Airborne Assault MuseumArticle
Italy
The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, r...
Robert Burrell Frederick Kinglake Goldsmith was commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1927.He served on three occasions with airborne forces during World War II, latterly as Deputy Chief of Staff of the 1st Allied Airborne Army.
Goldsmith also served as General Staff Officer (Grade 1) Operations with 1st Airborne Division during the Sicily and Italy campaigns, for which he was later Mentioned in Despatches and recommended for an OBE (see Medal Citation).
Although this recommendation was not endorsed, he was later awarded the US Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) in June 1945. He was also made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1952 and a Companion of the Bath (CB) in 1955.
Goldsmith rose to the rank of Major General and finished his Army career as General Officer Commanding Catterick Area, retiring in 1962.
Service History
- 1927 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Captain)
- 1939 General Staff Officer 3rd Grade (GSO3) (Captain)
- 1939 General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (GSO2) (Temporary Major)
- 1941 Specially employed (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
- 1942 HQ 1st Airborne Division (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
- 1942 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
- 1943 HQ 1st Airborne Division (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
- 1944 HQ 1st Allied Airborne Army (Acting Colonel)
- 1946 General Staff Officer 1st Grade (GSO1) (Lieutenant-Colonel)
- 1950 131 Infantry Brigade (Temporary Brigadier)
- 1951 Chief of Staff Headquarters British Troops in Egypt (Temporary Brigadier)
- 1954 Deputy Director Personnel Services War Office (Brigadier)
- 1956 Chief of Staff Headquarters Western Command (Major-General)
- 1959 General Officer Commanding Catterick Area (Major-General)
