Michael Donald Keen Dauncey DSO DL

Received from RHQ:
BRIGADIER MICHAEL DONALD KEEN DAUNCEY DSO DL 9 MAY 1920 – 23 AUG 17
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Brigadier Mike Dauncey on 23 Aug 17, aged 97 following a period of illness in hospital.
Brigadier Mike will have been known to many in the Army Air Corps as a significant figure in the Second World War Glider Pilot Regiment and in the Association. He commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment in 1941 and volunteered for service in the Glider Pilot Regiment in 1943. He was posted to G Squadron and flew into Arnhem with the first lift on 17 Sep 44. During the course of the battle he was part of the screen around the British HQ area in Oosterbeek leading a composite group of soldiers in attacks on German armour and strongpoints. He was blinded in one eye on 24 Sep 44 but continued fighting. During a raid against German tanks on 25 Sep 44 he was wounded again; so severely that he could not be evacuated as the British force withdrew. Though taken prisoner he managed to escape with another officer from a hospital in Utrecht where he was being treated. They managed to make contact with the Dutch resistance, who looked after them until they could get back to Allied lines in Feb 45. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions at Arnhem.
Brigadier Mike continued in service and held a variety of appointments including MA to CinC LF Greece, BM 126 Inf Bde, Comdt of both Jungle Warfare School and Support Weapons Wing at the School of Infantry, Command of the Cheshire Regiment, and was later appointed as Colonel of the Regiment. His final tour was as Defence Attaché to the British Embassy in Madrid.
He married Marjorie in Sep 45 (who predeceased him). They settled in Gloucester, where he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 1983.
Our thoughts are with his family and with the many friends whose lives he touched.
His funeral service will be held on Wed 13 Sep 17 at 1400 in St Giles Church, Uley, Gloucestershire. Please inform RHQ AAC if you intend to attend the service so that we may inform the family.