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{{Short description|British Army officer (1885–1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix= Sir
|name= Sir William Platt
|name= William Platt
|image= War Office Second World War Official Collection E871.jpg
|image= War Office Second World War Official Collection E871.jpg
|caption= William Platt inspecting troops in World War II
|caption= William Platt inspecting troops during the Second World War
|nickname= "The Kaid"
|nickname= "The Kaid"
|birth_date= {{birth date|1885|06|14|df=yes}}
|birth_date= {{birth date|1885|06|14|df=yes}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1975|09|28|1885|06|14|df=yes}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1975|09|28|1885|06|14|df=yes}}
|birth_place= Brooklands, [[Cheshire]], [[England]]
|birth_place= [[Brooklands, Greater Manchester|Brooklands, Cheshire]], [[England]]
|death_place= [[London]], England
|death_place= [[London]], England
|allegiance= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch= {{army|United Kingdom}}
|branch= {{army|United Kingdom}}
|serviceyears= 1905–1945
|serviceyears= 1905–1945
|servicenumber= 9000
|rank= [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|rank= [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|unit= [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers|Northumberland Fusiliers]]<br/>[[Wiltshire Regiment]]
|unit= [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers|Northumberland Fusiliers]]<br/>[[Wiltshire Regiment]]
|commands= 2nd Battalion, [[Wiltshire Regiment]]<br/>[[7th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East|7th Infantry Brigade]]<br/>[[Sudan Defence Force]]<br/>[[East Africa Command]]
|commands= 2nd Battalion, [[Wiltshire Regiment]]<br/>[[7th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East|7th Infantry Brigade]]<br/>[[Sudan Defence Force]]<br/>[[East Africa Command]]
|battles= [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]]<br/>[[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]
|battles= [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]]<br/>[[World War I|First World War]]<br/>[[World War II|Second World War]]
|awards= [[Order of the British Empire|Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35841| date=29 December 1942|page=9}}</ref><br/>[[Order of the Bath|Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=38176| date=30 May 1942|page=3091}}</ref><br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Mentioned in dispatches]] (6)<br/>[[Order of the Nile|Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile]] (Egypt)<br/>[[Order of the Star of Ethiopia|Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia]]<br/>[[Legion of Honour|Commander of the Legion of Honour]] (France)
|awards= [[Order of the British Empire|Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35841| date=29 December 1942|page=9}}</ref><br/>[[Order of the Bath|Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=38176| date=30 May 1942|page=3091}}</ref><br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Mentioned in dispatches]] (6)<br/>[[Order of the Nile|Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile]] (Egypt)<br/>[[Order of the Star of Ethiopia|Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia]]<br/>[[Legion of Honour|Commander of the Legion of Honour]] (France)
|laterwork= Colonel of The Wiltshire Regiment (1942–54)<br/>Director, Messrs. [[Mather and Platt]] Ltd., Manchester (1946–57)
|laterwork= Colonel of The Wiltshire Regiment (1942–54)<br/>Director, Messrs. [[Mather and Platt]] Ltd., Manchester (1946–57)
}}
}}
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir William Platt''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GBE|KCB|DSO}} (14 June 1885 – 28 September 1975) was a senior [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] of the [[British Army]] during both [[World War I]] and [[World War II]].
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir William Platt''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GBE|KCB|DSO}} (14 June 1885 – 28 September 1975) was a senior [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] of the [[British Army]] during both the [[World War I|First]] and the [[World War II|Second World Wars]].


==Early years==
==Early years==
Platt was educated at [[Marlborough College]] and the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]].
Platt was educated at [[Marlborough College]] and the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]].{{sfn|Smart|2005|p=252}}


