David Liddell RIP

Kyt · Apr 10, 2008

David Liddell | Times Online Obituary

Commissioned into the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) early in the war, David Liddell had his first brush with the enemy while under training in Scotland with the 12th Battalion.

When he was returning to his billet from a dance early one morning in May 1941, a member of the Home Guard gave him the codeword for the anticipated German invasion. He then received orders to take his company to a grid reference on the nearby moor, where he was concerned to meet in the dark another company wearing unfamiliar steel helmets.

They turned out to be Poles and the “invasion” consisted of the lone person of Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, who had landed on a mysterious mission — supposedly bringing peace proposals.

When the 12th Cameronians landed at Taranto in Southern Italy in late 1943, Liddell was commanding a company detached as reinforcements to the 5th Battalion The Essex Regiment in the 8th Indian Division.

On December 23 5th Essex were involved in the attack on Villa Grande, north of Termoli on the Adriatic coast, as part of the 8th Army’s advance. The place was expertly defended by elements of the German 1st Parachute Division, and although Liddell’s company sustained serious casualties he managed to secure a foothold on the edge of the village. Seeing his forward sections held up by machinegun fire, Liddell crawled to a flank and killed the gun-crew with two grenades, allowing the advance to continue.

Although he was wounded in the eye, Liddell remained with his men until they were secure in the village. Soon after return from field hospital, he was more seriously wounded by a shell hitting a barn in which he had taken shelter, and he was evacuated to England. He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at Villa Grande.

On demobilisation at the end of the war, he became a member of Lloyd’s and eventually the managing director and later chairman of his company.

He retired from the City in 1968 to manage an estate at Shirenewton in Monmouthshire, inherited from his father, where his herd of Friesians won a number of prizes, including the Supreme Champion at the London Dairy Show.

Liddell later lived for some years in Scotland, before finally retiring to Dorset.

His wife Joan, née Russell, predeceased him, and he is survived by two sons and a daughter.

David Liddell, MC, soldier, insurance broker and farmer, was born on January 9, 1917. He died on March 20, 2008, aged 91
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Andy M · Apr 10, 2008

Another true Hero gone. Thanks for your serive Mr. Liddell. Rest well.

Regards,

Andy

Antipodean Andy · Apr 10, 2008

Never ceases to amaze me the success a lot of these guys have after the war. They apply themselves as passionately as they served. RIP.

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