David Peel Yates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir David Peel Yates
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1911 Gillingham, Kent, England |
| Died | 8 October 1978 (aged 67) Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1931–1969 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Service number | 52733 |
| Unit | South Wales Borderers |
| Commands held | 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers 27th Infantry Brigade British Forces in Berlin Eastern Command Southern Command |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Lieutenant General Sir David Peel Yates (born July 10, 1911 – died October 8, 1978) was an important officer in the British Army. He fought in the Second World War. After the war, he rose to very high positions in the army during the 1960s.
Contents
Early Life and School
David Peel Yates was born in Gillingham, Kent, England. His father was Hubert Peel Yates. David also had a brother, Colin Peel Yates, who served in the Royal Navy.
David went to school at Haileybury College. Later, he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is a famous place where army officers are trained.
Military Career
In 1931, David Peel Yates officially joined the British Army. He became a second lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers regiment. His father had also served in this same regiment.
Before the Second World War, he served in India in 1937. He then became an assistant officer for a local army unit in 1939.
Serving in World War II
During the Second World War, Peel Yates held several important roles. In 1940, he worked as a senior staff officer for the 113th Infantry Brigade. He then went to a special school called the Staff College, Camberley. Here, officers learn advanced military planning.
After his training, he worked as a staff officer for the 4th Division. He also served at the headquarters of the First Army. He was part of the forces that captured Tunis in May 1943.
Later in 1943, he became the leader of the 6th Battalion, Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. This unit fought in Italy. By 1945, he was a brigadier. He worked on the main staff for General Sir Harold Alexander in Italy.
After the War
After the war ended, Peel Yates continued his military career. In 1946, he became an instructor at the Joint Services Staff College. This college trains officers from different military branches.
From 1951 to 1953, he taught at the NATO Defence College in Paris, France. NATO is a military alliance of many countries. After this, he became the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers.
In 1955, he was put in charge of the 27th Infantry Brigade in Hong Kong, China. He later returned to the Staff College, Camberley, as an assistant leader in 1957.
Leadership Roles
In 1960, he became the chief of staff for Eastern Command. This meant he was a top planner for a large army region.
In 1962, he became the leader of the British forces in Berlin. Berlin was divided into different parts after the war. During a visit by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in June 1963, Peel Yates showed him the Berlin Wall. He explained how the city was divided during the Cold War.
From 1966 to 1968, he was the top general for Eastern Command. Then, he became the top general for Southern Command. He retired from the army in 1969.
Family Life
In 1947, David Peel Yates married Christine Hilary Williams. Her father was Horatio Stanley Williams. David and Christine had a son and a daughter together.