On graduating from the latter, Platt was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] into the [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers|Northumberland Fusiliers]] in August 1905.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27827| date=15 August 1905|page=5620}}</ref> From 1908 to 1914 he served on the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]] in [[British Raj|India]] where he won the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO) and was [[mentioned in despatches]] for the first of six such citations.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28199| date=24 November 1908|page=8698}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28168| date=14 August 1908|page=6058| supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35120| date=28 March 1941|page=1870| supp=y}}</ref> Platt was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] in June 1909<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28288| date=14 September 1909|page=6875}}</ref> and captain in November 1914.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28986| date=24 November 1914|page=9971| supp=y}}</ref>
On graduating from the latter, Platt was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] into the [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers|Northumberland Fusiliers]] in August 1905.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27827| date=15 August 1905|page=5620}}</ref> From 1908 to 1914, he served on the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]] in [[British Raj|India]] where he won the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO) and was [[mentioned in despatches]] for the first of six such citations.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28199| date=24 November 1908|page=8698}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28168| date=14 August 1908|page=6058| supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35120| date=28 March 1941|page=1870| supp=y}}</ref> Platt was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] in June 1909<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28288| date=14 September 1909|page=6875}}</ref> and captain in November 1914.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28986| date=24 November 1914|page=9971| supp=y}}</ref>


==First World War==
==First World War==
From 1914 to 1918, Platt fought in France and Belgium on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] during the [[World War I|First World War]]. Between 1915 and 1916, he was appointed [[brigade major]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29073| date=16 February 1915|page=1676| supp=y}}</ref> of the [[103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade]], a [[Kitchener's Army]] formation, and was promoted [[Acting (rank)|brevet]] [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] in December 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29886| date=29 December 1916|page=18| supp=y}}</ref> Between 1916 and 1917, Platt was a [[Staff (military)|General Staff Officer Grade 2]] (GSO2)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29874| date=19 December 1916|page=12451| supp=y}}</ref> of the [[21st Division (United Kingdom)|21st Division]], another Kitchener's Army formation. In 1917, he was made a GSO2 of [[II Anzac Corps|II Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]] in France. This corps was later reformed as the [[XXII Corps (United Kingdom)|British XXII Corps]]. In 1918 he was appointed GSO1 in the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30882| date=3 September 1918|page=10484| supp=y}}</ref>
From 1914 to 1918, Platt fought in France and Belgium on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] during the [[World War I|First World War]]. Between 1915 and 1916, he was appointed [[brigade major]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29073| date=16 February 1915|page=1676| supp=y}}</ref> of the [[103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade]], a [[Kitchener's Army]] formation, and was promoted [[Acting rank|brevet]] [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] in December 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29886| date=29 December 1916|page=18| supp=y}}</ref> Between 1916 and 1917, Platt was a [[Staff (military)|General Staff Officer Grade 2]] (GSO2)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29874| date=19 December 1916|page=12451| supp=y}}</ref> of the [[21st Division (United Kingdom)|21st Division]], another Kitchener's Army formation. In 1917, he was made a GSO2 of [[II Anzac Corps|II Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]] in France. This corps was later reformed as the [[XXII Corps (United Kingdom)|British XXII Corps]]. In 1918 he was appointed GSO1 in the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30882| date=3 September 1918|page=10484| supp=y}}</ref>


