George Brink
| George Edwin Brink CB CBE DSO | |
|---|---|
 Gen George Brink in the Western Desert (seated) 1941 | |
| Born |
27 September 1889 Jagersfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa |
| Died |
30 April 1971 (aged 81) St. Michaels-on-Sea, Natal |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Service/branch | South African Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
|
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Lieutenant-General George Edwin Brink CB CBE DSO (27 September 1889 – 30 April 1971[1]) was a South African military commander.
Early life
Lt.-Gen. Brink was born at Jagersfontein, Orange Free State, on 27 September 1889 and was educated at Grey College, Bloemfontein[1]
Military Career
In 1913, Brink joined the Union Defence Forces. In World War I he served in German East Africa during the first East African Campaign. In 1919 he attended the Imperial Staff College.[2] and on his return was appointed to the staff of the South African Military College, later being appointed Commandant of the College.[2]
In 1933 he was appointed the first Officer Commanding of the Special Service Battalion[3] In December of that year Colonel Brink was posted to Cape Town to take command of Western Cape Command, where he served till 31 January 1937.[2] From 1 November 1937[2] to 1939, he was Director of Army Training at Defence Headquarters. He was promoted to Deputy Chief of the General Staff on 15 June 1938.[2]
From 1940 to 1942, Brink commanded the 1st South African Division during the second East African Campaign. He also commanded the division during the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa.
In 1942, Brink turned over command of the division to Dan Pienaar. After hurting his back and being declared unfit for field duty,[2] Brink then commanded the Inland Area Command in South Africa from 1942 to 1944.
From 1944 to 1948, Brink was in charge of demobilisation. He had already retired from the Permanent Force in 1946[2] and promoted to Lieutenant General in the Reserves.[2]
Honours and awards
Lt. General Brink was awarded the Croix de Guerre avec Palmes,[2] Distinguished Service Order, Order of the Bath in 1941[4] and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1942.[5]
He was also appointed Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.[2]
- Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Croix de Guerre avec Palmes
See also
- South African Army
- East African Campaign (World War I)
- East African Campaign (World War II)
- Western Desert Campaign
- 1st Infantry Division (South Africa)
References
- 1 2 "Another distinguished South African Soldier has passed on". The South African Military History Society Military History Journal. 2 (1). June 1971.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ploeger, Jan (1989). "SUID-AFRIKAANSE STAATS- en STAATSONDERSTEUNDE MILITÊRE GESKIEDSKRYWING (1924-1987)". Scientaria Militaria South African Journal of Military Studies (in Afrikaans). 19 (4): 27.
- ↑ "1 Special Services Battalion". Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35335/page/6371
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35697/page/3945
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Pierre van Ryneveld |
OC SA Army College 1932 – 1933 |
Succeeded by Pieter de Waal |
| New title | OC Special Service Battalion May – Nov 1933 |
Succeeded by Pieter de Waal |
| Preceded by Unknown |
OC Western Cape Command Dec 1933 – 31 Jan 1937 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by Unknown |
OC 1st South African Division 1940 – 1942 |
Succeeded by Dan Pienaar |