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{{Short description|British Army general (1912–2002)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix=Sir
|name= Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick
|name= Desmond Fitzpatrick
|image= Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick.jpg
|image= Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick.jpg
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|caption= Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick
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==Second World War==
==Second World War==
Fitzpatrick was promoted to [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 1 September 1940.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34936|supp=y|page=5327|date=30 August 1940}}</ref> In 1941, his regiment was dispatched to [[Syria]], with him as [[adjutant]], to join [[Operation Exporter]], the [[Allies of World War II|allied]] invasion of territory controlled by [[Vichy France]] in the Middle East.<ref name ="telegraph"/><ref name = "times"/> Fitzpatrick's regiment then participated in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], in the [[reconnaissance]] role. After the operations there, he attended the British [[staff college]] at [[Haifa]], and in June 1942 he became [[brigade major]] of the [[2nd Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|2nd Armoured Brigade]], where he helped to plan the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> After the battle, by which time he was a temporary [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]], Fitzpatrick was [[Mentioned in Despatches]] on 24 June 1943,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36065|supp=y|page=2853|date=22 June 1943}}</ref> and later appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE), announced in the ''[[London Gazette]]'' in October 1943.<ref name=MBE>{{London Gazette|issue = 36209 | date = 14 October 1943 |page=4541 | supp = y}}</ref> By now he was an acting [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref name=MBE/> The recommendation for the MBE credits his planning for he successful deployment of 2nd Armoured Brigade during the battle, and also comments on his "personal example, often under heavy shell fire" while at the Tactical HQ during the battle itself, from where he passed back valuable information to the higher-level formations which had a material effect on the outcome of the battle.<ref name ="telegraph"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682007|title=Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Member of British Empire(sic)|work=DocumentsOnline|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|format=fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full|accessdate=29 June 2009}}</ref>
Fitzpatrick was promoted to [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 1 September 1940.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34936|supp=y|page=5327|date=30 August 1940}}</ref> In 1941, his regiment was dispatched to [[Syria]], with him as [[adjutant]], to join [[Operation Exporter]], the [[Allies of World War II|allied]] invasion of territory controlled by [[Vichy France]] in the Middle East.<ref name ="telegraph"/><ref name = "times"/> Fitzpatrick's regiment then participated in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], in the [[reconnaissance]] role. After the operations there, he attended the British [[staff college]] at [[Haifa]], and in June 1942 he became [[brigade major]] of the [[2nd Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|2nd Armoured Brigade]], where he helped to plan the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> After the battle, by which time he was a temporary [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]], Fitzpatrick was [[Mentioned in Despatches]] on 24 June 1943,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36065|supp=y|page=2853|date=22 June 1943}}</ref> and later appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE), announced in the ''[[London Gazette]]'' in October 1943.<ref name=MBE>{{London Gazette|issue = 36209 | date = 14 October 1943 |page=4541 | supp = y}}</ref> By now he was an acting [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref name=MBE/> The recommendation for the MBE credits his planning for he successful deployment of 2nd Armoured Brigade during the battle, and also comments on his "personal example, often under heavy shell fire" while at the Tactical HQ during the battle itself, from where he passed back valuable information to the higher-level formations which had a material effect on the outcome of the battle.<ref name ="telegraph"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682007|title=Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Member of British Empire(sic)|work=DocumentsOnline|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|format=fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full|accessdate=29 June 2009}}</ref>