==Between the wars==
==Between the wars==
After attending the [[Staff College, Camberley]] from 1919 to 1920, Platt was GSO1 of the [[37th Division (United Kingdom)|37th Division]]. In 1920 he once more became a brigade major,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=31776| date=10 February 1920|page=1789| supp=y}}</ref> this time of the [[12th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|12th Brigade]], [[Eastern Command (United Kingdom)|Eastern Command]] and then until 1922 Galway Brigade, Irish Command, after which he returned to regimental duties.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32669| date=11 April 1922|page=3004| supp=y}}</ref> Platt's permanent rank was advanced to major in January 1924,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32912| date=26 February 1924|page=1722}}</ref> simultaneous with the award of brevet lieutenant colonel status.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32927| date=15 April 1924|page=3101}}</ref> In March 1924 Platt once again received an appointment as brigade major,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32930| date=25 April 1924|page=3346}}</ref> this time for two years in Egypt. In late 1927 Platt returned to the War Office in London, taking the post of Deputy Assistant Adjutant General on the [[Adjutant-General to the Forces|Adjutant-General's]] staff.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33342| date=30 December 1927|page=8370}}</ref> His promotion to substantive lieutenant colonel rank came in 1930 simultaneous with his transfer to the [[Wiltshire Regiment]] to command its 2nd Battalion.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33640| date=2 September 1930|page=5426}}</ref> On completion of this tour of duty in January 1933 Platt was promoted full colonel,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33907| date=31 January 1933|page=671}}</ref> and appointed as the GSO1 of the [[3rd Division (United Kingdom)|3rd Division]], [[Bulford Camp|Bulford]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33907| date=31 January 1933|page=672}}</ref> In October 1934 Platt was given command of [[7th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East|7th Infantry Brigade]] in the rank of temporary brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34099| date=26 October 1934|page=6788}}</ref> From 1937<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34414| date=2 July 1937|page=4249}}</ref> to 1938, he was [[aide-de-camp]] to the [[George VI|King]] and in late 1938 Platt was promoted to major general<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34574| date=25 November 1938|page=7433}}</ref> to take up the appointment as Commandant of the [[Sudan Defence Force]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34574| date=25 November 1938|page=7434}}</ref> In this role he carried the Arabic title of ''al-qa'id al-'amm'' ("the Leader of the Army") and was often referred to simply as "the Kaid".<ref>Richard Mead, p. 352</ref> He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in 1939.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34633| date=6 June 1939|page=3854| supp=y}}</ref>
After attending the [[Staff College, Camberley]] from 1919 to 1920,{{sfn|Smart|2005|p=252}} Platt was GSO1 of the [[37th Division (United Kingdom)|37th Division]]. In 1920, he once more became a brigade major,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=31776| date=10 February 1920|page=1789| supp=y}}</ref> this time of the [[12th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|12th Brigade]], [[Eastern Command (United Kingdom)|Eastern Command]] and then, until 1922, Galway Brigade, Irish Command, after which he returned to regimental duties.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32669| date=11 April 1922|page=3004| supp=y}}</ref> Platt's permanent rank was advanced to major in January 1924,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32912| date=26 February 1924|page=1722}}</ref> simultaneous with the award of brevet lieutenant-colonel status.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32927| date=15 April 1924|page=3101}}</ref>
In March 1924, Platt once again received an appointment as brigade major,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32930| date=25 April 1924|page=3346}}</ref> this time for two years in Egypt. In late 1927, Platt returned to the War Office in London, taking the post of Deputy Assistant Adjutant General on the [[Adjutant-General to the Forces|Adjutant-General's]] staff.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33342| date=30 December 1927|page=8370}}</ref> His promotion to substantive lieutenant-colonel rank came in 1930 simultaneous with his transfer to the [[Wiltshire Regiment]] to command its 2nd Battalion.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33640| date=2 September 1930|page=5426}}</ref> On completion of this tour of duty in January 1933 Platt was promoted full colonel,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33907| date=31 January 1933|page=671}}</ref> and appointed as the GSO1 of the [[3rd (United Kingdom) Division|3rd Division]], [[Bulford Camp|Bulford]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33907| date=31 January 1933|page=672}}</ref>
In October 1934, Platt was given command of [[7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team|7th Infantry Brigade]] in the rank of temporary brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34099| date=26 October 1934|page=6788}}</ref> From 1937<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34414| date=2 July 1937|page=4249}}</ref> to 1938, he was [[aide-de-camp]] to the [[George VI|King]] and in late 1938 Platt was promoted to major-general<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34574| date=25 November 1938|page=7433}}</ref> to take up the appointment as Commandant of the [[Sudan Defence Force]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34574| date=25 November 1938|page=7434}}</ref> In this role he carried the Arabic title of ''al-qa'id al-'amm'' ("the Leader of the Army") and was often referred to simply as "the Kaid".{{sfn|Mead|2007|p=352}} He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in 1939.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34633| date=6 June 1939|page=3854| supp=y}}</ref>


