Major General Thomas Wynford Rees, (12 January 1898 – 15 October 1959) was a Welsh officer in the British Indian Army during the First World War, the interwar years and the Second World War Early life and military career The son of the Reverend T. M. Rees, he passed out from the Officer Cadet College, Quetta and was commissioned into the British Indian Army in November 1915 in the 73rd Carnatic Infantry. In September 1916, Rees was transferred to the 125th Napier's Rifles and was promoted to lieutenant a month later. During the First World War, Rees was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Military Cross (MC) and was mentioned in despatches. The citation for his DSO, published in the London Gazette on 29 July 1919, reads: The citation for his MC, published in the London Gazette on 24 September 1918, reads: Between the wars Between the world wars Rees spent much of his time serving on the North West Frontier of India, being mentioned in despatches three more times. He served a term as private secretary to the Governor of Burma, Sir Charles Alexander Innes for which he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in the 1931 New Years honours list. In December 1937 was made brevet lieutenant colonel for "distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with the operations in Waziristan, during the period 25th November, 1936, to i6th January, 1937". Second World War During the Second World War, Rees fought in the East African campaign, the North African campaign, and the Burma campaign. He was awarded a Bar to his DSO and mentioned in despatches twice. As head staff officer of the 4th Indian Infantry Division (GSO1), Rees organised the division's highly successful action during Operation Compass in the Western Desert in 1940. The division then played a key role in defeating the Italian imperial forces in Eritrea during the East African Campaign during which time he was promoted to command Indian 10th Infantry brigade, part of Indian 5th Infantry Division which was fighting alongside 4th Indian Division. 10th Brigade played a leading role in the Battle of Keren, the decisive battle of the campaign. The 5th Indian Division left East Africa in March 1941 spending periods in Iraq, Egypt and Cyprus. In March 1942, Rees was promoted acting major general to command 10th Indian Infantry Division, which was