Major-General Robert B F K Goldsmith CBE, CB

21 Jun 1907 - 01 Jan 1995

  • US Legion of Merit medal
  • CBE medal
  • Companion of the Bath medal

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.

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Service History

  • 1927
    Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Captain)
  • 1939
    General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (GSO2) (Temporary Major)
  • 1939
    General Staff Officer 3rd Grade (GSO3) (Captain)
  • 1941
    Specially employed (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 1942
    General Staff Officer 1st Grade (GSO1) HQ 1st Airborne Division (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 1942
    Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 1943
    General Staff Officer 1st Grade (GSO1) Ops HQ 1st Airborne Division (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 1944
    Deputy Chief of Staff HQ 1st Allied Airborne Army (Acting Colonel)
  • 1946
    General Staff Officer 1st Grade (GSO1) (Lieutenant-Colonel)
  • 1950
    Commander 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)

Decorations

Robert B F K Goldsmith

Group photos_1

Letters and Cards_1

  • Letter from Lt-Col Goldsmith about demolition raids for Operation Crafty.

    Letter from Lt-Col Goldsmith about demolition raids for Operation Crafty.

    1 Item

Latest Comments

David Woods said:
Robert Burrell Frederick Kingslake GOLDSMITH (38857)

D.C.L.I. 2nd Lt. 29/1/27
Lt. 29/1/30
Capt. 5/4/38
A/Maj. 3/9/39 to 2/12/39
T/Maj. 3/12/39 to 4/1/40
25/1/40 to 23/9/41
W.S./Maj. 24/9/41
A/Lt.Col. 24/6/41 to 23/9/41
T/Lt.Col. 24/9/41
Maj. 29/1/44
W.S./Lt.Col. 15/2/45
A/Brig. 15/2/45
Deputy Chief of Staff 1st allied Airborne Army, North-West Europe
G.S.O.1. 1945 War Office
Lt.Col. 2/6/49
T/Brig. 1950/51
C.O. 131st Brigade
Col. 9/1/51
Brig. 18/1/55
T/Maj. Gen. 16/1/56 to 9/1/57
Supernumerary. 9/1/57
Maj.Gen. 12/8/57
G.O.C. Catterick Area. 29/10/59
Retired. 13/10/62
C.B.E. 1/1/52
C.B. 1/1/55




Spec. Empld. (G.S.O.3) 21/1/39 to 2/9/39

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