Philip Bowden-Smith

Brigadier Philip Ernest Bowden-Smith CBE (27 March 1891 – 28 April 1964), was a cavalry officer and later armoured commander of the British Army who served in the First World War and the Second World War. Described as 'one of the finest horsemen of his generation' he also represented Great Britain at the 1924 Olympic Games. Early life and career Philip Ernest Bowden-Smith was born on 27 March 1891, the son of Ernest Bowden-Smith and Kate Mary née Moore-Miller, he was educated at Rugby School. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 19th Hussars on 3 September 1910 (promoted to lieutenant 7 October 1911). The 19th Hussars' role on the mobilisation of the British Expeditionary Force was to provide squadrons to 4th, 5th and 6th Divisions. THis is what happened o the outbreak of World War I in August 1914. Because Bowden-Smith's war service was recorded as starting on 9 September, he must have been with C Squadron, which landed with 6th Division at St Nazaire on that day. Divisional cavalry squadrons were very active in the early days of the war, when manoeuvre was still possible. Once trench warfare set in, their role disappeared. The squadrons of 19th Hussars reformed in April 1915 and joined the 1st Cavalry Division, but mounted action was rare, and if the cavalry did see action it was usually in the dismounted role. Bowden-Smith was wounded once during the war. At various times he found himself attached to the Signal Service and as a temporary instructor at the Cavalry School at Netheravon. He ended the war in the rank of Captain. After the war, the 19th Hussars deployed to Muttra in India. The cavalry arm was being reduced and 19th Hussars disappeared in a merger with another regiment. In 1921 Bowden-Smith transferred to the 4th Hussars, which was also at Muttra. Shortly afterwards he became an instructor at the Cavalry School, and in 1924 (after his participation in the Paris Olympics, see below) became an instructor at the Army School of Equitation at Weedon. He was promoted to Major on 16 May 1924, and on completion of his posting at Weedon, he transferred to the 16th/5th Lancers.