Lieut-General Pownall Appointed Chief Of Local Defence Volunteers -- Lieutenant- general H. R. Pownall leaving his London home to take up his new duties. Lieutenant-general H. R. Pownall, formerly General Lord Gort's Chief of Staff, has been appointed Inspector-General of the Local Defence Volunteer Force. This is a new ***** necessitated by the growing instance of the Local Defence Volunteers. General Pownall will inspect and check the organisation, equipment and ***** and ensure that ***** standard. He is 53 yeas. June 20, 1940.