Dimitry Zvegintzov

Brigadier Dimitry Dimitrievitch Zvegintzov (Russian: Димитрий Димитриевич Звегинцов) CBE, OStJ (1911 – 13 April 1984) was a senior British Army officer.

Dimitry Dimitrievitch Zvegintzov
Native name
Димитрий Димитриевич Звегинцов
Nickname(s)Zog
Born1911
Russia
Died13 April 1984 (aged 72–73)
Glasbury on Wye, Wales
Buried
Garden of Remembrance, Hereford Crematorium
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1935–1965
RankBrigadier
UnitBorder Regiment
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Officer of the Order of Saint John
Spouse(s)Hon. Rachel Kathleen Bailey

Biography

Zvegintzov was born in Russia into an aristocratic family, the son of Colonel Dimitry Ivanovitch Zvegintzov (1880–1967) and Princess Maria Obolensky (1882–1947), the daughter of Ivan Mikhailovich Obolensky.[1] During the Russian Revolution of 1917, his family moved to England, fearing the repercussions of the Bolshevik takeover. He was subsequently educated at Bloxham School, where he was nicknamed "Zog", and served as drum major in the Officers' Training Corps band,[2] with the rank of Cadet Serjeant.[3]

On 17 September 1931, Zvegintzov, then working a clerk and living in Barons Court, London, became a naturalised British subject, having been granted a Certificate of Naturalization, and sworn the Oath of Allegiance.[4] He joined the Supplementary Reserve of Officers in May 1933,[3] and 1 February 1935 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Border Regiment,[5] receiving promotion to lieutenant on 1 February 1938.[6]

He saw service during the Second World War, being promoted to captain on 1 February 1943,[7] and having the war substantive rank of major by the end of the conflict.[8]

He remained in the army post-war, being promoted to major on 25 January 1947.[8] and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1949.[9] On 1 July 1952 he was brevetted as a lieutenant-colonel,[10] eventually being promoted to that rank on 5 April 1955.[11] He was promoted again, to colonel, on 12 September 1957,[12] and to brigadier on 12 September 1961.[13]

Zvegintzov was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1963,[14] and eventually retired from the army on 2 February 1965.[15] In April 1968 he was made an Officer of the Order of Saint John.[16]

Zvegintzov died in 23 April 1984 at his home in Glasbury on Wye, Wales. His funeral was held at All Saints Church, Glasbury on Wye, and he was cremated on the 27th at Hereford Crematorium, and his ashes buried in the Garden of Remembrance there.

Personal life

Zvegintzov married the Honourable Rachel Kathleen Bailey, granddaughter of Joseph Russell Bailey, 1st Baron Glanusk, on 20 April 1940. They had three children.[17]

His younger brother Ivan was killed in North Africa on 28 December 1941 while serving as a second lieutenant in the 3rd County of London Yeomanry.[18]

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References
  1. Marek, Miroslav (2007). "Obolensky family". Genealogy.eu. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  2. "A History of Bloxham School's Combined Cadet Force". Bloxham School. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  3. "No. 33940". The London Gazette. 16 May 1933. p. 3283.
  4. "No. 33759". The London Gazette. 6 October 1931. p. 6392.
  5. "No. 34129". The London Gazette. 1 February 1935. p. 773.
  6. "No. 34478". The London Gazette. 1 February 1938. p. 666.
  7. "No. 35884". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 January 1943. p. 590.
  8. "No. 37946". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 May 1947. p. 2001.
  9. "No. 38493". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1948. p. 7.
  10. "No. 39748". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 January 1953. pp. 210–211.
  11. "No. 40530". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 July 1955. p. 3936.
  12. "No. 41228". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 November 1957. pp. 6707–6708.
  13. "No. 42500". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 October 1961. p. 7853.
  14. "No. 42870". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1962. p. 6.
  15. "No. 43567". The London Gazette. 2 February 1965. p. 1235.
  16. "No. 44569". The London Gazette. 19 April 1968. p. 4528.
  17. Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage. II (107th ed.). Wilmington, Delaware: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd. p. 1562. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  18. "Casualty Details: Zvegintzov, Ivan Dmitrivitch". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
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