Philip Christison - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

Christison was born in Edinburgh, the eldest son of five children of Sir Alexander Christison, 3rd Baronet and his second wife, Florence. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy and University College, Oxford where as a cadet, in the university's Officer Training Corps he was made second lieutenant in March 1914.

Christison was commissioned into the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1914 and during World War I he saw action in the battles of Loos where he was awarded the Military Cross, the Somme and Arras. In July 1917 he was awarded a bar to his MC. The citation for this award reads

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award a Bar to the Military Cross to the undermentioned Officers.
2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Alexander Frank Philip Christison, M.C., Cam. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed the utmost courage and determination in pushing back the enemy and clearing the north side of the village. By his tireless energy he succeeded in getting the position consolidated under heavy fire. (Military Cross gazetted 14th January, 1916.)

In 1919, he relinquished his last wartime appointment as second command of the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in the rank of acting major and reverted the rank of captain, taking up the post of adjutant of a Territorial Army unit in 1920.

After vacating his position as adjutant of the 4th battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers in November 1923, Christison was assistant manager of the British Olympic team in Paris in 1924 which was followed by a further appointment as an adjutant, this time with his regiment. Still a captain, he attended the Staff College, Camberley from January 1927 after which he was appointed as a staff officer grade 3 (GSO3) at the War Office.

Having been made a brevet major in January 1930, a sign of approval and likely future promotion at a time when prospects for promotion in the peacetime army were slow, Christison saw service from January 1931 as the brigade major (a brigade's senior staff officer) of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, relinquishing the appointment in January 1933. He was promoted to major in November 1933.

In 1934 Christison was made a brevet lieutenant-colonel and returned the Staff College as an instructor (GSO2) where he became good friends with a fellow instructor, Bill Slim.

In February, 1937 Lieutenant Colonel AFP Christison MC, was appointed commander of the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment in the Multan area of the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province. In February 1938 he was promoted to Colonel and selected to command a brigade in India.