Ralph Bouverie Deedes

Lieutenant General Ralph Bouverie Deedes, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C. (1890 - 1954) was a senior officer in the pre-partition Indian Army. He was commissioned in the 16th Punjab Regiment, serving in World War I, being awarded the Military Cross. In 1920, he was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE). He was commanding officer of a battalion of the 18th Garhwal Rifles, being promoted to Colonel and appointed Military Secretary at GHQ India. On the 20th December 1939, he was promoted Temporary Brigadier and appointed as Commanding Officer of the Thal Brigade, part of the Kohat District.

On the 12th May 1941, he was promoted Acting Major General [London Gazette] and given command of the Waziristan District, on the North West Frontier of India (pre-independence). The NW Frontier was still active in terms of British military operations against the tribal areas, with Deedes twice being Mentioned in Dispatches [London Gazette] for his leadership as District Commander. On the 11th June 1942, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) [London Gazette] .

On the 21st February 1943, Deedes left the operational command of Waziristan, and returned to GHQ India at Dehli. He took up the appointment of Military Secretary, responsible for all senior appointments, promotions and similar matters for the then Indian Army. On the 11th March 1944, Deedes was promoted as Acting Lieutenant General, and appointed as Adjutant General at GHQ India. His promotion was made temporary, and then on the 12th February 1945, substantive. He was created a Knight of the Order of the Bath (KCB) on the 14th June 1945 [London Gazette]

Deedes relinquished his post as Adjutant General on the 15th March 1946, and retired from the Indian Army on 15th November 1946.