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Oliver LeeseBritish military leader
Date of Birth: 26.10.1894
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- World War I Service
- World War II Service
- North Africa and Italy
- December 30, 1940: Commander of West Sussex Territorial Division
- Southeast Asia Command
- Post-War Career
- President of the Combined Cadet Force Association (1950-1971)
- President of the Cricket Society (1969-1973)
Early Life and Career
Oliver William Hargreaves Leesewas born in London on October 26, 1894. He attended Eton College and later the Staff College in Camberley, graduating in 1928. Leese began his military service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards on May 15, 1915.
World War I Service
Leese fought in World War I on the Western Front, where he was wounded three times and concussed twice. After the war, he continued to serve in the Coldstream Guards and held various positions within the War Office from 1935 to 1936.
World War II Service
European TheaterDecember 17, 1936: Commander of 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards
September 28, 1938: Chief Instructor, Staff College, Quetta, India
April 18, 1940: Commander of 20th Independent Infantry Brigade, England
May 11 - June 30, 1940: Deputy Chief of Staff, British Expeditionary Force in France
North Africa and Italy
July 15, 1940: Commander of 29th Independent Infantry Brigade, tasked with defending Dover during Operation Sea Lion
December 30, 1940: Commander of West Sussex Territorial Division
January 30, 1941: Commander of 15th (Scottish) DivisionJune 17, 1941: Commander of Guards Armoured Division
September 12, 1942: Commander of XXX Corps in North Africa, playing a crucial role in the Battle of El Alamein
December 29, 1943: Commander of 8th Army, leading the invasion of Italy
Southeast Asia Command
November 12, 1944: Commander-in-Chief of Allied Land Forces, Southeast Asia Command
Post-War Career
Leese retired from the military in 1947. He held various positions after the war, including:
President of the Combined Cadet Force Association (1950-1971)
President of the Warwickshire, Shropshire, and Marylebone Cricket Clubs
President of the Cricket Society (1969-1973)
National President of the British Legion (1962-1970)President of the Eton Association (1964-1973)
Leese died on January 22, 1978, in Llanrhaeadr, Wales.
