Anyone recognise this gentleman?
Outstanding military figures
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Well YES. I didn’t know about the violent mood swings, though.
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They didn't call him Black Bob for nuttin'.
It could have been an ethnic slur -
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What a story! Reading about WWII heroes and their acts of immense bravery should inspire us to be more selfless people. Would we stand up to such tests?
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GI Joe for me, I had several of those military figures.
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What you may not know about David Niven, who enjoyed an exciting and very fulfilling life. I still need to get my hands on his two books, The Moon's A Balloon and Bring On The Empty Horses.
QuoteDisplay MoreLt Col David Niven, Rifle Brigade and "Phantom" GHQ Regiment...
David Niven attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, graduating in 1930 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the British Army.
He did well at Sandhurst, which gave him the "officer and gentleman" bearing that was his trademark. He requested assignment to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders or the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), then jokingly wrote on the form, as his third choice, "anything but the Highland Light Infantry" (because the HLI wore tartan trews rather than kilts). He was assigned to the HLI. He served with the HLI for two years in Malta and then for a few months in Dover. In Malta, he became friends with Roy Urquhart, future commander of the British 1st Airborne Division.
Niven grew tired of the peacetime army. Though promoted to lieutenant on 1 January 1933, he saw no opportunity for further advancement. His ultimate decision to resign came after a lengthy lecture on machine guns, which was interfering with his plans for dinner with a particularly attractive young lady. At the end of the lecture, the speaker (a major general) asked if there were any questions. Showing the typical rebelliousness of his early years, Niven asked, "Could you tell me the time, sir? I have to catch a train."
After being placed under close-arrest for this act of insubordination, Niven finished a bottle of whisky with the officer who was guarding him: Rhoddy Rose (later Colonel R.L.C. Rose, DSO, MC). With Rose's assistance, Niven was allowed to escape from a first-floor window. He then headed for America. While crossing the Atlantic, Niven resigned his commission by telegram on 6 September 1933. Niven then moved to New York City, where he began an unsuccessful career in whisky sales, after which he had a stint in horse rodeo promotion in Atlantic City. After detours to Bermuda and Cuba, he arrived in Hollywood in 1934.
The day after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, Niven returned home and rejoined the British Army. He was alone among British stars in Hollywood in doing so; the British Embassy had advised most actors to stay.
Niven was recommissioned as a lieutenant into the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) on 25 February 1940, and was assigned to a motor training battalion. He wanted something more exciting, however, and transferred into the Commandos. He was assigned to a training base at Inverailort House in the Western Highlands. Niven later claimed credit for bringing future Major General Sir Robert E. Laycock to the Commandos. Niven commanded "A" Squadron GHQ Liaison Regiment, better known as "Phantom".
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I assume Germans are not allowed to post on this thread..... hahaha
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David Niven was known as a thoroughly good man.
Am I remembering correctly that his wife was killed by a bomb during the war?
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I assume Germans are not allowed to post on this thread..... hahaha
If we had any Germans on the forum, I would recommend they watch Fawlty Towers first
David Niven was known as a thoroughly good man.
Am I remembering correctly that his wife was killed by a bomb during the war?
She died in an unfortunate party accident, apparently.
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