Fitzpatrick next served as a staff officer with the [[I Armored Corps (United States)|US First Corps]] and in a position at the [[War Office]], before rejoining his regiment in the Netherlands in 1944 and taking command of one of its [[Squadron (army)|squadron]]s.<ref name = "telegraph"/> In 1945, he took command of the [[8th King's Royal Irish Hussars]], which served as the reconnaissance regiment of the [[7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Division]].<ref name = "times"/> While commanding the regiment, Fitzpatrick helped capture the heavily-defended town of [[Tostedt]], personally leading several reconnaissance missions.<ref name = "telegraph"/> Fitzpatrick's regiment also liberated the [[concentration camp]] at [[Fallingbostel]], freeing 10,000 allied [[prisoners of war]] and 12,000 other prisoners.<ref name = "times"/> His regiment also liberated the [[Bergen-Belsen concentration camp]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> For his leadership during this period, by which time he was a temporary lieutenant colonel, he was appointed to the [[Distinguished Service Order]] on 14 July 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37172|supp=y|page=3590|date=10 July 1945}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7670447|title=Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Distinguished Service Order|work=DocumentsOnline|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|format=fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full|accessdate=29 June 2009}}</ref>
Fitzpatrick next served as a staff officer with the [[I Armored Corps (United States)|US First Corps]] and in a position at the [[War Office]], before rejoining his regiment in the Netherlands in 1944 and taking command of one of its [[Squadron (army)|squadron]]s.<ref name = "telegraph"/> In 1945, he took command of the [[8th King's Royal Irish Hussars]], which served as the reconnaissance regiment of the [[7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Division]].<ref name = "times"/> While commanding the regiment, Fitzpatrick helped capture the heavily-defended town of [[Tostedt]], personally leading several reconnaissance missions.<ref name = "telegraph"/> Fitzpatrick's regiment also liberated the [[concentration camp]] at [[Fallingbostel]], freeing 10,000 allied [[prisoners of war]] and 12,000 other prisoners.<ref name = "times"/> His regiment also liberated the [[Bergen-Belsen concentration camp]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> For his leadership during this period, by which time he was a temporary lieutenant colonel, he was appointed to the [[Distinguished Service Order]] on 14 July 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37172|supp=y|page=3590|date=10 July 1945}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7670447|title=Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Distinguished Service Order|work=DocumentsOnline|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|format=fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full|accessdate=29 June 2009}}</ref>


==Post-war career==
==Post-war career==
After the war, Fitzpatrick received substantive to promotion to major on 1 July 1946,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37635|supp=y|page=3362|date=28 June 1946}}</ref> and held several staff assignments and became an instructor at the [[Staff College, Camberley]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He was promoted [[brevet (military)|brevet]] lieutenant colonel on 1 July 1951,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39397|supp=y|page=6239|date=27 November 1951}}</ref> and then assumed command of the 1st Royal Dragoons in the [[Suez Canal Zone]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He received substantive promotion to lieutenant colonel on 8 October 1952<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39741|supp=y|page=79|date=30 December 1952}}</ref> and to [[colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 31 December 1953 (having held the rank on a temporary basis for a period before that).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40100|supp=y|page=991|date=12 February 1954}}</ref> In 1957, he became the Chief of Staff of the [[I Corps (United Kingdom)|1st Corps]] with the rank of temporary brigadier.<ref name = "times"/> On 20 February 1959, he was appointed an [[Aide-de-Camp]] to the Queen,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41638|supp=y|page=1223|date=17 February 1959}}</ref> and later in the year, [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten of Burma]] selected Fitzpatrick to serve as the first Assistant [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He took up the post on 29 October 1959, with the temporary rank of [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|major general]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41873|supp=y|page=7353|date=17 November 1959}}</ref> and the rank was made substantive on 11 December 1959.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41890|supp=y|page=7845|date=8 December 1959}}</ref> In this position, Fitzpatrick became known as a "master tactician in the corridors of power" and distinguished himself as an expert in both the political and military realms,<ref name = "times"/> he was appointed [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[1961 Birthday Honours]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42370|supp=y|page=4145|date=2 June 1961}}</ref> and relinquished the post on 28 October 1961.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42517|supp=y|page=8435|date=17 November 1961}}</ref> As a result of his success, he became Director of Military Operations at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in 1962. In that role, he helped prepare the British intelligence estimate for the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] and played an important role in various defence policy debates, including those over the [[Polaris Missile]].<ref name = "times"/> He relinquished the post on 14 February 1964.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43244|supp=y|page=1343|date=11 February 1964}}</ref>
After the war, Fitzpatrick received substantive to promotion to major on 1 July 1946,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37635|supp=y|page=3362|date=28 June 1946}}</ref> and held several staff assignments and became an instructor at the [[Staff College, Camberley]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He was promoted [[brevet (military)|brevet]] lieutenant colonel on 1 July 1951,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39397|supp=y|page=6239|date=27 November 1951}}</ref> and then assumed command of the 1st Royal Dragoons in the [[Suez Canal Zone]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He received substantive promotion to lieutenant colonel on 8 October 1952<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39741|supp=y|page=79|date=30 December 1952}}</ref> and to [[colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 31 December 1953 (having held the rank on a temporary basis for a period before that).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40100|supp=y|page=991|date=12 February 1954}}</ref> In 1957, he became the Chief of Staff of the [[I Corps (United Kingdom)|1st Corps]] with the rank of temporary brigadier.<ref name = "times"/> On 20 February 1959, he was appointed an [[Aide-de-Camp]] to the Queen,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41638|supp=y|page=1223|date=17 February 1959}}</ref> and later in the year, [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten of Burma]] selected Fitzpatrick to serve as the first Assistant [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]].<ref name = "telegraph"/> He took up the post on 29 October 1959, with the temporary rank of [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|major general]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41873|supp=y|page=7353|date=17 November 1959}}</ref> and the rank was made substantive on 11 December 1959.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41890|supp=y|page=7845|date=8 December 1959}}</ref> In this position, Fitzpatrick became known as a "master tactician in the corridors of power" and distinguished himself as an expert in both the political and military realms,<ref name = "times"/> he was appointed [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[1961 Birthday Honours]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42370|supp=y|page=4145|date=2 June 1961}}</ref> and relinquished the post on 28 October 1961.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42517|supp=y|page=8435|date=17 November 1961}}</ref> As a result of his success, he became Director of Military Operations at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in 1962. In that role, he helped prepare the British intelligence estimate for the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] and played an important role in various defence policy debates, including those over the [[Polaris Missile]].<ref name = "times"/> He relinquished the post on 14 February 1964.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43244|supp=y|page=1343|date=11 February 1964}}</ref>


