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Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet

1897 – 1988

British general

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About Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet

Lived 1897 – 1988 (aged 90). Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet was a British military personnel.

First World War Adair fought in the First World War. He joined the British Army, receiving his commission as a probationary second lieutenant on 2 May 1916 in the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the Grenadier Guards,

With the acting rank of captain, Adair was Officer Commanding 2 Company from 22 September to 11 November 1918, receiving his second MC after the war on 2 April 1919 "for conspicuous gallantry and skill at Preux-au-Sart, on 4 November 1918. In command of the left front company, which was held up by an organised line of machine guns, he so manoeuvred his platoons as to capture the line with a minimum of casualties. Although wounded in the leg, he continued in command until relieved the following day".

He was promoted to major on 22 May 1932, and returned to the 3rd Battalion to serve as second-in-command until April 1940, seven months after the Second World War broke out.

Second World War After a short time as Chief Instructor at 161 Infantry Officer Cadet Training Unit at Sandhurst, he returned to his regiment on 8 May 1940 where he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion with the rank of acting lieutenant colonel. was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 19 September 1940. On 17 October he was appointed Commander of the 30th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards), re-designated the 6th Guards Armoured Brigade on 15 September 1941, with the rank of temporary brigadier. The division liberated Brussels, after making an unprecedented advance from Douai, away, in only 14 hours. The division then took a leading role in the ground advance in Operation Market Garden in September.

Held in reserve during the Battle of the Bulge in December, it was committed to the Battle of the Reichswald (Operation Veritable) in February and March 1945. After advancing through Germany and the German surrender in May 1945 the Guards Armoured Division remained as part of the occupying forces, but on 12 June 1945 was converted into an infantry formation, the Guards Division. receiving promotion to Ensign on 30 June 1950 and then to Lieutenant on 31 August 1951, before finally retiring on 14 November 1967.

He served as a Governor of Harrow School from 1947 until 1952, was Colonel of the Grenadier Guards from 1961 to 1974, and a Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons from 1969 to 1976. and Robert Dudley Shafto Adair (1923–1925), and three daughters; Bridget Mary Adair (b. 1928), Juliet Enid Adair (b. 1930) and Annabel Violet Adair (b. 1937).

Adair succeeded his father as 6th baronet on 9 October 1949

Adair died on 4 August 1988 at the age of 90. With no surviving sons, the title became extinct.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
Harrow School
Awards
Croix de guerre 1939–1945; Military Cross; Companion of the Order of the Bath; Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order; Distinguished Service Order; Croix de guerre (Belgium); Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France); Mentioned in Despatches; Order of Leopold (Belgium)
Also known as
Allan Adair, Sir Allan Henry Adair, Allan Henry Shafto Adair

People in Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet?

British general

When was Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet born?

Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet was born on 3 November 1897 in London.

When did Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet die?

Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet died on 4 August 1988 in London.

What was Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet's occupation?

Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet was a military personnel.

What nationality was Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet?

Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet

· Wikidata: Q2837714

· DBpedia: Allan Adair

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet. https://biography.guide/sir-allan-adair-6th-baronet/

MLA: "Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sir-allan-adair-6th-baronet/.

Chicago: "Sir Allan Adair, 6th Baronet." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sir-allan-adair-6th-baronet/.

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