Wingate Family Genealogy & History

Major General Orde Charles Wingate (1903–1944) was a prominent British Army officer renowned for his innovative military strategies during World War II. He pioneered the Chindit deep-penetration missions in Japanese-occupied Burma and was known for his unconventional tactics and surprise attacks. Wingate also established the Special Night Squads in Palestine, effectively blending British and Jewish forces for counter-insurgency efforts. His self-reliant and aggressive approach caught the attention of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, securing resources for large-scale operations that influenced the Battle of Kohima.

Born in Naini Tal, India, into a military family, Orde Wingate was the eldest of three sons. His father, Colonel George Wingate, was a dedicated member of the Plymouth Brethren and married Mary Ethel from the Orde Browne family. The Wingate children were raised with a strong Christian education, emphasizing independent thought and self-reliance. The family moved to England, where Wingate attended Charterhouse as a day student.

Lisa Wingate, an acclaimed American writer born in 1965 in Germany, is renowned for her significant contributions to contemporary literature. Her novel "Before We Were Yours," inspired by the Tennessee Children's Home Society scandal, remained on the New York Times bestseller list for fifty-four weeks and has sold over two million copies. Wingate's extensive bibliography includes over thirty novels, with notable series such as Tending Roses and Carolina Chronicles. Her works have garnered numerous accolades, including the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize and the 2017 Goodreads Choice Award for historical fiction. Her collaboration with Judy Christie resulted in "Before and After," a nonfiction companion to her bestselling novel, further cementing her reputation in literary circles.

Sir Francis Reginald Wingate, 1st Baronet, was a distinguished British general and administrator, renowned for his significant role in the Sudan, earning him the moniker "Wingate of the Sudan." His military career spanned from his early enlistment in the Royal Artillery to pivotal roles in the Egyptian and Sudanese campaigns, including contributions to the Gordon Relief Expedition and the reconquest of the Sudan. Wingate held high-profile positions such as Governor-General of the Sudan and High Commissioner in Egypt, and his efforts in military intelligence and administration were instrumental in British colonial endeavors.

Born in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Wingate was the seventh son of Andrew Wingate, a Glasgow textile merchant, and Elizabeth Turner, daughter of a wealthy Dublin-based iron founder. Following his father's death, the family relocated to Jersey, where Wingate was educated, marking the beginning of his illustrious journey.

Sir Ronald Evelyn Leslie Wingate, 2nd Baronet, was a distinguished British colonial administrator, soldier, and author, renowned for his service in the Indian Civil Service and his role in military deception during World War II. With notable positions such as Assistant Commissioner in Punjab, British Consul in Muscat, and Deputy Controller of the London Controlling Section, Wingate was instrumental in strategic wartime operations, including Operation Bodyguard. His literary contributions include memoirs and biographies, notably of his father and General Hastings Ismay, enhancing his multifaceted legacy.

Ronald Wingate was born to Reginald Wingate, a prominent British general in Egypt and Sudan, and Catherine Wingate. His familial connections include being a cousin to Lawrence of Arabia and Orde Wingate, reflecting a rich heritage of military and exploratory prominence.