On 25 March 1964, he became the Chief of Staff of the [[British Army of the Rhine]] and [[General Officer Commanding]] Rhine Army Troops.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43281|supp=y|page=2757|date=24 March 1964}}</ref> Then on 24 April 1965, he was promoted to temporary [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|lieutenant general]] and became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[HQ Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Command]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43665|supp=y|page=5353|date=1 June 1965}}</ref> the rank was made substantive on 4 June 1965. He was advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours, by which time, and he had also been appointed honorary colonel of the Royals.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43667|supp=y|page=5473|date=4 June 1965}}</ref> He left Northern Ireland on 9 July 1966,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44049|supp=y|page=7817|date=8 July 1966}}</ref> and succeeded [[Geoffrey Baker]] as [[Vice Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff]] on 25 July.<ref>{{cite news|title = New Vice-Chief of General Staff | work=The Times | date = 16 December 1965 | page = 7D}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44062|supp=y|page=8365|date=22 July 1966}}</ref> Next, on 1 May 1968 he relinquished that post,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44580|supp=y|page=5181|date=3 May 1968}}</ref> and on 10 July he was given the local rank of [[General (United Kingdom)|general]] and appointed to command the British Army of the Rhine and the [[NATO]] Northern Army Group,<ref name = "telegraph"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44639|supp=y|page=8109|date=19 July 1968}}</ref> his rank became substantive on 1 October.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44686|supp=y|page=10529|date=27 September 1968}}</ref> During his time with the Northern Army Group, Fitzpatrick became well respected among his NATO colleagues "for his intellectual capabilities and for his finesse in dealing with international problems" and acquired a reputation as a soldier with particular skill for diplomacy.<ref name = "times"/> He relinquished the colonelcy of the Royals on 29 March 1969 when the regiment was amalgamated into the [[Blues and Royals]], becoming deputy colonel of the new regiment until 9 December 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44819|supp=y|pages=3453–3454|date=28 March 1969}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46469|supp=y|page=852|date=20 January 1975}}</ref> He was appointed ADC (General) on 9 January 1970.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45078|supp=y|page=4173|date=10 April 1970}}</ref>
On 25 March 1964, he became the Chief of Staff of the [[British Army of the Rhine]] and [[General Officer Commanding]] Rhine Army Troops.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43281|supp=y|page=2757|date=24 March 1964}}</ref> Then on 24 April 1965, he was promoted to temporary [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|lieutenant general]] and became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[HQ Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Command]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43665|supp=y|page=5353|date=1 June 1965}}</ref> the rank was made substantive on 4 June 1965. He was advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours, by which time, and he had also been appointed honorary colonel of the Royals.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43667|supp=y|page=5473|date=4 June 1965}}</ref> He left Northern Ireland on 9 July 1966,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44049|supp=y|page=7817|date=8 July 1966}}</ref> and succeeded [[Geoffrey Baker (British Army officer)|Geoffrey Baker]] as [[Vice Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice Chief of the General Staff]] on 25 July.<ref>{{cite news|title = New Vice-Chief of General Staff | work=The Times | date = 16 December 1965 | page = 7D}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44062|supp=y|page=8365|date=22 July 1966}}</ref> Next, on 1 May 1968 he relinquished that post,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44580|supp=y|page=5181|date=3 May 1968}}</ref> and on 10 July he was given the local rank of [[General (United Kingdom)|general]] and appointed to command the British Army of the Rhine and the [[NATO]] Northern Army Group,<ref name = "telegraph"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44639|supp=y|page=8109|date=19 July 1968}}</ref> his rank became substantive on 1 October.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44686|supp=y|page=10529|date=27 September 1968}}</ref> During his time with the Northern Army Group, Fitzpatrick became well respected among his NATO colleagues "for his intellectual capabilities and for his finesse in dealing with international problems" and acquired a reputation as a soldier with particular skill for diplomacy.<ref name = "times"/> He relinquished the colonelcy of the Royals on 29 March 1969 when the regiment was amalgamated into the [[Blues and Royals]], becoming deputy colonel of the new regiment until 9 December 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44819|supp=y|pages=3453–3454|date=28 March 1969}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46469|supp=y|page=852|date=20 January 1975}}</ref> He was appointed ADC (General) on 9 January 1970.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45078|supp=y|page=4173|date=10 April 1970}}</ref>


