Obituary: Maj-Gen Robert Loudoun

IN DECEMBER 1943 Brigadier Fitzroy Maclean, the head of the Allied Military Mission to the Yugoslav partisans, informed the GOC, General Alexander, that reinforcements were needed if the partisans were to keep the Germans out of Vis, one of the last Dalmatian islands not held by the enemy.

This was an ideal role for commandos. Robert Loudoun as a troop commander with 43 RM Commando was soon involved in some of the fiercest fighting in the area. Alongside were Tito's partisans, a highly efficient, Communist- led guerrilla force including a number of women.

Loudoun never forgot their tenacious defence of their country and developed a lifelong affection for them. Fifty years later, as Chairman of the British Southern Slav Society, he raised funds for medical supplies to stricken areas of the former Yugoslavia and on two occasions drove a lorry-load of supplies there himself.

Loudoun was educated at University College School in Hampstead and joined the Royal Marines in 1940, aged 18. He was promoted to Lance Corporal before being commissioned. He served first with 3rd Battalion RM and was then posted to the newly formed 43 RM Commando.

In November 1943 he was appointed Officer Commanding "C" Troop and saw action at Anzio and in operations across the Garigliano River. 43RM Commando were sent to Vis in February 1944 to reinforce No 2 Commando. From here they carried out a number of raids on neighbouring islands including an unsuccessful attack on Mijet. However, their toughest fight was for Brac, where the Germans held the high ground in the mountains. In the two-hour battle the 280-strong commando suffered 127 casualties. Two out of three troop commanders in 43 Commando were killed and Loudoun was wounded. Tactically the action was a failure but it sufficiently alarmed the Germans who, expecting further attacks, pulled troops out of their search for Tito, which allowed him to escape.

After a long winter in Yugoslavia 43 RM Commando moved to Italy in early 1945. Advancing north against increasing opposition at Lake Comacchio, Corporal Hunter of Loudoun's Sea Troop attacked enemy positions with a Bren gun clearing out one after another until he was killed. For his actions Hunter was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only Royal Marine VC of the war.

Loudoun continued to command Sea Troop for the subsequent operations in the Argenta Gap before returning to the UK where his unit was disbanded after VE Day. He was appointed Troop Commander in 45 RM Commando and although VJ Day had occurred, they embarked to join 3 Commando Brigade in Hong Kong in November 1945. He remained with 45 RM Commando in Hong Kong, Malta, North Africa and Palestine.

After his return to the UK in 1948 staff appointments followed. He became RM instructor at RN College, Greenwich, then A/SO1 American and West Indies station, an appointment he much enjoyed. He then attended the Royal Navy Staff Course before becoming Staff Captain in HQ Plymouth Group. As Adjutant to 40 RM Commando in Malta and Cyprus he brought a calm mind to those complex and troubled times of 1957-58.

On leaving 40 RM Commando he was promoted Major and attended the United States Marine Corp Senior School at Quantico. His next appointment was as naval member of the Joint Planning Team in the MoD. In 1963 he was appointed 2 I/C to 42 Commando and served with them during the confrontation between Indonesia and the Federated States of Borneo. This involved tough and protracted jungle patrols and much work on the "hearts and minds" of the local population. For his work in Borneo he was appointed OBE in 1965.

On his return to the UK, there followed in quick succession the posts of GSO 1 to HQ Commando Forces command of 40 RM Commando in the Far East (Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaya) and Brigadier UK Commandos. He commanded Nato exercises in Greece and Turkey and carried out the initial reconnaissance for a RM role on the northern flank of Nato. What followed was the annual winter deployment to Norway by the Commando Forces Royal Marines.

On promotion he was appointed Major-General RM Training Group from which he retired in 1975. During this busy time he was responsible for the move of the Royal Marines museum in Eastley.

Bob Loudoun enjoyed his career in the Royal Marines and was much admired by his men, for whom he cared deeply. On one occasion he lent his home to a young marine on honeymoon. He was a warm and honest man who could be tough but his strength of purpose carried him and his men through many difficult situations both in war and peace.

After retiring from the Corps, he joined the Mental Health Foundation and became its director in 1977. By the time he retired from there in 1990, he had raised its charitable income from pounds 15,000 to over pounds 1m per annum.

Max Arthur

Robert Beverley Loudoun, marine: born 8 July 1922; OBE 1965; CB 1973; married 1950 Audrey Stevens (two sons); died Bath 28 December 1998.