As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Home / People / William E. Fairbairn

Historical person

William E. Fairbairn

1885–1960

William E. Fairbairn was a British police officer and close-combat instructor who served for decades with the Shanghai Municipal Police. Drawing on street violence and martial arts, he developed practical methods of armed and unarmed combat later taught to Allied commandos and Special Operations Executive personnel.

In non-fiction, William E. Fairbairn is discussed in Giles Milton’s Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. In Giles Milton’s Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Figures including Colin Gubbins and William Fairbairn helped turn improvised weapons, demolitions and close-combat methods into a system for clandestine warfare.

Non Fiction

Non Fiction featuring William E. Fairbairn (1 book)

Biographies, histories and other non-fiction are listed separately from the historical novels above.