Because of his skill and good reputation, Fitzpatrick appointment as [[Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] (DSACEUR) was announced in April 1970,<ref>{{cite news|title = News in Brief | work=The Times | date = 19 April 1970 | page = 6D}}</ref> he took up the post on 1 December 1970,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45240|supp=y|page=13110|date=27 November 1970}}</ref> and was promoted to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[1971 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45262|supp=y|page=2|date=31 December 1970}}</ref> He was appointed [[Colonel Commandant]] of the [[Royal Armoured Corps]] on 1 April 1971.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45337|supp=y|page=3336|date=5 April 1971}}</ref> He served as DSACEUR until 12 November 1973,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46125|supp=y|page=13472|date=12 November 1973}}</ref> and retired from the Army on 26 January 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46194|supp=y|page=1196|date=28 January 1974}}</ref>
Because of his skill and good reputation, Fitzpatrick appointment as [[Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] (DSACEUR) was announced in April 1970,<ref>{{cite news|title = News in Brief | work=The Times | date = 19 April 1970 | page = 6D}}</ref> he took up the post on 1 December 1970,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45240|supp=y|page=13110|date=27 November 1970}}</ref> and was promoted to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[1971 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45262|supp=y|page=2|date=31 December 1970}}</ref> He was appointed [[Colonel Commandant]] of the [[Royal Armoured Corps]] on 1 April 1971.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45337|supp=y|page=3336|date=5 April 1971}}</ref> He served as DSACEUR until 12 November 1973,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46125|supp=y|page=13472|date=12 November 1973}}</ref> and retired from the Army on 26 January 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46194|supp=y|page=1196|date=28 January 1974}}</ref>


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
After retiring, Fitzpatrick was appointed to a five-year term [[Lieutenant Governor of Jersey]], beginning in 1974.<ref name = "times"/><ref>{{cite news|title = Latest Appointments | work=The Times | date = 6 October 1973 | page = 4A}}</ref> He was appointed Colonel of the Blues and Royals ([[Gold Stick and Silver Stick|Gold Stick]])<ref>{{cite news|last=Tomlinson|first=Richard|title=They also serve, who only ush|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/they-also-serve-who-only-ush-why-is-the-queen-followed-by-people-in-antique-clothes-richard-tomlinson-on-the-lords-ladies-women-masters-silver-sticks-and-white-staves-at-court-1564751.html|newspaper=Independent|date=20 Dec 1992}}</ref> on 17 December 1979 and held the post until 1998.<ref name = "telegraph"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48080|supp=y|page=1441|date=28 January 1980}}</ref> He was appointed [[Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] in the 1997 New Year Honours.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54625|page=4|date=30 December 1996}}</ref> He died on 12 October 2002 at the age of 89.<ref name = "telegraph"/>
After retiring, Fitzpatrick was appointed to a five-year term [[Lieutenant Governor of Jersey]], beginning in 1974.<ref name = "times"/><ref>{{cite news|title = Latest Appointments | work=The Times | date = 6 October 1973 | page = 4A}}</ref> He was appointed Colonel of the Blues and Royals ([[Gold Stick and Silver Stick|Gold Stick]])<ref>{{cite news|last=Tomlinson|first=Richard|title=They also serve, who only ush|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/they-also-serve-who-only-ush-why-is-the-queen-followed-by-people-in-antique-clothes-richard-tomlinson-on-the-lords-ladies-women-masters-silver-sticks-and-white-staves-at-court-1564751.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=20 December 1992}}</ref> on 17 December 1979 and held the post until 1998.<ref name = "telegraph"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48080|supp=y|page=1441|date=28 January 1980}}</ref> He was appointed [[Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] in the 1997 New Year Honours.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54625|page=4|date=30 December 1996}}</ref> He died on 12 October 2002 at the age of 89.<ref name = "telegraph"/>