==Second World War==
==Second World War==
As a result of the threat from Italian forces in [[Italian East Africa]], Platt's modest forces in Sudan were reinforced in late 1940 and early 1941, primarily by the arrival of the [[Indian 4th Infantry Division]] and the [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]]. In recognition of his larger corps-sized command he was promoted acting lieutenant general in January 1941.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35089| date=25 February 1941|page=1198| supp=y}}</ref> He commanded the forces invading Italian East Africa from Sudan during the [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]]. After re-taking the abandoned Kassala railway junction in Sudan on 18 January 1941, Platt advanced into [[Eritrea]] and captured Agordat on 28 January. He next faced strong Italian resistance at Keren. From 3 March to 1 April, Platt's leadership played a large part in the successful outcome of the [[Battle of Keren]]. The Eritrean capital, Asmara, was taken by the [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]] on 1 April while Keren was still being mopped up by the [[Indian 4th Infantry Division]]. After the battle of Keren, Platt lost the Indian 4th Infantry Division which returned to Egypt. On 8 April, the port city of Massawa surrendered. The forces still under Platt then marched on [[Amba Alagi]].
As a result of the threat from Italian forces in [[Italian East Africa]], Platt's modest forces in Sudan were reinforced in late 1940 and early 1941, primarily by the arrival of the [[Indian 4th Infantry Division]] and the [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]]. In recognition of his larger corps-sized command he was promoted acting lieutenant-general in January 1941.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35089| date=25 February 1941|page=1198| supp=y}}</ref>
He commanded the forces invading Italian East Africa from Sudan during the [[East African campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]]. After re-taking the abandoned Kassala railway junction in Sudan on 18 January 1941, Platt advanced into [[Eritrea]] and captured Agordat on 28 January. He next faced strong Italian resistance at Keren. From 3 March to 1 April, Platt's leadership played a large part in the successful outcome of the [[Battle of Keren]].{{cn|date=January 2023}}
The Eritrean capital, Asmara, was taken by the [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]] on 1 April while Keren was still being mopped up by the [[Indian 4th Infantry Division]]. After the battle of Keren, Platt lost the Indian 4th Infantry Division which returned to Egypt. On 8 April, the port city of Massawa surrendered. The forces still under Platt then marched on [[Amba Alagi]].{{cn|date=January 2023}}


Platt's forces, advancing from the Sudan, met the forces of Lieutenant General [[Alan Cunningham]], advancing from Kenya, at Amba Alagi. A large Italian force under [[Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta|Amedeo, Duke of Aosta]], was dug in at Amba Alagi in what it considered impregnable positions. The [[Battle of Amba Alagi (1941)|Battle of Amba Alagi]] started on 3 May. On 18 May, the Duke of Aosta surrendered his embattled force and the campaign in East Africa was all but over.
Platt's forces, advancing from the Sudan, met the forces of Lieutenant-General [[Alan Cunningham]], advancing from Kenya, at Amba Alagi. A large Italian force under [[Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta|Amedeo, Duke of Aosta]], was dug in at Amba Alagi in what it considered impregnable positions. The [[Battle of Amba Alagi (1941)|Battle of Amba Alagi]] started on 3 May. On 18 May, the Duke of Aosta surrendered his embattled force and the campaign in East Africa was all but over.{{cn|date=January 2023}}


From 1941 to 1945, Platt was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[East Africa Command]], which although no longer a theatre of war was an important source of manpower. Platt raised seventeen new battalions of the [[King's African Rifles]].<ref>Richard Mead, p. 355</ref> From 1942<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35629| date=10 July 1942|page=3086}}</ref> to 1954, Platt was the honorary colonel of the [[Wiltshire Regiment]]. His lieutenant general rank was made permanent in May 1941<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35175| date=27 May 1941|page=3071| supp=y}}</ref> and he was promoted to general in January 1943.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=36139| date=17 August 1943|page=3727| supp=y}}</ref> He retired from the army in April 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=37033| date=13 April 1945|page=2011| supp=y}}</ref>
From 1941 to 1945, Platt was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the [[East Africa Command]], which although no longer a theatre of war was an important source of manpower. Platt raised seventeen new battalions of the [[King's African Rifles]].{{sfn|Mead|2007|p=355}} From 1942<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35629| date=10 July 1942|page=3086}}</ref> to 1954, Platt was the honorary colonel of the [[Wiltshire Regiment]]. His lieutenant-general rank was made permanent in May 1941<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=35175| date=27 May 1941|page=3071| supp=y}}</ref> and he was promoted to general in January 1943.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=36139| date=17 August 1943|page=3727| supp=y}}</ref> He retired from the army in April 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=37033| date=13 April 1945|page=2011| supp=y}}</ref>


==Honours and awards==
==Honours and awards==
Line 43: Line 54:


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
After his retirement from the army Platt joined his family's business, [[Mather & Platt]], where he served as a director until 1957.
After his retirement from the army Platt joined his family's business, [[Mather & Platt]], where he served as a director until 1957.{{cn|date=January 2023}}


