Harry Willans

Major-General Harry Willans CB, CBE, DSO, MC (1892 – 5 February 1943) was a British Army officer.

Harry Willans
Born	1892
Died	5 February 1943
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major-General
Commands held	168th (2nd London) Infantry Brigade 47th (London) Infantry Division
Battles/wars	First World War Second World War
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Military Cross

Military career

Born the son of James and Henrietta Willans and educated at Aldenham School,[1] Willans was commissioned into the Bedfordshire Regiment on 23 May 1916.[2] He became commanding officer of the Artists Rifles in 1933, commander of the 168th (2nd London) Infantry Brigade in May 1938 and General Officer Commanding 47th (London) Infantry Division in August 1939.[3][4] He went on to be Director-General of Welfare and Education at the War Office in December 1940.[4] He was killed in a flying accident at El Adem Airfield near Tobruk in February 1943.[5]

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1943 New Year Honours.[6]

References

1. "Harry Willans DSO MC". Stevenage at War. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
2. "No. 29590". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 May 1916. p. 5056.
3. "Willans, Harry". Generals.dk. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
4. "Army Commands" (PDF). Retrieved 18 June 2020.
5. "General Willans Killed; Head of British Army Welfare and Education Dies in Crash". New York Times. 9 February 1943. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
6. "No. 35841". The London Gazette. 29 December 1942. p. 3.

Military offices
Preceded by Clive Liddell	GOC 47th (London) Infantry Division 1939–1940	Succeeded by Clifford Malden