Francis Festing

Field Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing GCB KBE DSO (28 August 1902 - 3 August 1976), called 菲士挺 in Chinese, was a field marshal of the British Army. He was father of Fra' Matthew Festing, Grand Master of Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
==Army career==
Educated at Winchester College Festing was commissioned into 3rd Battalion the Rifle Brigade in 1921.Heathcote, Anthony pg 118
In 1940 he became Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and then in 1942 Commander of 29th Infantry Brigade which was deployed to Madagascar.Heathcote, Anthony pg 119
In November 1942 he took command of 36th Division during the Arakan offensive of the Burma Campaign. He was General Officer Commanding Land Forces Hong Kong between 1945 and 1946, and again General Officer Commanding Hong Kong from June to September 1949.Heathcote, Anthony pg 120
He became General Officer Commanding British Troops in Egypt in 1952, General Officer Commanding Eastern Command in 1954 and General Officer Commanding Far East Land Forces in 1956.
From 1958 to 1961 he was Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
==Retirement==
In retirement he collected early firearms and swords.Heathcote, Anthony pg 121
==References==
==Further reading==
* Wilkes, Lyall (1991) Festing - Field Marshal: A study of "Front Line Frankie", G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O. Book Guild Ltd. ISBN 0-86332-532-7
* Heathcote, T.A. (1999). The British Field Marshals 1736-1997. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-696-5
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Category:1902 births
Category:1976 deaths
Category:Old West Downs
Category:Old Wykehamists
Category:Converts to Roman Catholicism
Category:British Field Marshals
Category:British Army World War II generals
Category:English Roman Catholics
Category:Commanders of Hong Kong
Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
Category:Hong Kong soldiers
Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Category:Rifle Brigade officers
Category:East Lancashire Regiment officers
Category:Deputy Lieutenants of Northumberland
ru:Фестинг, Фрэнсис