Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

Field Marshal The Right Honourable Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO (17 November 1887–24 March 1976) was a British Army officer, most noted for his involvement in World War II and often referred to as "Monty".

Later life and controversy

After the war, Montgomery was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in 1946. His reputation was tarnished over two decades after his death by evidence of racism with the 1999 revelation of previously secret papers from 1947-1948 when he held the position of Chief of the Imperial General Staff. During that period he was strictly enjoined to silence about his views, which were contrary to British policy, and agents were assigned to vet his public appearances for compliance.

Related Topics:
1946 - Racism - Chief of the Imperial General Staff

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In 1967, Montgomery campaigned against the legalisation of homosexuality in the United Kingdom arguing that the Sexual Offences Act 1967 was a "charter for buggery" and that "this sort of thing may be tolerated by the French, but we're British - thank God." Ironically, a 2001 book, The Full Monty ISBN 0140283757 by Montgomery's official biographer and long-time friend, Nigel Hamilton, alleged that the general was a "repressed homosexual" who had "quasi love affairs" with numerous young men and boys which fell short of sexual intimacy.http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4142165,00.html

Related Topics:
1967 - Homosexuality - United Kingdom - Sexual Offences Act 1967 - 2001 - Nigel Hamilton

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Montgomery died in 1976 and was interred in the Holy Cross Churchyard, Binstead, Hampshire. His portrait (by Frank O. Salisbury, 1945) is in the National Portrait Gallery.

Related Topics:
1976 - Binstead - Hampshire - Frank O. Salisbury - 1945 - National Portrait Gallery

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