| Surname: | Gait |
| Initials: | B A |
| Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Army Number: | 442611 |
| Notes: | Provost Officer formerly Kings Regiment. Previously 22321842 Sgt Black Watch, Later 2nd Lieut King's Regiment LG 40571, 4931, 30/8/1955. London Gazette 41798, 5359, 25/8/1959. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Lt Brian Arthur Gate, DCM, (442611), from Short Service Commn., Kings to be Lt, 26/8/1959, with seniority 27/9/1952. 2/Lt B A Gait, DCM. (442611) to be Lt, 26/8/1959, with seniority 27/9/1954. London Gazette 41798, 5359, 25/8/1959. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Lt F A Gait, DCM. (442611) to be Capt, 26/8/1959, with seniority 27/9/1954. London Gazette 41801, 5424, 28/8/1959. Regular Army. Lt. B A Gait, DCM., (442611) to be Capt., 26/8/1959, with seniority 27/9/ 1958. London Gazette 43774, 9081, 28/9/1965. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Capt. B A Gait, DCM. (442611) to be Maj., 27/9/1965. London Gazette 46046, 9390, 7/8/1973. Corps of Royal Military Police. The undermentioned Maj. to be Lt/Col., 30/6/1973: B A Gait, DCM. (442611). London Gazette 47757, 1299 30/1/1979. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Lt/Col. B A Gait, DSO. DCM. (505157) retires on retired pay on account of disability, 29/1/1979. London Gazette 52523, 7057, 7/5/1991. Corps of Royal Military Police Regular Army Reserve of Officers. Lt/Col B A Gait, DSO. DCM. (442611) ceases to belong to Res. of Offrs., 1/5/1991. Brian Gate. A tribute was paid today to a Merseyside military commander who had died at the age of 63. Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gait was described as "one of the bravest of the brave" after an outstanding career in the forces. Fearless. The Liverpool born father of three is the only soldier since World War two to have been awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Service Order. He was cited for his fearless and inspiring leadership in the Korean War. He later served with distinction in Kenya against Mau Mau terrorists. Gait was commissioned into the King's Regiment in 1958 and then transferred to the Corps of Military Police. In 1972 he was appointed to command the Royal Military Police after which he was awarded the DSO. He served as an Army careers officer in Liverpool prior to his retirement. he had been living in North Wales. Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Squier, Regimental Secretary of the Royal Military Police said: "My lasting impression of him was of superb commander, a perfectionist who did not suffer fools gladly. "He was fiercely loyal and protective of his men who worshiped him." |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette: 48922 Page: 3640 March 16, 1982) |
| Citation: | In recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1/11/1974 to 31/1/1975: (To be dated 24/6/1975) Lieutenant Colonel Brian Arthur Gate, DCM. (442611), RMP. CO 2 Regiment, RMP. |
| Decoration: | Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette: 39749 Page: 221 Jan. 9, 1953) |
| Citation: | Korea. 22321842 Sergeant (Acting) Brian Gait, Platoon Sergeant. 1 Black Watch.Citation: On the night of 16/17th November 1952 Sgt GAIT was in command of a patrol on the feature known as RONSON. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy with his own weapons and then when that sure that there were sufficient numbers to justify it, he called down artillery fire when his own patrol suffered five casualties from an enemy shell and he himself was badly shaken by blast, he remained calm and efficient, requested assistance by wireless and rendered first aid to his men. Early in the battle of the 18/19th on the HOOK, Sgt GAIT's Platoon Commander became a casualty. Very soon after taking over command GAIT was ordered to carry out an immediate counter attack, to clear the enemy from the feature, as soon as out own artillery fire lifted. He swept forward with his men through heavy enemy shell and mortar fire, killing and chasing the enemy till he reached the line of the lateral trench across the HOOK. Here his me were pinned down by fire from several LMG's and showers of grenades, from the high ground in the vicinity of the artillery Observation post GAIT without thought for his own safety proceeded to organise the defence of the ground retaken. He got in touch with a neighbouring Platoon Commander and coordinated their actions by intelligent anticipation of enemy outflanking attacks, he was able to stabalise the situation. Later in the night, he and his remaining men succeeded in preventing the third enemy attack from penetrating the trench line, and single handed beat off one enemy probe which came round the flank. Throughout the battle and on every previous occasion when in close contact with the enemy Sgt GAIT has shown himself to be fearless, inspiring and highly efficient leader. Officers and men have the greatest admiration for the outstanding qualities of this fine young energetic man.Recommended by: Lt/Col. CO 1 BW. Commander 1 Commonwealth Division. |
Provost Officer Appointments: | |
| No appointments recorded | |