Tony Deane-Drummond’s military career included pioneering airborne service, escapes and SAS leadership.
Here is all you need to know about a key figure behind the creation of the SAS.
Tony Deane-Drummond
Anthony John Deane-Drummond was born in Worcestershire on 23 June 1917. He later became a British Army officer and a key figure in the development of the modern SAS.
He served with airborne and special forces units during the Second World War before retiring as a Major-General. He died on 4 December 2012, aged 95.
Britain’s airborne pioneer
Deane-Drummond volunteered for airborne service during the early years of the Second World War and was among the first soldiers involved in Britain’s fledgling parachute forces.
In February 1941, he took part in Operation Colossus, Britain’s first-ever airborne assault. The mission targeted the Tragino Aqueduct in southern Italy.
The soldier who escaped repeatedly
After Operation Colossus, Deane-Drummond was captured by Italian forces. He made several escape attempts and was recaptured more than once.
He escaped from a military hospital in Florence, reached Switzerland and eventually returned to Britain after around 16 months in enemy captivity.
He was later captured during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944, but escaped again.
Commander of 22 SAS Regiment
Deane-Drummond commanded 22 SAS Regiment between 1957 and 1960.
During that period, he led operations in Malaya and Oman, helping demonstrate the SAS’s value in post-war conflicts.
His leadership during the successful assault on Jebel Akhdar in Oman in 1959 is regarded as one of the regiment’s defining operations.
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Honours and achievements
His awards included the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and Bar, and being twice Mentioned in Despatches.
He was later appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Away from military service, he was a keen glider pilot and became British Gliding Champion in 1957.
His legacy
Deane-Drummond also wrote books about his wartime experiences, including Return Ticket, which chronicled his escapes from captivity.
His leadership, bravery and contribution to the SAS have established him as an influential but often overlooked figure.
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