Horatio Pettus Mackintosh Berney-Ficklin
| Horatio Berney-Ficklin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
13 June 1892 Tasburgh, Norfolk, England |
| Died |
February 17, 1961 (aged 68) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1948 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Royal Norfolk Regiment |
| Commands held |
2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry 15th Infantry Brigade 5th Infantry Division 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Military Cross |
Major General Horatio Pettus Mackintosh Berney-Ficklin CB MC (13 June 1892 – 17 February 1961) was a senior British Army officer who served in both World War I and World War II, where he commanded the 5th Infantry Division.
Military career
Educated at Rugby School and Jesus College, Cambridge, Berney-Ficklin was commissioned into the Norfolk Regiment in 1914.[1] He served in France and Belgium during World War I and was awarded the Military Cross in June 1916.[1]
He became Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in Palestine in 1936.[2] He served in World War II, commanding the 15th Infantry Brigade in the Battle of France as part of the British Expeditionary Force.[2]
From July 1940, he commanded the 5th Infantry Division, which he would command for the next three years.[2] As part of British Tenth Army, his division was stationed in Persia in 1942. At that time, the Tenth Army was part Paiforce (formerly Iraqforce) under the Persia and Iraq Command. Two brigades of the 5th Division went to Madagascar to take part in Operation Ironclad (the Battle of Madagascar). Both brigades were pulled out of Madagascar during the late summer of 1942 for re-fitting in India.
After India, Berney-Ficklin went with the 5th Division when it was transferred to the British Eighth Army. Under the Eighth Army, the division took part in operations during the invasion of Sicily[2] and the invasion of southern Italy. Berney-Ficklin became General Officer Commanding 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division in 1943 and General Officer Commanding 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division in 1944.[2]
After the War he presided over a British Military Tribunal convened at Lüneburg from 17 September to 17 November 1945 to try suspected war criminals from Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.[3] He retired in 1948 and later died in 1961, at the age of 69.[2]
References
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Harold Franklyn |
GOC 5th Infantry Division 1940–1943 |
Succeeded by Gerard Bucknall |
| Preceded by Hayman Hayman-Joyce |
GOC 48th Infantry (Reserve) Division 1943–1944 |
Succeeded by William Bradshaw |
| Preceded by Walter Clutterbuck |
GOC 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division 1944–1945 |
Succeeded by Post disbanded |