==Army career summary==
==Army career summary==
Line 60: Line 71:
* General Officer Commanding, Northern Front, [[Eritrea]] and [[Ethiopia]] – 1941
* General Officer Commanding, Northern Front, [[Eritrea]] and [[Ethiopia]] – 1941
* Commander in Chief, East Africa Command – 1941 to 1945
* Commander in Chief, East Africa Command – 1941 to 1945

==Notes==
⚫
{{Reflist|30em}}


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |first=Compton |last=Mackenzie |authorlink=Compton Mackenzie |title=Eastern Epic: September 1939 – March 1943 Defence |volume=I |publisher=Chatto & Windus |location=London |year=1951 |oclc=1412578}}
* {{cite book |first=Compton |last=Mackenzie |authorlink=Compton Mackenzie |title=Eastern Epic: September 1939 – March 1943 Defence |volume=I |publisher=Chatto & Windus |location=London |year=1951 |oclc=1412578}}
* {{Cite book| first=Richard| last=Mead| title=Churchill's Lions: a biographical guide to the key British generals of World War II| year=2007| publisher=Spellmount| location=Stroud (UK)| isbn=978-1-86227-431-0}}
* {{Cite book| first=Richard| last=Mead| title=Churchill's Lions: a biographical guide to the key British generals of World War II| year=2007| publisher=Spellmount| location=Stroud (UK)| isbn=978-1-86227-431-0}}
* {{cite book| first=Nick| last=Smart| title=Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War| isbn=1844150496| year=2005| location=Barnesley| publisher=Pen & Sword}}
* {{cite book| first=Nick| last=Smart| title=Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War| isbn=1844150496| year=2005| location=Barnesley| publisher=Pen & Sword}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/OOBDefault.aspx |title=Orders of Battle.com |accessdate=25 July 2007 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.unithistories.com/units_index/default.asp?file=../units_index/documents.asp? |title=World War II unit histories and officers|accessdate=25 July 2007 |last=Houterman |first=Hans|author2=Koppes, Jeroen }}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_P02.html Short biography of William Platt at www.unithistories.com]
*[https://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_P02.html#Platt_W British Army Officers 1939−1945]
*[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/PLATT-General-Sir-William.pdf General Sir William PLATT] – Biographies at www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk
*[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/PLATT-General-Sir-William.pdf General Sir William PLATT] – Biographies at www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk
*[https://generals.dk/general/Platt/William/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]
*[https://generals.dk/general/Platt/William/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]
Line 88: Line 97:
[[Category:1885 births]]
[[Category:1885 births]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:People educated at Marlborough College]]
[[Category:People educated at Marlborough College]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
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[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Sudan Defence Force officers]]
[[Category:Sudan Defence Force officers]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Cheshire]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Manchester]]
⚫
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:People from Cheshire]]

Latest revision as of 20:14, 28 March 2024

Sir

William Platt
William Platt inspecting troops during the Second World War
Nickname(s)"The Kaid"
Born(1885-06-14)14 June 1885
Brooklands, Cheshire, England
Died28 September 1975(1975-09-28) (aged 90)
London, England
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1905–1945
RankGeneral
Service number9000
UnitNorthumberland Fusiliers
Wiltshire Regiment
Commands held2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
7th Infantry Brigade
Sudan Defence Force
East Africa Command
Battles/warsNorth-West Frontier
First World War
Second World War
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire[1]
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath[2]
Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in dispatches (6)
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile (Egypt)
Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia
Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
Other workColonel of The Wiltshire Regiment (1942–54)
Director, Messrs. Mather and Platt Ltd., Manchester (1946–57)

General Sir William Platt GBE, KCB, DSO (14 June 1885 – 28 September 1975) was a senior officer of the British Army during both the First and the Second World Wars.

