the 78th Infantry Division 1944–1946. After the war, he served as Chief of the British Military Mission to the Egyptian Army
in 1946, Chief of Staff of the Scottish Command in 1948–1949, Commander of the Highland District and 51st (Highland) Infantry Division
(Territorial Army) 1949–52, and retired in 1952 as a Major General
.
He was Colonel of the Black Watch
(RHR) 1960–1964.
He was awarded the Commander of the Legion of Merit
(U.S.A.).
He was also Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
1960–1966.
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Deputy Lieutenant (DL), Kincardineshire, 1959,
Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
1960–1966.
Honorary Colonel of The Black Watch
(Territorial Army), 20 June 1952-...
Colonel of The Black Watch
, 31 March 1960 – 1 June 1964.
of Dedham Grove, Colchester, Essex. They had three sons (including John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott, KT who succeeded him) and one daughter.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Robert Keith Arbuthnott, 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott CB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. (21 August 1897 – 15 December 1966).
He was educated at Fettes College
Fettes College
Fettes College is an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland with over two thirds of its pupils in residence on campus...
and RMC Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He served in both World War
World war
A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters....
s and was mentioned in despatches. His major wartime appointments include Palestine 1938–1939 (despatches), GSO(2) Staff College
Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
1938, commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade
British 11th Infantry Brigade
The 11th Infantry Brigade is a British Army regular formation that served in both the First and Second World Wars. Deactivated in 1958 it was reactivated in 2008 to assume command of the planned Operation Herrick deployment to Afghanistan in late 2009....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
1943–1944 and the 78th Infantry Division 1944–1946. After the war, he served as Chief of the British Military Mission to the Egyptian Army
Egyptian Army
The Egyptian Army is the largest service branch within the Egyptian Armed Forces and holds power in the current Egyptian government. It is estimated to number around 379,000, in addition to 479,000 reservists for a total of 858,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the...
in 1946, Chief of Staff of the Scottish Command in 1948–1949, Commander of the Highland District and 51st (Highland) Infantry Division
British 51st (Highland) Infantry Division (World War II)
For the First World War unit, see 51st Division .The 51st Infantry Division was a British Territorial Army division that fought during the Second World War...
(Territorial Army) 1949–52, and retired in 1952 as a Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
.
He was Colonel of the Black Watch
Black Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
(RHR) 1960–1964.
He was awarded the Commander of the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(U.S.A.).
He was also Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire.*Anthony Adrian Keith-Falconer, 5th Earl of Kintore 17 March 1794 – 30 August 1804*John Arbuthnott, 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott 5 October 1804 – 1847...
1960–1966.
Service
- Education:
- Fettes CollegeFettes CollegeFettes College is an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland with over two thirds of its pupils in residence on campus...
- Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
- Staff CollegeStaff College, CamberleyStaff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
1931
- Fettes College
- 14 July 1915 commissioned into the Black WatchBlack WatchThe Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
(Royal Highland Regiment) - 1915–1918 served World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(France & Belgium, 19 September 1916 – 18 April 1918) (wounded) - 3 December 1917 – 16 January 1918 Company Commander, The Black Watch
- March 1931 student, Junior Division, Staff College, CamberleyStaff College, CamberleyStaff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
- 21 January 1933 – 6 December 1934 Adjutant, 2nd Battalion The Black Watch (UK)
- 7 December 1934 – 15 October 1936 General Staff Officer 3rd grade (GSO3), War OfficeWar OfficeThe War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
- 16 October 1936 – 18 December 1937 Brigade Major, 7th Infantry Brigade (Southern Command, UK)
- 16 December 1938 – 17 June 1940 General Staff Officer 2nd grade (GSO2), Staff College, CamberleyStaff College, CamberleyStaff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
(temporary; local Lt.Col.) - 4 August 1941 – 18 June 1942 Colonel General Staff
- 19 June 1942 – 9 May 1943 Brigadier General Staff
- 10 May 1943 – 24 September 1943 Commander, 198th Infantry Brigade (UK)
- 29 September 1943 – 10 October 1944 Commander, 11th Infantry BrigadeBritish 11th Infantry BrigadeThe 11th Infantry Brigade is a British Army regular formation that served in both the First and Second World Wars. Deactivated in 1958 it was reactivated in 2008 to assume command of the planned Operation Herrick deployment to Afghanistan in late 2009....
