Major-General John Frederick Boyce Combe CB DSO

This picture of Major-General Combe was taken at the Balaclava Ball on November 26th 1954 at the Hyde Park Hotel. The Colonels of the five regiments that took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade attended the ball as did the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Mother, seen here dancing with General Combe. He is wearing the original full dress uniform that belonged to Lord Cardigan. Combe was the commanding Officer of the 11th Hussars for much of the Second World War. He took over before the war and was partly responsible for the high level of training that prepared te regiment for the battles in North Africa. Under his command, the regiment played a major part in the defeat of the large Italian Army in 1940. His area of command extended beyond the 11th Hussars, encompassing other tank regiments and batteries of RHA, called 'Combe Force'. His last victory against the Italians was Beda Fomm and proved to be his finest hour. He was promoted Brigadier on April 3rd 1941, haning over command of the regiment to Lt-Col Leetham. He was appointed adviser to General Neame, but on his way to report for duty he was captured by the Germans and held in Italy. He escaped later on in the war. He was made Colonel of the regiment in July 1945 and held the post for 12 years.

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