Digby Tatham-Warter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Major
Allison Digby Tatham-Warter
DSO
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| Birth name | Allison Digby Tatham-Warter |
| Nickname(s) | "Digby" |
| Born | 21 May 1917 Atcham, Shropshire, England |
| Died | 21 March 1993 (aged 75) Nanyuki, Kenya |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1937–1946 |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 75060 |
| Unit | Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Parachute Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Arnhem |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order |
| Other work | Safari operator |
Allison Digby Tatham-Warter (born May 21, 1917 – died March 21, 1993) was a brave British Army officer. He was known as Digby Tatham-Warter or simply Digby. He fought in the Second World War and became famous for wearing a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella into battle! He even earned the Distinguished Service Order for his courage.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Digby was born in Atcham, Shropshire, England. He was the second son in his family. His father owned land in southwest England. Digby's father fought in the First World War. Sadly, he got sick from gas attacks in the trenches and died when Digby was 11 years old. Digby went to Wellington College, Berkshire for his education. In 1935, he was accepted into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, which is a famous military school.
Starting His Military Career
Digby finished his training at Sandhurst on January 21, 1937. He became a second lieutenant. He planned to join the Indian Army because of his family's connections there. However, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry instead. He did this so he could keep enjoying his hobbies. These hobbies included tiger hunting and a sport called pig sticking.
His Role in World War II
When the Second World War began, Digby did not go to Europe right away. His sister, Kit, served as an ambulance driver. She won a French medal for her bravery.
Joining the Parachute Regiment
In late 1942, Digby's brother John died in battle. After this, Digby decided to join the airborne forces. He transferred to the Parachute Regiment. He became the leader of A Company. This company was part of the 2nd Parachute Battalion. They were also part of the 1st Airborne Division. During training, Digby was known for his tiger hunting stories. He even used an American plane to fly his officers to London for a party!
Preparing for Battle
Digby's company was chosen to lead the 2nd Parachute Battalion. This was for the Battle of Arnhem, which was part of Operation Market Garden. Digby was known for being a very bold commander. He worried that radios might not work well in battle. So, he taught his men how to use old bugle calls from the Napoleonic Wars to communicate. He also brought an umbrella with him. He thought it would help people recognize him. He believed anyone seeing him with an umbrella in battle would think "only a bloody fool of an Englishman" would do that.
The Battle of Arnhem
Digby's company landed far from their target, the Arnhem Bridge. They had to go through Arnhem, but German soldiers blocked the streets. Digby led his men through people's back gardens instead. This helped them avoid the Germans. Digby and his company traveled 8 miles in 7 hours. They also captured 150 German soldiers, including some from the SS.
During the battle, Digby wore his maroon beret instead of a helmet. He walked around waving his umbrella, even when there was heavy mortar fire. When German tanks tried to cross the bridge, Digby led a bayonet charge against them. He was wearing his bowler hat at the time! He even stopped a German armoured car using his umbrella. He poked the driver in the eye through a small opening.
Digby also saw the chaplain stuck under enemy fire. The chaplain was trying to reach injured soldiers. Digby went to him and said, "Don't worry about the bullets, I've got an umbrella." He then walked the chaplain across the street under his umbrella. When he returned, another officer asked about his umbrella. Digby famously replied, "Oh my goodness Pat, but what if it rains?"
Digby was later hurt by shrapnel, which also tore his trousers. But he kept fighting until his company ran out of ammunition. As Digby had guessed, the radios were not reliable. Bugle calls were used a lot. Before Digby was captured, his last radio message was "out of ammo, God save The King."
Escape and Return
Because of his injury, Digby was sent to St Elizabeth's Hospital. But he escaped out of a window with his second-in-command, Captain Tony Frank. Digby made a compass from buttons on his uniform. They headed towards Mariendaal. A Dutch woman hid them, then put them in touch with her neighbor. This neighbor disguised them as painters. He moved them to the house of Derk Wildeboer, a local leader of the Dutch Resistance.
They met Menno de Nooy, who gave them a bicycle. Wildeboer made a fake Dutch identity card for Digby. This allowed him to pretend to be Peter Jensen, a deaf-mute son of a lawyer. Digby used the bicycle to visit other hidden soldiers. The Germans did not recognize him. He even helped push a Nazi staff car out of a ditch! German soldiers were staying in the same house as him, but they never knew who he was.
Digby then gathered 150 escaped soldiers. They planned to go back to the front line. This mission was called Operation Pegasus. Digby and the soldiers cycled to the Rhine river. Digby flashed a V for Victory sign using Morse Code with his torch. Soldiers from XXX Corps then ferried them across the river. When Digby returned to the United Kingdom, he received the Distinguished Service Order. He also wrote a report that helped another officer, Lieutenant Jack Grayburn, receive a special award.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Digby served in Mandatory Palestine. In 1946, he moved to British Kenya. He bought two large pieces of land there. During the Mau Mau Uprising, Digby created his own volunteer police force. He paid for it himself and led them into battle.
He later retired to manage his land. He also helped create the idea of the modern safari. This is where people photograph animals instead of hunting them. Digby believed that Africans should have the right to govern themselves. This idea was not common among Europeans in Kenya at the time. He was very supportive of African independence. When Kenya became independent, British officials were told to "look after Tatham-Warter."
Personal Life
Digby Tatham-Warter married Jane Boyd in 1949. They had three daughters and several grandchildren. One of their daughters, Belinda Rose Tatham-Warter, married a German duke. Digby died in Nanyuki, Kenya, on March 21, 1993.
See also
- Jack Churchill
- Alfred Wintle