(Italy, Egypt, Italy), also: - 9 July 1944 – 30 July 1944 acting General Officer Commanding, 78th Infantry DivisionBritish 78th Infantry DivisionThe British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.- History :...
(Italy, Egypt) - 1 August 1944 – 21 August 1944 acting General Officer Commanding, 78th Infantry DivisionBritish 78th Infantry DivisionThe British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.- History :...
(Egypt) - 10 October 1944 – 17 November 1944 acting General Officer Commanding, 78th Infantry DivisionBritish 78th Infantry DivisionThe British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.- History :...
(Italy, Egypt) - 17 November 1944–1945 General Officer Commanding, 78th Infantry DivisionBritish 78th Infantry DivisionThe British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.- History :...
(Italy, Austria) - 1946–1947 Chief of British Military Mission to the Egyptian ArmyEgyptian ArmyThe Egyptian Army is the largest service branch within the Egyptian Armed Forces and holds power in the current Egyptian government. It is estimated to number around 379,000, in addition to 479,000 reservists for a total of 858,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the...
- 1948–1949 Chief of Staff, Scottish Command
- 1949 – 1 November 1952 General Officer Commanding, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, Territorial Army and Highland District
- 1 November 1952 – 21 August 1957 Regular Army Reserve of Officers
Deputy Lieutenant (DL), Kincardineshire, 1959,
Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire.*Anthony Adrian Keith-Falconer, 5th Earl of Kintore 17 March 1794 – 30 August 1804*John Arbuthnott, 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott 5 October 1804 – 1847...
1960–1966.
Honorary Colonel of The Black Watch
Black Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
(Territorial Army), 20 June 1952-...
Colonel of The Black Watch
Black Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
, 31 March 1960 – 1 June 1964.
Military ranks
- 2nd Lieutenant 14 July 1915 [13522]
- Lieutenant 15 January 1917
- A/Captain 3 December 1917 – 16 January 1918, 17 February 1918 – 10 July 1919
- Captain 2 January 1924
- Major 1 August 1938
- A/Lt.Colonel 18 June 1940 – 17 September 1940
- T/Lt.Colonel 18 September 1940 – 3 February 1942
- WS/Lt.Colonel 4 February 1942
- Lt.Colonel 1 October 1944
- A/Colonel 4 August 1941 – 3 February 1942
- T/Colonel 4 February 1942 – 1 January 1945
- Colonel 2 January 1945
- A/Brigadier 19 June 1942 – 18 December 1942
- T/Brigadier 19 December 1942 – 9 October 1945
- A/Maj.General 10 October 1944 – 9 October 1945
- T/Maj.General 10 October 1945
- Maj.General 22 December 1946, seniority 27 March 1945 (retd 29 November 1952)
Decorations
- Companion of the Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
awarded 5 July 1945 for gallant and distinguished services in Italy. - Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
awarded 21 December 1944 for gallant and distinguished services in Italy - Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
awarded 1939? Palestine - Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
awarded 22 April 1918 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a raiding party. He took an active part in the preliminary reconnaissances and training and led his men with great success in the raid, inspiring them by his courage and keenness. - Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
(MiD) 24 May 1918 ? - Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
(MiD) 25 April 1939 Palestine - Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
(MiD) 24 August 1944 for gallant and distinguished services in Italy - Commander of the Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(U.S.A.) awarded 2 August 1945 for distinguished services in the cause of the Allies. - British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- Palestine 1936–39 Medal & Clasp
Family
Lord Arbuthnott married, 10 January 1924, Ursula Collingwood (died 20 December 1989), daughter of Sir William Collingwood, KBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
of Dedham Grove, Colchester, Essex. They had three sons (including John Campbell Arbuthnott, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott, KT who succeeded him) and one daughter.