Career
John Aldan Aizlewood was commissioned into 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards on 12 August 1914. After the War he became a Brigade Major in India in 1927 and then from 1938 to 1939 he was Commanding Officer of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. He was promoted Colonel 1 August 1939 with seniority 25 May 1939.
He also served in World World War II initially becoming Commander of 3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade in 1939.
In August 1941 as part of Paiforce (formerly Iraqforce), Brigadier Aizlewood commanded Hazelforce and the 2nd Indian Armoured Brigade Group during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia. He moved on to be Commander of 30th Armoured Brigade in 1942 and 42nd Armoured Division also later in 1942.
Returning to the United Kingdom he was appointed Commander of Essex and Suffolk District in 1943 and acting General Officer Commanding-in-Chief for Eastern Command in 1944 while Sir Alan Cunningham was away: he retired 9 May 1945 as an honorary Major General. In retirement he was Colonel of 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards from 1948 to 1958.
