The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Hockey Team · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 7 Location: England

I am researching 10 young men who appear in a photograph of a Sandhurst hockey team in 1915 as part of the Royal Military College commemorative exhibition for WW1. One of these was Lt. Wimberley, who later became a Major-General and played a significant role at El Alamein. I should be very happy to be contacted by anyone with photographs or knowledge of General Wimberley's family background or early career. I am already aware of the unpublished autobiography in the Imperial War Museum.

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

Hockey Team. Have you tried the Highlanders Museum in Fort George? As a former Cameron Highlander and GOC 51st Div in the Second World War they may have information about him?

Thanks

Adam

Hockey Team · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 7 Location: England

Many thanks Adam -- will try them.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:00 pm Post subject:

There's quite a good write up on the Scottish Military Research site!!!!!
http://scottishmilitary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/major-general-douglas-neil-wimberley.html

and on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Wimberley

and a photo portrait in the National Portrait Gallery
http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw221181/Douglas-Neil-Wimberley
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Ken

Hockey Team · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 7 Location: England

Hi Ken

The SMR website is taken from the DNB article on Wimberley, and I have already got it as well as Wikipedia. Understandably, the focus of both is on his interesting military exploits in WW2. I am hoping to discover more about WW1 and also about his family connections -- his father and other relatives served in the Indian Army.

There are in fact no less than SIX portraits of Wimberley in the NPG, all showing him as a General!

Thank you for your interest, it is much appreciated.

spoons · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:21 pm Post subject:

Not what you are after I know, but back in my Army days, I lived in an Army Married Quarter on Wimberley Way in Inverness so I thought the fact that a road is named after him might be of some interest?

\Paul

Hockey Team · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 7 Location: England

Not at all surprised, Paul, he was both born in Inverness and held in great esteem by his regiment -- known as 'Tartan Tam'!

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject:

There is a Wimberley family grave in Inverness Tomnahurich Cemetery. Photo on page 7 of http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic759-0-asc-90.html

1130. In memory of Captain Douglas Wimberley, late XXth Foot and LXXIXth Cameron Highlanders born 11th June 1828 died 7th Nov 1912. Also of his wife Helen Charlotte Campbell born 19th Dec 1830 died 8th April 1918. Their son Colin Campbell Wimberley died in Australia 18th Sep 19?6.
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Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:15 pm Post subject:

There are a couple of entries in the London Gazette 1916 and 1917 refering to his promotions to Lt and then Captain and "to remain Seconded"
On 24 May 1918 p.6189 it reads
MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY).
The undermentioned to be actg Majs
while comdg. a Co —
Capt G C Kay {Lan. Fus , T F ) 16
Feb 1918.
Capt J. F Bleakley (Manch R , T F )
16 Feb. 1918 to 11 Mar. 1918 inclusive
19 Feb 1918
Capt D. N Wimberley (Cam'n Highrs )
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Ken

Hockey Team · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 7 Location: England

Thank you for the information about the gravestones. I am sure that the Wimberley family has a long military history. I had the London Gazette -- am hoping to find out more about what the experience was actually like when I go to read his unpublished autobiography in the Imperial War Museum.