Maj Gen Corran Purdon died peacefully during the early hours of Wednesday 27th June.
Corran Purdon was Commander of the Sultan’s Armed Forces in the rank of Brigadier 1967-1970.
He was commissioned into the Royal Ulster Rifles early in the Second World War. He subsequently joined 12 Commando and took part in the Raid on St Nazaire in 1942. He was awarded the Military Cross for demolishing a vital wheelhouse in the Normandie Dock and was wounded and captured whilst trying to make his escape.
Lieutenant Purdon became a dedicated escaper and was finally locked up in Colditz Castle. When he was liberated by the Americans, he and another Rifles officer decided that they wanted to have another crack at the enemy, so they fought in the ranks with the American Army until VE Day.
He went on to command the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles in Borneo and fought in the undeclared war against the Indonesian Regular Army. Following this he became Chief Instructor & OC All Arms Tactical Division at the School of Infantry in Warminster.
After his tenure as CSAF, he returned to the School of Infantry as Commandant. He then progressed to GOC North West District and finally GOC Near East Land Forces in Cyprus.
On retiring from the Army, General Purdon took up the post of Deputy Commissioner in the Royal Hong Kong Police.
He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the London Irish Rifles, and later became President of their Regimental Association.
His first wife, Patricia, pre-deceased him and he was subsequently married to Jean in June 2009 at the age of 88.
His son, Colonel Tim Purdon also served in SAF for two periods, in MR during 1969 and KJ from 1976 to 1977.
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