William Alfred Dimoline
Encyclopedia
Major-General William Alfred Dimoline CB
CMG CBE
DSO
MC
(born 1897; died 1965) was an officer in the British Army
during World War I
and World War II
. His nickname was "Dimmo."
, Cheltenham
(where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps) and with the outbreak of World War I
he was commissioned into the King's Regiment (Liverpool) (Territorial Force
) as a second lieutenant
in 1914. In 1915 he was promoted to lieutenant
, he was then seconded to the Divisional Artillery Signals on 15 March 1917 and promoted to captain
. In 1920 he was given a backdated regular army commission in the East Surrey Regiment
from July 1916, as a second lieutenant, having transferred to the regiment as a lieutenant in 1918. He was awarded the Military Cross
.
Between the World Wars he officially transferred to the Royal Signal Corps. He commanded a Divisional Signal Company as an acting captain for a period up to 1922. He was then seconded to the West African Frontier Force as a temporary captain in 1923. In 1925 he was seconded to the Colonial Office
, promoted to substantive captain in 1927 (with seniority back to 1920), and returned to regimental duty to serve as adjutant
from 1930, and then attended Staff College
in 1933–1934, and in 1936 he was appointed a General Staff Officer, Grade 3, holding the appointment until January 1937. He was then seconded to be Commandant
of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, and appointed to the Northern Rhodesia
Legislative Council
. He was promoted to susbtantive lieutenant-colonel on 8 November 1938.
, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1941 for his services there, He was promoted to substantive colonel on 19 December 1941. and Mentioned in Despatches.
Brigadier
Dimoline commanded the 26th East African Brigade (of the 12th African Division) in Italian Somaliland
and Ethiopia
during the East African Campaign
. His brigade acted independently of its division for the duration of the campaign.
During the Battle of Madagascar
in 1942, Brigadier Dimoline commanded the 22nd East African Brigade. His brigade carried out an amphibious landing on 10 September at Majunga, in the north-west part of the island. He commanded a surprise attack on 18 October against forces based at Andriamanalina with such success that his troops suffered no casualties. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his part in the battle.
Later, he commanded a number of East African brigades in the Asian Theatre
including in the Burma Campaign
the 28th East African Brigade and then, on promotion to acting major-general
in 1945, the 11th (East Africa) Division
. He was again Mentioned in Despatches for his performance there, and given the Distinguished Service Order
(DSO).
. He was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) in the 1947 King's Birthday Honours, and, in 1948, was appointed General Officer Commanding Aldershot District
; he relinquished command of the Aldershot District on 1 September 1951. On 29 September 1951 he was appointed "Head of The Service Advisers to The United Kingdom Delegation and United Kingdom Representative on, The Military Staff Committee
of The United Nations
", and held the post until 13 October 1953. He retired on 27 December 1953, remaining a reserve officer until 1957. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1958 New Year Honours
for his work as "Secretary, British Group, Inter-Parliamentary Union."
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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...
CMG 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....
(born 1897; died 1965) was an officer in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during World War I
World War I
World 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...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. His nickname was "Dimmo."
Early career
Dimoline was educated at Dean Close SchoolDean Close School
Dean Close School is a co-educational independent school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The school is divided into pre-prep, preparatory and senior schools located on separate but adjacent sites outside Cheltenham town centre, occupying the largest private land area in the town...
, Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
(where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps) and with the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World 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...
he was commissioned into the King's Regiment (Liverpool) (Territorial Force
Territorial Force
The Territorial Force was the volunteer reserve component of the British Army from 1908 to 1920, when it became the Territorial Army.-Origins:...
) as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in 1914. In 1915 he was promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, he was then seconded to the Divisional Artillery Signals on 15 March 1917 and promoted to captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
. In 1920 he was given a backdated regular army commission in the East Surrey Regiment
East Surrey Regiment
The East Surrey Regiment was a regiment in the British Army formed in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 31st Regiment of Foot and the 70th Regiment of Foot...
from July 1916, as a second lieutenant, having transferred to the regiment as a lieutenant in 1918. He was awarded the Military Cross
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....
.
Between the World Wars he officially transferred to the Royal Signal Corps. He commanded a Divisional Signal Company as an acting captain for a period up to 1922. He was then seconded to the West African Frontier Force as a temporary captain in 1923. In 1925 he was seconded to the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
, promoted to substantive captain in 1927 (with seniority back to 1920), and returned to regimental duty to serve as adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
from 1930, and then attended 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:...
in 1933–1934, and in 1936 he was appointed a General Staff Officer, Grade 3, holding the appointment until January 1937. He was then seconded to be Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, and appointed to the Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a territory in south central Africa, formed in 1911. It became independent in 1964 as Zambia.It was initially administered under charter by the British South Africa Company and formed by it in 1911 by amalgamating North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia...
Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
. He was promoted to susbtantive lieutenant-colonel on 8 November 1938.
World War II
Dimoline was initially employed in the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1941 for his services there, He was promoted to substantive colonel on 19 December 1941. and Mentioned in Despatches.
Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Dimoline commanded the 26th East African Brigade (of the 12th African Division) in Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland , also known as Italian Somalia, was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy from the 1880s until 1936 in the region of modern-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate, the territory was later acquired by Italy through various...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
during the East African Campaign
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
. His brigade acted independently of its division for the duration of the campaign.
During the Battle of Madagascar
Battle of Madagascar
The Battle of Madagascar was the Allied campaign to capture Vichy-French-controlled Madagascar during World War II. It began on 5 May 1942. Fighting did not cease until 6 November.-Geo-political:...
in 1942, Brigadier Dimoline commanded the 22nd East African Brigade. His brigade carried out an amphibious landing on 10 September at Majunga, in the north-west part of the island. He commanded a surprise attack on 18 October against forces based at Andriamanalina with such success that his troops suffered no casualties. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his part in the battle.
Later, he commanded a number of East African brigades in the Asian Theatre
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
including in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
the 28th East African Brigade and then, on promotion to acting major-general
Major-General (United Kingdom)
Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
in 1945, the 11th (East Africa) Division
11th (East Africa) Division
The 11th Infantry Division was a British Empire colonial unit formed in February 1943 during World War II.-Formation:In 1943, the 11th Division was formed primarily of troops from British East Africa....
. He was again Mentioned in Despatches for his performance there, and given the Distinguished Service Order
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...
(DSO).
Post war
Dimoline was made a substantive major-general on 6 September 1946, and was appointed General Officer Commanding East Africa CommandEast Africa Command
-History:The formation was essentially an expansion of the East Africa Force which came into being in August 1940. It was reformed as a Command in September 1941 by General Sir William Platt and covered North East Africa, East Africa and British Central Africa. It established its own intelligence...
. He was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) in the 1947 King's Birthday Honours, and, in 1948, was appointed General Officer Commanding Aldershot District
Aldershot Command
-History:After the success of the Chobham Manoeuvres of 1853, a permanent training camp was established at Aldershot in 1854 on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, Viscount Hardinge...
; he relinquished command of the Aldershot District on 1 September 1951. On 29 September 1951 he was appointed "Head of The Service Advisers to The United Kingdom Delegation and United Kingdom Representative on, The Military Staff Committee
Military Staff Committee
The Military Staff Committee is the United Nations Security Council subsidiary body whose role, as defined by the United Nations Charter, is to plan UN military operations and assist in the regulation of armaments....
of The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
", and held the post until 13 October 1953. He retired on 27 December 1953, remaining a reserve officer until 1957. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1958 New Year Honours
New Year Honours
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
for his work as "Secretary, British Group, Inter-Parliamentary Union."
Career summary
- Commissioned into 5th battalion King's Regiment (Liverpool) (6 July 1914)
- Commissioned into East Surrey RegimentEast Surrey RegimentThe East Surrey Regiment was a regiment in the British Army formed in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 31st Regiment of Foot and the 70th Regiment of Foot...
(1920) - Transferred to Royal Signal Corps (1922)
- Seconded to West African Frontier Force (1923)
- Commandant Northern Rhodesia Regiment (1937)
- Commanding Officer, 26th East African Brigade, East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
- 1941 to 1942 - Acting General Officer Commanding, 12th African Division, East Africa - 1942
- Commanding Officer, 26th East African Brigade, East Africa - 1942
- Commanding Officer, 22nd East African Brigade, East Africa and MadagascarMadagascarThe Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
- 1942 to 1943 - Commandant of Diego FortressAntsirananaAntsiranana , named Diego-Suarez prior to 1975, is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar.Antsiranana is the capital of Diana Region.-Transports:...
, Madagascar - 1943 - Commanding Officer, 21st East African Brigade, Ceylon - 1943
- Commanding Officer, 30th East African Brigade, East Africa - 1944
- Commanding Officer, 28th Independent East African Brigade, Ceylon - 1944
- Commanding Officer, 28th Independent East African Brigade, Ceylon, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and Burma - 1944 to 1945 - General Officer Commanding, 11th (East Africa) Division11th (East Africa) DivisionThe 11th Infantry Division was a British Empire colonial unit formed in February 1943 during World War II.-Formation:In 1943, the 11th Division was formed primarily of troops from British East Africa....
, Burma and India - 1945 to 1946 - Commander-in-Chief, East Africa CommandEast Africa Command-History:The formation was essentially an expansion of the East Africa Force which came into being in August 1940. It was reformed as a Command in September 1941 by General Sir William Platt and covered North East Africa, East Africa and British Central Africa. It established its own intelligence...
- 1946 to 1948 - District Officer Commanding, Aldershot DistrictAldershotAldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
- 1948 to 1951 - British Representative on United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' Military Staff Committee - 1951 to 1953
See also
- King's African RiflesKing's African RiflesThe King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
- Order of Battle, East African CampaignOrder of Battle, East African Campaign (World War II)The Order of Battle, East African Campaign shows the ground forces available to both sides in East Africa on the date that the Italians declared war on Britain and France, 10 June 1940...
External links
- Dimoline's World War I medal card in Documents Online at The National Archives (fee required)
- Papers relating to the award of OBE, CBE and DSO in Documents Online at The National Archives (fee required)
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