Early years[edit]

Platt was educated at Marlborough College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.[3]

On graduating from the latter, Platt was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Northumberland Fusiliers in August 1905.[4] From 1908 to 1914, he served on the North-West Frontier in India where he won the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and was mentioned in despatches for the first of six such citations.[5][6][7] Platt was promoted to lieutenant in June 1909[8] and captain in November 1914.[9]

First World War[edit]

From 1914 to 1918, Platt fought in France and Belgium on the Western Front during the First World War. Between 1915 and 1916, he was appointed brigade major[10] of the 103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade, a Kitchener's Army formation, and was promoted brevet major in December 1916.[11] Between 1916 and 1917, Platt was a General Staff Officer Grade 2 (GSO2)[12] of the 21st Division, another Kitchener's Army formation. In 1917, he was made a GSO2 of II Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in France. This corps was later reformed as the British XXII Corps. In 1918 he was appointed GSO1 in the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel.[13]

Between the wars[edit]

After attending the Staff College, Camberley from 1919 to 1920,[3] Platt was GSO1 of the 37th Division. In 1920, he once more became a brigade major,[14] this time of the 12th Brigade, Eastern Command and then, until 1922, Galway Brigade, Irish Command, after which he returned to regimental duties.[15] Platt's permanent rank was advanced to major in January 1924,[16] simultaneous with the award of brevet lieutenant-colonel status.[17]

In March 1924, Platt once again received an appointment as brigade major,[18] this time for two years in Egypt. In late 1927, Platt returned to the War Office in London, taking the post of Deputy Assistant Adjutant General on the Adjutant-General's staff.[19] His promotion to substantive lieutenant-colonel rank came in 1930 simultaneous with his transfer to the Wiltshire Regiment to command its 2nd Battalion.[20] On completion of this tour of duty in January 1933 Platt was promoted full colonel,[21] and appointed as the GSO1 of the 3rd Division, Bulford.[22]

In October 1934, Platt was given command of 7th Infantry Brigade in the rank of temporary brigadier.[23] From 1937[24] to 1938, he was aide-de-camp to the King and in late 1938 Platt was promoted to major-general[25] to take up the appointment as Commandant of the Sudan Defence Force.[26] In this role he carried the Arabic title of al-qa'id al-'amm ("the Leader of the Army") and was often referred to simply as "the Kaid".[27] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1939.[28]

Second World War[edit]

As a result of the threat from Italian forces in Italian East Africa, Platt's modest forces in Sudan were reinforced in late 1940 and early 1941, primarily by the arrival of the Indian 4th Infantry Division and the Indian 5th Infantry Division. In recognition of his larger corps-sized command he was promoted acting lieutenant-general in January 1941.[29]

He commanded the forces invading Italian East Africa from Sudan during the East African Campaign. After re-taking the abandoned Kassala railway junction in Sudan on 18 January 1941, Platt advanced into Eritrea and captured Agordat on 28 January. He next faced strong Italian resistance at Keren. From 3 March to 1 April, Platt's leadership played a large part in the successful outcome of the Battle of Keren.[citation needed]

The Eritrean capital, Asmara, was taken by the Indian 5th Infantry Division on 1 April while Keren was still being mopped up by the Indian 4th Infantry Division. After the battle of Keren, Platt lost the Indian 4th Infantry Division which returned to Egypt. On 8 April, the port city of Massawa surrendered. The forces still under Platt then marched on Amba Alagi.[citation needed]

Platt's forces, advancing from the Sudan, met the forces of Lieutenant-General Alan Cunningham, advancing from Kenya, at Amba Alagi. A large Italian force under Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, was dug in at Amba Alagi in what it considered impregnable positions. The Battle of Amba Alagi started on 3 May. On 18 May, the Duke of Aosta surrendered his embattled force and the campaign in East Africa was all but over.[citation needed]

From 1941 to 1945, Platt was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the East Africa Command, which although no longer a theatre of war was an important source of manpower. Platt raised seventeen new battalions of the King's African Rifles.[30] From 1942[31] to 1954, Platt was the honorary colonel of the Wiltshire Regiment. His lieutenant-general rank was made permanent in May 1941[32] and he was promoted to general in January 1943.[33] He retired from the army in April 1945.[34]

Honours and awards[edit]

In addition to his British honours, Platt also received the Egyptian Order of the Nile (1st Class) in 1942,[35] the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia in 1945,[36] and the French Légion d'Honneur in 1945.

