John Richard Easonsmith

John Richard Easonsmith DSO MC (1909–1943) was an officer in the British Army during the Second World War. At the start of the war he enlisted as a private and was later commissioned and served in the Western Desert with the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel he was given command of the LRDG, and was killed in action while still in command, during the battle of Leros.

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 carer
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. He was killed in action 16 November 1943, during the battle of Leros and buried in the Leros military cemetery.