Sir Gerald Walter Templer

Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer KG, GCB, GCMG, KBE, DSO

After a distinguished career in both WW1 and WW2, where he became one of the youngest Generals in the British Army, he was given the dubious job of Director of Military Government in the British zone of war-torn Germany. In October 1951, High Commissioner Gurney of Malaya was assassinated by communist guerrillas. Gerald Templer was sent out by the British Government to take over as High Commissioner, and for the next four years, he organized the defence of Malaya and then the total collapse of the communist guerillas. In the period of wars with the communists in Southeast Asia, this was one of the few occasions where the communists were totally beaten. His nickname became Templer Tiger of Malaya and I believe that he is well remembered in Malaya to this day
Gerald Templer became Chief of the Imperial General Staff of the British Army, the highest position in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.



Here is a brief history. A full history can be found in the book ‘Templer Tiger of Malaya’ – see the Book section.

1938 to 1939General Staff Officer 2 War Office
1939 to 1940General Staff Officer 1 British Expeditionary Force, France
1940General Staff Officer 1 Macforce, France
1940Commanding Officer 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
1940 to 1941Commanding Officer 210th Independent Brigade
1941 to 1942Brigadier General Staff V Corps
1942General Officer Commanding 47th Division
1942 to 1943General Officer Commanding II Corps
1943General Officer Commanding XI Corps
1943 to 1944General Officer Commanding 56th Division, Italy – North Africa
1944Temporary  General Officer Commanding 1st Division, Italy
1944General Officer Commanding 6th Armoured Division, Italy
1944Wounded
1945 to 1946Director Allied Military Gov’nt British Zone of Occupation Germany
1946 to 1948Director of Military Intelligence, War Office
1948 to 1950Vice Chief Imperial General Staff, War Office
1950 to 1952General Officer Commander in Chief Eastern Command
1952 to 1954High Commissioner & Commander in Chief –  Malaya
1955 to 1958Chief Imperial General Staff, War Office