Nickname(s) Jack Died 1943, Leros, Greece Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch British Army | Years of service 1939 - 1943 Rank Lieutenant colonel Name John Easonsmith | |
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Born 12 April 1909
Bristol, England ( 1909-04-12 ) Buried at Leros war cemetery grave reference 3.B.3 Commands held Long Range Desert Group Battles/wars Second World War
Western Desert Campaign
Dodecanese Campaign Awards Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross Battles and wars World War II, Western Desert Campaign, Dodecanese Campaign | ||
John ("Jake") Richard Easonsmith (12 April 1909 – 16 November 1943) was an officer in the British Army during the Second World War who rose from private soldier to become commanding officer of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) until he was killed in action in 1943.
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His fellow-LRDG officer W. B. Kennedy Shaw described him as: "Brave, wise, with an uprightness that shamed lesser men, he was, I think, the finest man we ever had in the LRDG."
Early life
John Richard Easonsmith was born in Bristol 12 April 1909, the son of George, a well known local printer and member of Bristol Savages and Daisy Easonsmith. Easonsmith was educated at Mill Hill School in London, and Clifton College Bristol. After leaving school he joined W.D. and H.O. Wills a British a tobacco importer and cigarette manufacturer in Bristol. Afterwards he entered the wine trade as a salesman with the Emu Australian Wine Company Limited. Recreationally he was a member and played for the Clifton Rugby Football Club. He married Honor Gertrude Marsh and together they had a daughter.
Military career
At the start of the Second World War Easonsmith joined the 4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, a Territorial Army unit that converted to the 66th Search Light Regiment Royal Artillery. By August 1940, he had been promoted to sergeant and recommended for a commission, at the same time transferred to the Royal Tank Regiment. Having completed his officer training he was promoted to lieutenant in July 1940, posted to the Middle East in December, 1940. On arrival he was selected to serve with the Long Range Desert Group.
His first command with the LRDG was with the New Zealand 'R1' Patrol which was the patrol that collected the Special Air Service after their failed first mission Operation Squatter. By August, 1941, he had been promoted to captain, and in January 1942, it was announced that he had been awarded the Military Cross. Easonsmith was also the overall commander of the successful Barce Raid, commanding two patrols, the New Zealand 'TI' and the Brigade of Guards 'GI' patrols. and also elements of Popski's Private Army. Following which in October 1942, he was promoted to major, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in November.
In October 1943, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assumed the command of the Long Range Desert Group. The LRDG was involved in the Dodecanese Campaign and was sent to Leros. Easonsmith was killed in action on 15 November 1943, during the Battle of Leros, apparently when he was shot by a German sniper while carrying out a lone reconnaissance of a village. He is buried in the Leros military cemetery.