David Stirling
World War II British Army officer, and the founder of the Special Air Service (1915-1990) · United Kingdom · On the map · Died at 74
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling was a Scottish officer in the British Army and the founder and creator of the Special Air Service (SAS). Under his leadership, the SAS carried out hit-and-run raids behind the Axis lines of the North African campaign.
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Lieutenant Colonel Stirling with Lieutenant Edward McDonald and other SAS soldiers in North Africa, 1943
Members of the 'French Squadron SAS' (1ere Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes) in Tunisia.
Previously a company of Free French paratroopers, the French SAS squadron were the first of a range of units 'acquired' by Major Stirling as the SAS expanded.
Statue of David Stirling by Angela Conner near Doune, ScotlandAwards
About this person
He saw active service during the Second World War until he was captured in January 1943. He spent the rest of the war in captivity, despite making several attempts to escape.