Bernard Law Montgomery

He rebuilt Eighth Army and drove Axis forces from El Alamein

Bernard Law Montgomery was born in London in 1887 and entered the Royal Warwickshire Regiment after Sandhurst. Severely wounded near Ypres in 1914, he recovered and returned to staff duties. His First World War service earned the Distinguished Service Order.

In the Second World War he commanded a division in France before helping evacuate British forces through Dunkirk. Appointed to command Eighth Army in 1942, he restored confidence and prepared a deliberate offensive at El Alamein. The resulting victory helped turn the campaign in North Africa. He subsequently led operations in Sicily and Italy and commanded Allied ground forces during the opening phase of the Normandy invasion.

Promoted to field marshal in 1944, he led 21st Army Group through north-west Europe. His successes coexisted with controversial decisions, including Operation Market Garden and difficult relations with Allied commanders. After the war he served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff and later in senior NATO command. Created Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, he retired in 1958 and died in 1976.