Aftermath[edit]

After his retirement from the army Platt joined his family's business, Mather & Platt, where he served as a director until 1957.[citation needed]

Army career summary[edit]

  • Commissioned officer, Northumberland Fusiliers – 1905 to 1914
  • Captain, Northumberland Fusiliers – 1914 to 1915
  • Brigade-Major, 103rd Infantry Brigade – 1915 to 1916
  • General Staff Officer, Grade 2, of the 21st Division – 1916 to 1917
  • General Staff Officer, Grade 2, of the 2nd Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – 1917 to 1918
  • General Staff Officer, Grade 1, of the 37th Division – 1918 to 1920
  • Brigade-Major, 12 Infantry Brigade, 1st Eastern Command and Galway Brigade, Irish Command – 1920 to 1922
  • Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment – 1930 to 1933
  • General Staff Officer 1, 3rd Division – 1933 to 1934
  • Commanding Officer 7th Brigade – 1934 to 1938
  • General Officer Commanding, British Troops in Sudan – 1938 to 1941
  • General Officer Commanding, Sudan Defence Force – 1938 to 1941
  • General Officer Commanding, Northern Front, Eritrea and Ethiopia – 1941
  • Commander in Chief, East Africa Command – 1941 to 1945

References[edit]

  1. ^ "No. 35841". The London Gazette. 29 December 1942. p. 9.
  2. ^ "No. 38176". The London Gazette. 30 May 1942. p. 3091.
  3. ^ a b Smart 2005, p. 252.
  4. ^ "No. 27827". The London Gazette. 15 August 1905. p. 5620.
  5. ^ "No. 28199". The London Gazette. 24 November 1908. p. 8698.
  6. ^ "No. 28168". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 August 1908. p. 6058.
  7. ^ "No. 35120". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 March 1941. p. 1870.
  8. ^ "No. 28288". The London Gazette. 14 September 1909. p. 6875.
  9. ^ "No. 28986". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 November 1914. p. 9971.
  10. ^ "No. 29073". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 February 1915. p. 1676.
  11. ^ "No. 29886". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1916. p. 18.
  12. ^ "No. 29874". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 December 1916. p. 12451.
  13. ^ "No. 30882". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 September 1918. p. 10484.
  14. ^ "No. 31776". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 February 1920. p. 1789.
  15. ^ "No. 32669". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 April 1922. p. 3004.
  16. ^ "No. 32912". The London Gazette. 26 February 1924. p. 1722.
  17. ^ "No. 32927". The London Gazette. 15 April 1924. p. 3101.
  18. ^ "No. 32930". The London Gazette. 25 April 1924. p. 3346.
  19. ^ "No. 33342". The London Gazette. 30 December 1927. p. 8370.
  20. ^ "No. 33640". The London Gazette. 2 September 1930. p. 5426.
  21. ^ "No. 33907". The London Gazette. 31 January 1933. p. 671.
  22. ^ "No. 33907". The London Gazette. 31 January 1933. p. 672.
  23. ^ "No. 34099". The London Gazette. 26 October 1934. p. 6788.
  24. ^ "No. 34414". The London Gazette. 2 July 1937. p. 4249.
  25. ^ "No. 34574". The London Gazette. 25 November 1938. p. 7433.
  26. ^ "No. 34574". The London Gazette. 25 November 1938. p. 7434.
  27. ^ Mead 2007, p. 352.
  28. ^ "No. 34633". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 June 1939. p. 3854.
  29. ^ "No. 35089". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 February 1941. p. 1198.
  30. ^ Mead 2007, p. 355.
  31. ^ "No. 35629". The London Gazette. 10 July 1942. p. 3086.
  32. ^ "No. 35175". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 May 1941. p. 3071.
  33. ^ "No. 36139". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 August 1943. p. 3727.
  34. ^ "No. 37033". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 April 1945. p. 2011.
  35. ^ "No. 35739". The London Gazette. 9 October 1942. p. 4397.
  36. ^ "No. 36961". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 February 1945. p. 1187.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Mackenzie, Compton (1951). Eastern Epic: September 1939 – March 1943 Defence. Vol. I. London: Chatto & Windus. OCLC 1412578.
  • Mead, Richard (2007). Churchill's Lions: a biographical guide to the key British generals of World War II. Stroud (UK): Spellmount. ISBN 978-1-86227-431-0.
  • Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.

External links[edit]

Military offices
Preceded by
Harry Wetherall
(As GOC East Africa Force)
 GOC East Africa Command
1941–1945 		Succeeded by
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