George Molesworth

Lieutenant-General George Noble Molesworth CSI CBE (1890-1968) was an officer commissioned into the British Army serving in India and saw active service in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. He later transferred to the British Indian Army and rose to oversee intelligence and to be Deputy Chief of General Staff of Army Headquarters India. He also served as Military Secretary at the India Office.

Biography

Lieutenant-General George Noble Molesworth was the Eldest son of Henry B. Molesworth and Grandson of Sir Guildford Molesworth. He was Educated at Bradfield College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Military career

As a young man during World World I, Molesworth joined Somerset Light Infantry as 2nd Lieutenant and served as Adjutant from 1916-1919. During this time he served in Malta, North China and India, where he received a Great War Medal). He also served during this time in the Third Anglo-Afghan War, where he was Mentioned in Despatches and received 'medal and clasp'. He also served as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at Army Headquarters India during 1919–21 and 1924, and was made Brigade Major in 1925. Between the years 1926–7 he served as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General at Army Headquarters India.

In 1928 he transferred to the Indian Army, 15th Punjab Regiment. He served as Instructor at the Staff College, Quetta from 1929–33. He was promoted to Bt Lt-Colonel in 1932. Two years later, in 1934, he commanded the 4/15th Punjab Regiment and was made part of the Imperial Defence College in 1935.

From 1936-8 he served as Deputy Director of Military Operations and Intelligence at Army Headquarters India before being promoted to Director in 1938. He served in this position for three years and before being granted title of Deputy Chief of General Staff at Army Headquarters India and the rank of Colonel 4/15th Punjab Regiment which he held from 1941–60.

From 1943-4 he served as Secretary, Military Dept, Indian Office and retired in 1945.

Personal life

Molesworth was in his late 30's when he married Marjorie Frances Simpson in 1927. He died 7 January 1968 at the age of 78.

Honors

*Made CSI 1941
*Made OBE 1950
*Made CBE 1956
*Honorary Colonel 12/Punjab Regiment 1961

"Source": Who Was Who (UK)

Publications

* Molesworth, Lt-Gen. G.N., "Afghanistan 1919" (Asia Publishing House, 1962).