==References==
==References==
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{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-hon}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Hilton Pepys]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Hilton Pepys]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Colonel of [[1st The Royal Dragoons]] | years=1964–1969}}
{{s-ttl|title=Colonel of [[1st The Royal Dragoons]] | years=1964–1969}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Colonel of the [[Blues and Royals]] | years=1979–1998}}
{{s-ttl|title=Colonel of the [[Blues and Royals]] | years=1979–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anne, Princess Royal]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anne, Princess Royal]]}}
|-
{{S-hon}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Richard Anderson (British Army officer)|Richard Anderson]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Richard Anderson (British Army officer)|Richard Anderson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland]]|years=1965–1966}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland]]|years=1965–1966}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ian Harris (British Army officer)|Ian Harris]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ian Harris (British Army officer)|Ian Harris]]}}
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{{succession box | title = [[Vice Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff]] | before =[[Geoffrey Baker|Sir Geoffrey Baker]] | after =[[Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour|Sir Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour]] | years = 1966–1968}}
{{succession box | title = [[Vice Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice Chief of the General Staff]] | before =[[Geoffrey Baker (British Army officer)|Sir Geoffrey Baker]] | after =[[Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour|Sir Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour]] | years = 1966–1968}}
|-
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{{succession box|title=[[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[British Army of the Rhine]]|years=1968–1970|before=[[John Hackett (British Army officer)|Sir John Hackett]]|after=[[Peter Hunt (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Hunt]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[British Army of the Rhine]]|years=1968–1970|before=[[John Hackett (British Army officer)|Sir John Hackett]]|after=[[Peter Hunt (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Hunt]]}}
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[[Category:2002 deaths]]
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[[Category:British Army generals]]
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[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
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[[Category:Blues and Royals officers]]
[[Category:Blues and Royals officers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Operation Overlord people]]
[[Category:Academics of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:People from Aldershot]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Aldershot]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]]
[[Category:NATO military personnel]]
[[Category:NATO military personnel]]
[[Category:FitzPatrick dynasty|Desmond]]
[[Category:FitzPatrick dynasty|Desmond]]
[[Category:War Office personnel in World War II]]

Latest revision as of 02:42, 10 November 2023

Sir

Desmond Fitzpatrick
Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick
Born(1912-12-14)14 December 1912
Aldershot, Hampshire, England
Died12 October 2002(2002-10-12) (aged 89)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1932–1974
RankGeneral
Service number53670
Unit1st The Royal Dragoons
Commands heldDeputy Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
British Army of the Rhine
Northern Ireland Command
Rhine Army Troops
1st The Royal Dragoons
8th King's Royal Irish Hussars
Battles/warsArab revolt in Palestine
Second World War
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Distinguished Service Order
Member of the Order of the British Empire
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Other workLieutenant Governor of Jersey
Gold Stick

General Sir Geoffrey Richard Desmond Fitzpatrick, GCB, GCVO, DSO, MBE, MC (14 December 1912 – 12 October 2002) was a senior British Army officer who served as commander of the British Army of the Rhine and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. After his retirement from the army he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jersey and later held a ceremonial position in the Royal Household.

