John Masters


John Masters

Born26 October 1914
Died7 May 1983(1983-05-07) (aged 68)
OccupationArmy officer and author
NationalityBritish
Alma materWellington College, Berkshire

Royal Military College, Sandhurst

Staff College, Quetta
GenreHistorical fiction
Memoir
Years active1933–1983
SpouseBarbara Phoebe Masters (1910–1998)
Military career
AllegianceBritish India
United Kingdom
BranchBritish Indian Army
British Army
Service years1933–1949
RankLieutenant colonel
Awards Distinguished Service Order

Lieutenant-Colonel John Masters, DSO, OBE (26 October 1914 – 7 May 1983) was a British army officer and novelist. During World War II, he served with the Chindits behind Axis lines in Burma, and became the GSO1 (chief staff officer) of the 19th Indian Infantry Division. Masters is principally known for his historical novels set in India, notably Bhowani Junction, which was turned into a successful 1956 film. He also wrote a three-volume autobiography, which was positively received by critics.