Colin Maud

Who is Colin Maud?

Captain Colin Douglas Maud DSO* DSC* was a Royal Navy officer who during World War II commanded the destroyers Somali and Icarus and acted as beachmaster of Juno beach at the D-day landings. With a heavy black beard, he "possessed the outward appearance of a latter-day buccaneer and was endowed with exceptional boldness and tenacity to go with it". His iconic blackthorn stick and dog Winnie provided an enduring image when portrayed by Kenneth More in the film The Longest Day. He was described as "one of the most popular officers in the British Navy".