Major-General J F Metcalfe CB CBE

Commanded 2^nd Bn The Queen's Royal Regiment from December 1943 to April 1944 (including No.21 Column).

John Francis Metcalfe was born on 30^th June 1908 and educated at Radley and the RMC. He was commissioned in The Queen's Royal Regiment in February 1928 and served with the 1^st Battalion in Malta and China. In 1939 he attended the Staff College, Quetta and became an Instructor there. He rejoined the 1^st Battalion as 2 i/c and in December 1943 was appointed to command the 2^nd Battalion which was part of 'The Chindit Force' and commanded No.21 Column. In March 1944 he was wounded and in April was evacuated by air to India. After various staff appointments including GSO I (Instructor) at the Joint Services Staff College from November 1946 to April 1949 he was appointed to command 1^st Bn The East Surrey Regiment from August 1949 to August 1951 and then became BGS Western Command. From 1955 to 1957 he commanded the 2^nd Federation Infantry Brigade in Malaya and from 1958 to 1961 was Director of Personnel Administration at the War Office. He then was appointed GOC Aldershot District which command he retained until he retired from the Army in 1963.

He was Colonel of The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment from l4^th October 1959 to 13^th October 1964. In 1954 he was made a CBE and in 1960 a CB. He was Mentioned in Despatches three times.

He died on 11^th June 1975.

For details of his service with The East Surrey Regiment see page 93 of this album.

For obituary see The Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association Newsletter No.18 November 1975 page 13

 

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