Early life[edit]

Fitzpatrick was born on 14 December 1912 in Aldershot, the son of Sir Ernest Richard Fitzpatrick, a brigadier general.[1][2] He attended Eton College and then the Royal Military College Sandhurst, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st The Royal Dragoons on 1 September 1932.[3][4][5] He was promoted lieutenant three years later.[6] In 1938, his regiment was sent to Palestine to suppress the 1936–39 Arab revolt in Palestine, and on 22 December 1939 Fitzpatrick received the Military Cross for his role in operations there.[1][7]

Second World War[edit]

Fitzpatrick was promoted to captain on 1 September 1940.[8] In 1941, his regiment was dispatched to Syria, with him as adjutant, to join Operation Exporter, the allied invasion of territory controlled by Vichy France in the Middle East.[1][3] Fitzpatrick's regiment then participated in the Western Desert Campaign, in the reconnaissance role. After the operations there, he attended the British staff college at Haifa, and in June 1942 he became brigade major of the 2nd Armoured Brigade, where he helped to plan the Second Battle of El Alamein.[1] After the battle, by which time he was a temporary major, Fitzpatrick was Mentioned in Despatches on 24 June 1943,[9] and later appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), announced in the London Gazette in October 1943.[10] By now he was an acting lieutenant colonel.[10] The recommendation for the MBE credits his planning for he successful deployment of 2nd Armoured Brigade during the battle, and also comments on his "personal example, often under heavy shell fire" while at the Tactical HQ during the battle itself, from where he passed back valuable information to the higher-level formations which had a material effect on the outcome of the battle.[1][11]

Fitzpatrick next served as a staff officer with the US First Corps and in a position at the War Office, before rejoining his regiment in the Netherlands in 1944 and taking command of one of its squadrons.[1] In 1945, he took command of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, which served as the reconnaissance regiment of the 7th Armoured Division.[3] While commanding the regiment, Fitzpatrick helped capture the heavily-defended town of Tostedt, personally leading several reconnaissance missions.[1] Fitzpatrick's regiment also liberated the concentration camp at Fallingbostel, freeing 10,000 allied prisoners of war and 12,000 other prisoners.[3] His regiment also liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.[1] For his leadership during this period, by which time he was a temporary lieutenant colonel, he was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order on 14 July 1945.[12][13]

Post-war career[edit]

After the war, Fitzpatrick received substantive to promotion to major on 1 July 1946,[14] and held several staff assignments and became an instructor at the Staff College, Camberley.[1] He was promoted brevet lieutenant colonel on 1 July 1951,[15] and then assumed command of the 1st Royal Dragoons in the Suez Canal Zone.[1] He received substantive promotion to lieutenant colonel on 8 October 1952[16] and to colonel on 31 December 1953 (having held the rank on a temporary basis for a period before that).[17] In 1957, he became the Chief of Staff of the 1st Corps with the rank of temporary brigadier.[3] On 20 February 1959, he was appointed an Aide-de-Camp to the Queen,[18] and later in the year, Lord Mountbatten of Burma selected Fitzpatrick to serve as the first Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff.[1] He took up the post on 29 October 1959, with the temporary rank of major general,[19] and the rank was made substantive on 11 December 1959.[20] In this position, Fitzpatrick became known as a "master tactician in the corridors of power" and distinguished himself as an expert in both the political and military realms,[3] he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1961 Birthday Honours,[21] and relinquished the post on 28 October 1961.[22] As a result of his success, he became Director of Military Operations at the Ministry of Defence in 1962. In that role, he helped prepare the British intelligence estimate for the Cuban Missile Crisis and played an important role in various defence policy debates, including those over the Polaris Missile.[3] He relinquished the post on 14 February 1964.[23]

On 25 March 1964, he became the Chief of Staff of the British Army of the Rhine and General Officer Commanding Rhine Army Troops.[24] Then on 24 April 1965, he was promoted to temporary lieutenant general and became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Ireland Command,[25] the rank was made substantive on 4 June 1965. He was advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours, by which time, and he had also been appointed honorary colonel of the Royals.[26] He left Northern Ireland on 9 July 1966,[27] and succeeded Geoffrey Baker as Vice Chief of the General Staff on 25 July.[28][29] Next, on 1 May 1968 he relinquished that post,[30] and on 10 July he was given the local rank of general and appointed to command the British Army of the Rhine and the NATO Northern Army Group,[1][31] his rank became substantive on 1 October.[32] During his time with the Northern Army Group, Fitzpatrick became well respected among his NATO colleagues "for his intellectual capabilities and for his finesse in dealing with international problems" and acquired a reputation as a soldier with particular skill for diplomacy.[3] He relinquished the colonelcy of the Royals on 29 March 1969 when the regiment was amalgamated into the Blues and Royals, becoming deputy colonel of the new regiment until 9 December 1974.[33][34] He was appointed ADC (General) on 9 January 1970.[35]

