Fergie Semple
| Fergie Semple | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 January 1922 |
| Died | 31 July 2003 (aged 81) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1972 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands held | Special Air Service |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Member of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Brigadier (Roderick) Ferguson ('Fergie') Semple MBE MC (26 January 1922 – 31 July 2003) was a British Army officer who became Director SAS.
Military career
Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Aberdeen University,[1] Semple was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1942.[2] He served in World War II with the 6th Airborne Divisional Engineers creating Glider Landing Zones in the Airborne landings in Normandy in June 1944.[3] He received the MC for this.[4]
He went on to be Chief of Staff for 16 Parachute Brigade[1] before becoming Commanding Officer of 131 Parachute Engineer Regiment.[4] He was appointed Director SAS in 1969 before retiring in 1972.[5]
In retirement he became Director-General of Administration in the Omani Department of Defence and a member of the Sultan’s National Defence Council.[4] The Airborne Engineers Association still holds an annual Fergie Semple Golf Competition in his honour.[6]
Family
He was married to Olivia; there were no children.[4]
References
- 1 2 Special Forces Roll of Honour
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35627. p. 3035. 10 July 1942. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ↑ Pegasus archive
- 1 2 3 4 Oituary: Brigadier R F Semple The Times, 27 August 2003
- ↑ "Army Commands" (PDF). 26 July 2016.
- ↑ Airborne Engineers Association
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mike Wingate Gray |
Director SAS 1969–1972 |
Succeeded by John Simpson |