John Strawson

Major-Generel John Strawson served with The 4th Queen's Own Hussars - Winston Churchill's Regiment - during the Second World War in the Middle East and Italy, and afterwards in Germany and Malaya. Following the amalgamation of the 4th and 8th Hussars as The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, he commanded the Regiment in Malaysia and Germany. For his leadership during the Borneo campaign he was awarded the O.B.E. Later he commanded infantry brigade and was chief of Staff, United Kingdom Land Forces. For this latter service he was award a C.B.E. He had also been awarded the US Bronze Star for his leadership during the Italian campaign of 1944-45.

He has written about a dozen books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army - GENTLEMEN IN KHAKI and BEGGARS IN RED; A HISTORYOF THE SAS; EL ELAMEIN and HITLER AS MILITARY COMMANDER. He collaborated with General Sir John Hackett and others in writing the two volumes of THE THIRD WORLD WAR. His most recent books include THE DUKE AND THE EMPEROR; WELLINGTON AND NAPOLEON (1994) and CHURCHILL AND HITLER: IN VICTORY AND DEFEAT (1997).

General Strawson is married to Baroness Wilfred von Schellersheim and they live in Wiltshire. They have two married daughters. His elder brother is the Oxford philosopher, Sir Peter Strawson.

John Strawson describes joining the 4th Hussars in the Middle East in 1942 and serving with them until amalgamation with the 9th Hussars in 1958 as The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars. He commanded the Regiment during the Borneo campaign and was Colonel from 1975 to 1985.

His account of war in Italy and of operations in Malaya and Borneo are of special interest. This light-hearted memoir reveals devotion to his family, friends, Regiment and - to horses.

His adventures with horses and hounds, whipping-in to the legendary Loopy Kennard, and during his time as Master of the Staff College Draghounds are particularly diverting. Addiction to reading and writing led to authorship of twelve military history books.

He describes working as Westland Aircraft's Military Adviser, mainly in the Middle East and gives a vivid account of life in Cairo in the latter 1970s.