Because of his skill and good reputation, Fitzpatrick appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) was announced in April 1970,[36] he took up the post on 1 December 1970,[37] and was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1971 New Year Honours.[38] He was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal Armoured Corps on 1 April 1971.[39] He served as DSACEUR until 12 November 1973,[40] and retired from the Army on 26 January 1974.[41]

Retirement[edit]

After retiring, Fitzpatrick was appointed to a five-year term Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, beginning in 1974.[3][42] He was appointed Colonel of the Blues and Royals (Gold Stick)[43] on 17 December 1979 and held the post until 1998.[1][44] He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1997 New Year Honours.[45] He died on 12 October 2002 at the age of 89.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick". The Daily Telegraph. UK. 18 October 2002.
  2. ^ "Brig.-Gen. Sir Ernest Richard Fitzpatrick". The Peerage. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick – Obituary". The Times. UK. 17 October 2002. p. 36.
  4. ^ "Scholarships for Army Officers". The Times. 30 September 1932. p. 5F.
  5. ^ "No. 33860". The London Gazette. 2 September 1932. p. 5622.
  6. ^ "No. 34195". The London Gazette. 3 September 1935. p. 5595.
  7. ^ "No. 34758". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 December 1939. p. 8529.
  8. ^ "No. 34936". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 August 1940. p. 5327.
  9. ^ "No. 36065". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 June 1943. p. 2853.
  10. ^ a b "No. 36209". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 October 1943. p. 4541.
  11. ^ "Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Member of British Empire(sic)" (fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  12. ^ "No. 37172". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 July 1945. p. 3590.
  13. ^ "Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)—Image details—Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Richard Desmond—Distinguished Service Order" (fee may be payable to view the original recommendation in full). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  14. ^ "No. 37635". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 June 1946. p. 3362.
  15. ^ "No. 39397". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1951. p. 6239.
  16. ^ "No. 39741". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1952. p. 79.
  17. ^ "No. 40100". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 February 1954. p. 991.
  18. ^ "No. 41638". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 February 1959. p. 1223.
  19. ^ "No. 41873". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 November 1959. p. 7353.
  20. ^ "No. 41890". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 December 1959. p. 7845.
  21. ^ "No. 42370". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1961. p. 4145.
  22. ^ "No. 42517". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 November 1961. p. 8435.
  23. ^ "No. 43244". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 February 1964. p. 1343.
  24. ^ "No. 43281". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 March 1964. p. 2757.
  25. ^ "No. 43665". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 1965. p. 5353.
  26. ^ "No. 43667". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1965. p. 5473.
  27. ^ "No. 44049". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 July 1966. p. 7817.
  28. ^ "New Vice-Chief of General Staff". The Times. 16 December 1965. p. 7D.
  29. ^ "No. 44062". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 July 1966. p. 8365.
  30. ^ "No. 44580". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 May 1968. p. 5181.
  31. ^ "No. 44639". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 1968. p. 8109.
  32. ^ "No. 44686". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 September 1968. p. 10529.
  33. ^ "No. 44819". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 March 1969. pp. 3453–3454.
  34. ^ "No. 46469". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 January 1975. p. 852.
  35. ^ "No. 45078". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 April 1970. p. 4173.
  36. ^ "News in Brief". The Times. 19 April 1970. p. 6D.
  37. ^ "No. 45240". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1970. p. 13110.
  38. ^ "No. 45262". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1970. p. 2.
  39. ^ "No. 45337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 April 1971. p. 3336.
  40. ^ "No. 46125". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 November 1973. p. 13472.
  41. ^ "No. 46194". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 January 1974. p. 1196.
  42. ^ "Latest Appointments". The Times. 6 October 1973. p. 4A.
  43. ^ Tomlinson, Richard (20 December 1992). "They also serve, who only ush". The Independent.
  44. ^ "No. 48080". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 January 1980. p. 1441.
  45. ^ "No. 54625". The London Gazette. 30 December 1996. p. 4.

External links[edit]

Honorary titles
Preceded by Colonel of 1st The Royal Dragoons
1964–1969 		Amalgamated to form Blues and Royals
New title
Regiment formed by amalgamation
 Deputy Colonel of the Blues and Royals
1969–1979 		Post abolished
Preceded by Colonel of the Blues and Royals
1979–1998 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland
1965–1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of the General Staff
1966–1968 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief of the British Army of the Rhine
1968–1970 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
1974–1979 		Succeeded by
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