Claude Liardet
| Sir Claude Liardet | |
|---|---|
 Major General Liardet, Commandant of the RAF Regiment, inspecting a contingent of the Regiment in London. | |
| Born |
26 September 1881 Liverpool, Lancashire, England |
| Died |
5 March 1966 (aged 84) Southampton, Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Territorial Army |
| Years of service | 1899–1945 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
RAF Regiment (1942–45) 56th (London) Infantry Division (1940–41) 64th (7th London) Field Brigade RA (1929–33) 106th (Lancashire Yeomanry) Brigade RFA (1922–27) Lancashire and Cheshire Coast Brigade RA (1919–22) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches (4) Territorial Decoration |
| Other work | Director of Bevington, Vaizey, and Foster Ltd |
Major General Sir Claude Francis Liardet, KBE, CB, DSO, TD, DL (26 September 1881 – 5 March 1966) was an insurance broker, businessman an and long-serving artillery officer in Britain's part-time Territorial Army before becoming the first Commandant General of the RAF Regiment.
Early life
Claude Liardet was born on 26 September 1881, the son of Commander Henry Maughan Liardet of Her Majesty's Indian Navy. He was educated at Bedford School.[1]
Military career
Liardet joined the Lancashire Artillery in 1899.[2] He transferred to the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery in 1905 and served in the First World War, during which he was mentioned in despatches four times and awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[1][2] He became Commanding Officer (CO) of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coast Brigade of the Royal Artillery in 1919, and CO of the 106th (Lancashire Yeomanry) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in 1923.[2][3]
In 1929 Liardet became CO of 64th (7th London) Field Brigade, RFA, serving in 47th (2nd London) Division and in 1934 he was promoted to Commander Royal Artillery (CRA) of that division. When the 47th Division was disbanded in 1936 he transferred as CRA to 56th (1st London) Division.[1][2][3][4] Liardet was promoted to command the 56th Division in the rank of major general in 1938, and held that post during the early part of the Second World War.[1][2][5]
In 1941 Liardet was appointed Inspector General of Aerodrome Defence and Director General of Ground Defence at the Air Ministry. In 1942 he became Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment until the end of the war, when he retired.[1][2][6]
Business career
Liardet was a director of the Lloyd's of London insurance brokers Bevington, Vaizey, and Foster Ltd.[1]
Family life
Liardet married on 11 January 1906 to Dorothy Hopper, they had a son Henry and daughter.[1][2] He re-married on 25 May 1928 to Dorothy Clare Borrett and they had a son. Liardet died in 1966.[2]
Notes
References
- Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 100th Edn, London, 1953.
- Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, ISBN 1843424746.
- Mead, Richard (2007). Churchill's Lions: a biographical guide to the key British generals of World War II. Stroud (UK): Spellmount. ISBN 978-1-86227-431-0.
- Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.
External sources
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Percy Commings |
GOC London Division 1938–1939 |
Succeeded by Post redesignated 1st London Division |
| New title New post |
GOC 1st London Division 1939–1940 |
Succeeded by Post redesignated 1st London Division |
| New title New post |
GOC 56th (London) Infantry Division 1940–1941 |
Succeeded by Montagu Stopford |
| New title New post |
Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment 1942–1945 |
Succeeded by Alfred Robinson |