In Depth:  William Stileman

Brigadier David Stileman OBE, who died on June 24, aged 87, was commissioned during World War II and enjoyed an exotic military career before working in the House of Lords.

David Madryll Stileman was born on April 9 1924 in Wimbledon, the son of Arthur Stileman, a naval commander. He was educated at Wellington College in Berkshire, where his speed and size was used to good effect on the rugby field. On leaving Wellington in 1942, he joined the army and was commissioned in the Rifle Brigade the following year.