Lionel Finch

Major General Lionel Hugh Knightley Finch CB, DSO, OBE (5 July 1888 – 1982) was a senior British Army officer.

Lionel Finch
Born	5 July 1888 Murree, India
Died	1982
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major General
Commands held	1st Bn the Lancashire Fusiliers 18th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	First World War Second World War
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Military career

Finch was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment on 1 July 1908.[1] He served in the 2n Battalion the Cheshire Regiment in the First World War and his capture and subsequent detention as a prisoner of war was recognised by his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[2] He was appointed a companion of the Distinguished Service Order in the 1917 New Year Honours[3] and went on to command the 13th (Service) Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment in the later stages of the war.[4]

Finch became commanding officer of 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1934.[5] He went on to be Assistant Adjutant-General at the War Office in 1936, Deputy Director of Recruiting and Organisation at the War Office in 1939 and Deputy Adjutant-General at the War Office in 1940.[5] After that he became General Officer Commanding 18th Infantry Division in June 1940 before retiring in July 1940.[5]

Finch was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath on 1 July 1941.[6]

References

1. "No. 28164". The London Gazette. 4 August 1908. p. 5733.
2. "No. 13558". The Edinburgh Gazette. 2 February 1920. p. 309.
3. "No. 29886". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1916. p. 22.
4. "Commanging Officers: the Cheshire Regiment". Retrieved 26 May 2020.
5. "Finch, Lionel Hugh Knightley". Generals.dk. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
6. "No. 35204". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 July 1941. p. 3736.