Tony Paget

Lieutenant Anthony Francis McLeod "Tony" Paget DSO (5 November 1924 – 5 March 1945) was a junior British Army officer who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for conspicuous gallantry while serving with the 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at the Battle of the Reichswald in February–March 1945 during the Second World War.

Early life

Paget was born in Kensington, London, the younger son of General Sir Bernard Paget. He was educated at Radley College, Radley, Oxfordshire.

Second World War

Paget joined the British Army and commenced training with the Welsh Guards and Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU). In July 1943, Paget was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and was posted to the 1st Battalion (the 43rd), attached to the 71st Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division. He served throughout most of the North-West Europe Campaign of 1944–1945 in the Second World War.

In July 1944 Paget was awarded the Croix de guerre and mentioned in despatches for his role in the battle of Cahier during the battle for Caen: a vital objective of the Allies during the Battle of Normandy. He was later wounded in France and evacuated to England. He returned to his battalion in December 1944.

By now promoted to lieutenant, Paget died on 5 March 1945 from wounds received near Weeze, Germany, during the action for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry, in the Battle of the Reichswald. Paget is buried in Mook War Cemetery, Limburg, the Netherlands. There is a memorial plaque commemorating his life in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

Lieutenant Tony Paget died on 5 March 1945, aged just 20 years.^[1]

References