LRDG Timpson, John Alastair Livingstone

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Timpson
  • FORENAME
John Alastair Livingstone
  • UNIT
LRDG G2 + G1 Patrols
  • RANK
Lieutenant (T/Captain)
  • NUMBER
124473
  • AWARD
Military Cross, Mention in Despatches
  • PLACE
North Africa 1941
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 2 Bn Scots Guards
born 22.05.1915
educated Eton & Trinity
joined LRDG September 1941
died 1998 (Aged 82)
LRDG - Timpson, John Alastair Livingstone.jpg
 

CITATION:

Military Cross : Captain TIMPSON'S Patrol of 6 vehicles and 18 O.R.s was detailed to carry out a traffic census on the Coastal Road near MARBLE ARCH, during the first fortnight of December, 1942. While going to the road, the party was reduced to half it's size during an engagement with enemy Armoured Cars. Captain Timpson, however, carried on with the remainder of the party, and started the Watch 50C yards from the road, from behind a bush, on December 1st. From that date until December 14th, the watch was kept up night and day, often during heavy and bitterly cold rainfall, and with the retreating enemy camping nearby. In addition to sending daily by W/T the traffic figures of the previous 24 hours, Captain Timpson personally changed over the watches each day. This entailed a drive, followed by a walk, of 20 miles from his base, and on three occasions he was chased and fired on by enemy Patrols. He once evaded capture by submerging himself for some time in a Wadi running with icy cold water. On another occasion he avoided capture by passing himself off as a German Officer. He frequently ran great risks to ensure the safe relief of his men, and it was mainly due to his great devotion to duty, under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances, that the traffic census figures during this period were made available.

Captain Timpson has led his Patrol on many successful and daring expeditions behind the enemy's lines during his 12 months service with the L.R.D.G. He has always shown himself to be a leader full of great courage.

WEB LINKS:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369594 (MC)
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12303457.major-john-timpson/ (Obituary)

NATIONAL ARCHIVES:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369594
Last edited by a moderator:
Top