In March 1941 he was knighted via Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) and on 14 April 1941 he was given command of the Western Desert Force (later redesignated XIII Corps).
I marts 1941 blev han udnævnt til ridder Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) og den 14. april fik han kommandoen over Western Desert Force (senere omdøbt til 13. korps).