Background
Don Fernando was born on September 14, 1913, at Madrid.
Don Fernando was born on September 14, 1913, at Madrid.
Went from school in 1930 to the General Military Academy, graduating as an officer in June 1934.
His first posting was to a cavalry regiment at Tetuan, Spanish Morocco, in 1934. He returned to Spain for active service in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. After the war he took courses in tanks, air-to-ground cooperation, and the staff course for higher commands which brought him a special commendation as an outstanding officer.
He was subsequently posted to the Moroccan Army Corps, then returned to the army command at Valencia. Next he joined the Central Army Staff and was later posted to no. 1 Sahara Regiment. After being chief instructor at the Cavalry Academy he was transferred to the Spanish Foreign Legion with the Alejandro Femesio IV Sahara Regiment. Then he joined the Chief of General Staff of the Sahara Sector. In June 1969 he was promoted colonel and appointed Secretary-General of the government.
Light-hand man of the Governor- General with a deep knowledge of the territory after long service as a cavalry officer commanding regiments in the Sahara. Patient with problems of administration and ever ready to listen to the chiefs, fostering their conservative nationalism but firmly opposed to any liberalisation of the old system.