Robert Mansergh

Robert Mansergh was born in South Africa and educated at the Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.[1] He was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery in 1920.[1] He served with the British Military Mission to Iraq between 1931 and 1935, being awarded the Military Cross in 1932.[1]

During the Second World War, Mansergh served with the Royal Artillery in Eritrea, Abyssinia, the Western Desert of Libya, the Middle East, Persia, Iraq, Arakan, Assam and Burma.[1] Having been promoted acting major general in 1944, he commanding the 11th (East Africa) Division and the 5th Indian Infantry Division.[1]

Promoted acting lieutenant general in 1946, Mansergh commanded the XV Indian Corps and was then appointed Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces in the Netherlands East Indies.[1] Mansergh later served as Military Secretary from 1948 to 1949, Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong from 1949 to 1951, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe from 1951 to 1953, Commander-in Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe from 1953 to 1956 and Commander-in-Chief of the United Kingdom Land Forces from 1956 to 1959.[1] In that capacity he headed a Committee which looked at the Administration of the British Army.[2]

Mansergh also served as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery and the Royal Horse Artillery Regiments.[1]

• Historical records from The National Archives (United Kingdom)