Robert Hugh Willan

Robert Hugh Willan
Born	(1882-09-06)6 September 1882
Died	4 May 1960(1960-05-04) (aged 77)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	1902–38 1939–42
Rank	Brigadier
Commands	10th Infantry Brigade (1934–38) 1st Divisional Signals (1925–29)
Battles / wars	First World War Second World War
Awards	Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches
Relations	Frank Willan (father) Frank Willan (son)

Brigadier Robert Hugh Willan, DSO, MC (6 September 1882 – 4 May 1960) was an officer in the British Army.^[1]

Willan was a lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry when he received a commission as second lieutenant in The King's Royal Rifle Corps on 7 May 1902.^[2]

He served in the First World War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1916 and the Military Cross (MC).

He was Commander of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 1934–38 and concurrently Aide-de-camp to Kings George V, Edward VIII and George VI.

He married Violet Crabbe, daughter of Brigadier General Eyre Crabbe. They had two sons: Martin Stuart Willan was killed in action during the fall of France in 1940;^[3] the other was (Frank) Andrew Willan, RAF officer and Tory local politician.

He died in 1960 and his funeral was held in Salisbury.^[4]

References

1. 'WILLAN, Colonel (Hon. Brig.) Robert Hugh', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2007; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012; online edn, Nov 2012 accessed 15 March 2014
2. "No. 27431". The London Gazette. 6 May 1902. p. 3015.
3. "Casualty Details | CWGC".
4. Deaths. The Times (London), Monday, May 09, 1960; pg. 14; Issue 54766. (472 words)