Raymond Sandover

Raymond Ladais Sandover DSO, ED (28 March 1910 – 12 August 1995) was a brigadier in the Australian Army. During the Second World War, he commanded the 2/11th Battalion from 1941 to 1943 and the 6th Australian Infantry Brigade between 1943 and 1945.

Born on 28 March 1910 at Richmond, London, he was educated at Rugby School and the University of Bonn. In 1929, he joined a Territorial battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He qualified as a chartered accountant and went on to work for the family business in Perth, Western Australia. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Sandover volunteered to serve with the Second Australian Imperial Force. Joining the 2/11th Infantry Battalion, he subsequently led them through the Battle of Crete.

Promoted to brigadier in May 1943, at the time he was the youngest officer in the Australian Army to hold that rank.

Sandover was promoted four times from 1941 to 1946.

Sandover commanded the 2/11th Infantry Battalion, the 6th Australian Infantry Brigade and the Lae Base Sub-area. He retired from military service on 19 January 1946.

He was Mentioned in Despatches on three occasions and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for leadership during the advance to the Wide and Open Bay areas during the New Britain Campaign.

• 23 June 1942 – Mentioned in Despatches
• 19 July 1945 – Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished services in the South-West Pacific Area.
• 14 February 1946 – The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for leadership during the advance to the Wide and Open Bay areas in 1945.
• 6 March 1947 – Mentioned in Despatches for exceptional service in the field in the South-West Pacific Area.

After the war he returned to England where he was a director of the family business. He died 12 August 1995 at Surrey, England.