Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Lieutenant Colonel

Army Number : 4850584 and 113069

Unit : 3rd (SR) Bn, 1st Bn, 2nd Bn

Biography :

'Happy' Havilland joined the Regiment as a Private on 10.1.1919 with number 4850584. He served with the 1st Bn in Ireland, Aldershot, Egypt and India. Promoted C.S.M. 9.6.1923 and W.O.II 9.6.1925. Joined the 2nd Bn in Londonderry as RQMS in 1933. He was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. He was a fine rifle shot, and among his achievements was at Bisley in 1938 when in the Roupell Cup he came 10th (out of 598). His service in 2nd Bn included Aldershot (he was one of eleven members of the Bn to march in the coronation of King George VI), Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Ceylon, India and Burma. Awarded MID for his work as RQMS in Palestine 1938-39 (L.G. 15.9.1939). He was granted an emergency commission to Lieutenant in January 1940. Awarded M.B.E. (L.G. 30.12.1941) for his work as MTO/QM, 2nd Leicesters, Egypt/ Crete/Syria, Dec 1940-Aug 1941, and a second MID (L.G. 26.4.1945) for his work as OC Echelon at Air Base, 2nd Leicesters (Chindits), Burma, 1943-44. For a while in 1944 he was Bn 2IC of 2nd Bn. Left the Regiment in July 1946, to join the planning staff at the new RMA Sandhurst, and became the first QM, where he oversaw the move of many artefacts to Sandhurst from Woolwich, including Queen Victoria's statue which stands at the bottom of The King's Walk). He was promoted Lieut. Colonel in 1953 and awarded the O.B.E (L.G. 2.1.1956). He retired from the Army on 27.1.1956. Died in Australia in 2000, aged 98.
He was the father of Captain G A Havilland MC of the Regiment.

Date of Birth : 27.1.1902

Date of Death : 19.10.2000

Place of Death : Australia

Civil Occupation : Retired Officer

Period of Service : 1919-56

Conflicts : Palestine, WW2

Places Served : Ireland, Aldershot, Egypt and India, UK, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Ceylon, India and Burma