Colonel 'Kate' Savill RIP

Kyt · Jan 23, 2008

Colonel 'Kate' Savill - Telegraph

Colonel "Kate" savill, who has died aged 101, commanded three regiments and during the Second World War led an epic advance in the last phase of the Italian campaign.

In 1943 Savill took command of the 12th Royal Lancers (12RL) in Tunisia and the following spring accompanied them to Italy. The Allied advance had been held at the Gustav Line, and 12RL, a cavalry regiment, went straight into action in a dismounted role on the line of the Sangro river.

Savill played a leading part in preventing belligerent generals from ordering the regiment to launch attacks across the river, arguing that the skilled members of armoured car squadrons were not expendable and would be needed for a vital role when the breakthrough happened.

On August 12 1944 the regimental HQ was based in a small manor house at Citerna, near Perugia. The Germans had recently withdrawn from the area and left the house in a very clean and habitable state - which was not their usual custom.

When he woke the next morning Savill noticed that on the outside of the door was written in chalk: "21/7 HD 13/14". He had a presentiment that there was a mine hidden in the house and timed to go off that day. He immediately ordered a search of the villa's cellars.

A large pile of brushwood concealed a pit six feet deep packed with dynamite and wired up to a clock which was ticking away.

It was defused with great courage and coolness by a Sapper officer. Had it exploded, it would have demolished the villa, taking everyone with it.

Following a sharp engagement at Forli, Savill was awarded a DSO. The citation stated that 12RL had fought brilliantly and that their success was to a large extent due to Savill's leadership. On many occasions, it added, he deliberately went to where the shelling and fire were heaviest to encourage the men with his calm bearing and cheerfulness.

In April 1945, after the breakthrough at the Argenta Gap, 12RL led the advance of 2nd New Zealand Division. Near Trieste, when his driver was killed by a sniper's bullet, Savill was wearing headphones and occupied with listening to incoming messages. He had to move very quickly to regain control of the vehicle before it went over a steep drop.

In the dash to Trieste, in 23 days 12RL advanced 220 miles, crossed 12 rivers, 10 of which had to be bridged, and captured 3,500 prisoners at the cost of one dead, and one officer and eight men wounded.

Kenneth Edward Savill was born at Three Bridges, Sussex, on August 8 1906 and was educated at Winchester. It was there that he was given the nickname "Kate", which was taken from a popular song.

After attending RMC Sandhurst, in 1926 Savill was commissioned into 12RL, which was then a mounted cavalry regiment but converted to armoured cars two years later.

In 1932 the regiment began a series of reconnaissances into Sinai and west of Cairo. One such journey, to the Siwa oasis, involved a trek of more than 1,100 miles in 20 days across roadless terrain using Rolls-Royce armoured cars.

Upon his return to England Savill transferred to the King's Dragoon Guards, who were still horsed and based at Secunderabad, India. He played polo for the regiment, ultimately achieving a useful handicap of three.

A number of staff appointments followed, including one with the BEF in France, where the HQ was almost captured.

During the evacuation, he was the last man on board a heavily over-loaded destroyer and said afterwards that he owed his freedom for the next five years to the patience of a naval officer who kept the gangway open when it seemed that there were no more British still ashore.

After a spell at the War Office, between 1942 and 1943, he commanded 161st Armoured Regiment, 12th Battalion the Green Howards. Towards the end of the latter year he was invited to rejoin 12RL and commanded them in the long slog north through Italy.

When peace came Savill returned to the War Office and worked with AG3 War Crimes department. In 1947 he commanded the Queen's Bays in the Canal Zone and subsequently in England and BAOR.

On leaving the regiment in 1950 he was promoted colonel and moved to AG17, the personnel branch of the RAC. He retired from the Army in 1954 to manage his farm in Hampshire.

A most generous host, he often invited members of the regiment to his shoot. He had a great sense of fun and an affinity with the young. During his last years it gave him much pleasure to reflect that he was the oldest surviving Wykehamist.

In 1955 Savill became a Gentleman at Arms of Her Majesty's Bodyguard and was later appointed CVO. The King's Dragoon Guards and the Queen's Bays having amalgamated, he was Colonel of 1st the Queen's Dragoon Guards from 1964 to 1968. He was High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1961 and a Deputy Lieutenant from 1963.

"Kate" Savill died on December 29. He married, in 1935, Jacqueline Salusbury Hughes. She and a daughter predeceased him. Two other daughters survive him.
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Antipodean Andy · Jan 23, 2008

An amazing innings. RIP

spidge · Jan 23, 2008

Good to see an old English gent with a ton!

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