General Sir Geoffrey Musson RIP

Kyt · Jan 18, 2008

General Sir Geoffrey Musson - Telegraph

General Sir Geoffrey Musson, who has died aged 97, took command of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (2DCLI) in North Africa at the lowest point in its fortunes and restored it to a first-rate fighting unit.

In May 1943 Musson, then a major in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) who had been GSO2 Operations at HQ 4th Division, took command of 2DCLI at Cape Bon, Tunisia. The battalion had taken very heavy casualties in fierce fighting a fortnight earlier at the battle of Point 133, a rocky feature which dominated the main British axis of advance to Tunis.

On the same day that he assumed command the battalion, already severely weakened, was ordered to dispatch a draft of nine officers and 277 soldiers to 1KSLI.

In December 1943 2DCLI, reinforced by drafts to bring it back to war establishment, embarked for Port Said and, after training at Kabrit, Egypt, arrived in Italy in February 1944. The task of the battalion, part of 4th Division, was to hold a mountainous bridgehead over the Garigliano river.

The ascent of Mount Ornito in driving rain and sleet required climbing up stony goat tracks in full marching order with steel helmet, weapon, ammunition and two blankets; it was an experience that few men forgot.

A short rest in mid-March was followed by a move to Colle Belvedere, north-east of Monte Cassino and, in May, an assault crossing of the Rapido river.

During the nights of the second week in May vast quantities of men, guns, ammunition and equipment were concealed in camouflaged positions close to the river. On the night of May 11 the entire divisional artillery opened up on every known German position.

After 45 minutes of intense fire the leading assault boats were launched. Two companies of 2DCLI manned the crossing, ferrying the forward battalions across the river. The Germans retaliated, subjecting the main crossing to every sort of fire, but by 4am a shallow bridgehead had been established on the far bank.

Throughout the next night the Royal Engineers worked under heavy shelling to build a Bailey bridge over the river. On May 13 two companies of 2DCLI crossed the Rapido, each with a troop of Sherman tanks from 17th/21st Lancers. Musson rode on the leading tank, and led the battalion up to the start line for the next phase of the battle. He was awarded a DSO.

Geoffrey Randolph Dixon Musson was born at Yockleton, Shropshire, on June 9 1910 and educated at Shrewsbury before going up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, to read History. He was commissioned into the KSLI from the university in 1930.

Musson's first year of service with the 2nd Battalion was followed by five years with the 1st Battalion in India. He was adjutant at the depot from 1937 to 1940 before moving to 5KSLI as second-in-command.

After attending the Staff College War Course, Musson became brigade major 12 Infantry Brigade and then GSO2 4 Infantry Brigade before taking command of 2DCLI.

In August 1944 the battalion captured the monastery at Incontro, a formidable fortress on one of the steep hills dominating the approach to the river Arno. Field Marshal Lord Alexander said later that the action was a model of what a daylight attack by a battalion group on a strong position should be.

Musson was capable of cool, considered judgment at times of crisis, but he had great warmth that inspired loyalty, and his men knew that he would not risk their lives unless it was worth it.

In October 1944 he became Colonel GS of the British Increment of the Fifth (US) Army and in the same year was appointed Commander 36th Infantry Brigade.

After the war he did a tour at the Staff College as an instructor before moving to BAOR, where he had two staff appointments. He attended the Imperial Defence College and, in 1954, commanded the 1st Commonwealth Division in Korea.

Following a spell at the War Office he was Commandant of the School of Infantry, Warminster, and then commanded 7th Armoured Division in BAOR. He commanded 5th Division in 1958-59 and was Chief of Staff Middle East Land Forces from 1959 to 1962.

In 1963 Musson was appointed Vice-Adjutant General at the War Office (subsequently MoD) before moving to Northern Command as GOC-in-C. He became Adjutant-General in 1967 and was promoted general the following year. He retired from the Army in 1970.

He was vice-chairman of the National Savings Committee and chairman of HM Forces Savings Committee from 1970 to 1978. He had a passion for National Hunt racing, deriving much enjoyment from belonging to owners' syndicates.

Musson was colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry from 1963 to 1968 and of the Light Infantry from 1968 to 1972. He was president of the Victory Services Club from 1970 to 1980. Having been appointed CBE in 1945 and CB in 1959, he was knighted in 1965 and advanced to GCB in 1970.

Geoffrey Musson died on January 10. He married, in 1939, Elspeth Bailey. She survives him with their son. A daughter predeceased him.
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spidge · Jan 18, 2008

Another very full and fruitful career and another long marriage!

Antipodean Andy · Jan 19, 2008

And another one to survive only to lose one of his children.

spidge · Jan 19, 2008

Andy in West Oz said: ↑

And another one to survive only to lose one of his children.
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Noticed quite alot of those too!

Sad isn't it!

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General Sir Geoffrey Musson RIP

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