Albert (Joe) Schofield

MBE : Captain Schofield joined the SAS with the first group of volunteers on the formation of the Regiment in 1941. Since that date he served continuously as a member of the Regiment in every rank up to his present one. He has served in every theatre and campaign in which the Regiment has been present. He was in turn RGM of 21 SAS (Artists) (TA) and 12 SAS. Following a short period, at XXX, in 1946 after the disbandment of the wartime SAS he was one of a small group selected to raise 21 SAS in 1947.

In 1960 he was comissioned and assumed the appointment of QM 23 SAS. 23 SAS had only just been raised as he immediately found himself with the considerable responsibility of establishing a sound Administration for that Regiment. This he did most efficiently although his task was not made easier by the wide geographic dispersion of the various sub units, from the Southern counties to the North Midlands.

Captain Schofield returned to the Regular SAS Regiment in 1963 to take up the appointment of Motor Transport Officer, and in this appointment has been invaluable in the research and development of the SAS fighting vehicle, the Land Rover. His unique background of SAS operations and XXXXXXX and his sound advise on the SAS aspect of operations has brought him high praise from the many very senior officers with whom he has come in contact.

In the latter stages of the Borneo and South Arabian campaigns Captain Schofield was a tower of strength on the administrative side of the rundown of the SAS bases in these areas. More recently in the move from Aden to Bahrain and the arrangements there for a permanent SAS presence in that area Captain Schofield once again demonstrated his ability to plan and carry out the most complex of administration problems.

From October until the present time he has been the senior SAS officer in South Arabia and latterly in Land Forces Gulf. As such he was continuously required to shoulder responsibility and make important decisions, some of a delicate political nature, not normally expected of an officer of his rank. This responsibility he took naturally in his stride. Also he frequently found himself in contact with senior officers either in an SAS advisory capacity of seeking decisions on the closing down of HQ SAS XXX and in establishing the SAS HQ xxxx and base in XXX. Most of the credit for the smooth manner in which this complex operation was carried out was.............................................................................

Place : All SAS wartime theatres of operations and post war Malaya, Oman, Arabia, Borneo, Gulf, UK.
Date of action : 1941 to 1968
How Employed : XXX/XXX/Ops Officer/SAS Cell Commander