Claude Ernest Pert

Major General Claude Ernest Pert CB, CVO, DSO (1898–1982) was a soldier and British India polo champion.

Biography
He was born 29 September 1898 in British India, the third son of Mr F. J. Pert of the Indian Civil Service.

He was educated at Clifton College from May 1913 to July 1916.

He trained as an officer at Wellington Cadet College in India and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant onto the Unattached List for the Indian Army 18 June 1917.

He joined the 17th Cavalry on the 23 June 1917 and promoted Lieutenant 18 June 1918. He was posted away from his regiment to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force fighting in Palestine, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan Infantry and an Imperial Service Cavalry unit between 13 August to 31 October 1918.

After the war he returned to his regiment as saw further service in Waziristan on the North West Frontier in 1921.

Promoted Captain 18 June 1921.

The 17th Cavalry and the 37th Lancers amalgamated on the 16 February 1922 to form the 15th Lancers.

Later in 1922 he married Lillian Katherine Nicholls (she died in 1980).

He participated in the 1927 International Polo Cup.

He served as Adjutant of the Governor of Bombay's Bodyguard from 1928 to 1930.

Promoted Major 18 June 1935.

In 1937 the 15th Lancers were converted to a training regiment and he transferred to Probyn's Horse (5th King Edward VII's Own Lancers) as of 31 August 1937.

Appointed temporary second in command of Probyn's Horse 1 October 1939.

He was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Colonel and commanding Officer of Probyn's Horse 1 March 1941. He was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel 1 June 1941 and substantive Lieutenant-Colonel 3 September 1942.

Later he was appointed second in command of the 251st Indian Tank Brigade and in November 1943 was appointed to command 255 Indian Armoured Brigade, an appointment he filled until May 1945.

He was appointed Temporary Colonel 28 February 1944 and Temporary Brigadier 1 February 1945.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service in Burma in the London Gazette of 24 May 1945 ranked as Temporary Brigadier, Indian Armoured Corps.

Advanced to Acting Major-General on the 31 May 1945, from 1945 to 1946 he was the General Officer commanding 1st Armoured Division of the Indian Army.

He was Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette of 19 July 1945 for Burma as Temporary Colonel, Indian Armoured Corps.

Appointed Director of Armoured Fighting Vehicles 7 June 1946.

Promoted Colonel 11 February 1947 he retired an honorary Major-General on the 30 August 1948.

He was made a Companion of the Bath in the London Gazette of 1 January 1948 ranked as Colonel (Temporary Major-General), Probyn's Horse

In retirement he became the manager of the Household Brigade Polo club 1957-75.

He was appointed a Commander in the Royal Victorian Order in the London Gazette 1 Jan 1975.

He died on the 14 March 1982.