David Block

Brigadier David Arthur Kennedy William Block (13 June 1908 – 2001) was a British Army officer who, during the Second World War, won a Military Cross when commanding "C" Battery of the Ayrshire Yeomanry in North Africa and the DSO in Italy the following year. He was later appointed ADC to the Queen. Early life Block was born at Cothall in Aberdeenshire and was the twin brother of Major-General Adam Block. He was educated at Blundell's School in Tiverton and at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich before being commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1928. In 1931, Block joined the 2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, and went with them to Cairo as adjutant. He was an instructor at RMA Woolwich in 1936 until the outbreak of war. World War II On the outbreak of war Block was posted to the 12th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, TA, in West Lothian, again as adjutant. His obituary records his wartime services in North Africa and Italy: “In April 1943, the Axis forces were slowly being squeezed into a pocket around Tunis. On 9 April, the 26th Armoured Brigade received orders to drive a gap through the high ridges flanking the Fondouk Pass. Standing in their way, guarding the entrance, was the Djebel Rhorab, a rocky outcrop held by German infantry in strength. The armour's advance was blocked by mines and anti-tank guns at the western end of the pass and the task of pushing the enemy off the Rhorab was given to the 1st Guards Brigade. Block, then a major, was the battery commander chosen to accompany a battalion of the Welsh Guards in the attack. The Welsh Guards assaulted the Rhorab under covering fire from the Yeomanry guns. Shells landed only a few yards ahead of the advancing Welshmen, but so well were the Germans dug in that it took four attempts before the position was captured. For his superb fire control and courage during the bitter fighting, Block was awarded a MC.