David Rutherford-Jones | |
---|---|
Born | 11 August 1958 |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Years of service | 1977–2011 |
Rank | Major General |
Service number | 504501 |
Commands held |
The Light Dragoons 20th Armoured Brigade Royal Military Academy Sandhurst |
Battles/wars |
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Kosovo War Iraq War |
Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service |
Major General David John Rutherford-Jones, CB (born 11 August 1958) is a retired British Army officer and former Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Rutherford-Jones was born on 11 August 1958 [1] and educated at Lancing College, West Sussex, from 1972 to 1976. [2]
After attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Rutherford-Jones was commissioned into the 15th/19th Hussars as a second lieutenant on 6 August 1977. [3] He was promoted to lieutenant on 6 August 1979, [4] to captain on 6 February 1984, [5] and major on 30 September 1990. [6] In 1991, he commanded B squadron, 15th/19th Hussars during a 6-month tour of duty as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. [1]
Rutherford-Jones served as chief of staff of the 1st Mechanised Brigade from 1993 to 1996. [1] He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1996. [7] He served at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe as a Staff Officer (Class 1) in the Joint Operation Centre from 1996 to 1997, [1] and was chief of staff of the 3rd (UK) Division prior to the Kosovo War. [1] He was then commanding officer of The Light Dragoons. [1] While CO, the regiment served for a time in the Balkans. [8] He was promoted to colonel on 30 June 2000, [9] and to brigadier on 31 December 2001 with seniority from 30 June 2001. [10]
Rutherford-Jones commanded the 20th Armoured Brigade during tours of duty in Kosovo (2001/02) and Iraq (2003/04). He was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the former Yugoslavia during the period 1st October 2001 to 31st March 2002". [11] He became Director of the Royal Armoured Corps in 2005, [12] and was appointed Aide de Camp to Queen Elizabeth II from 12 December 2005 to 1 October 2007. [13] [14] On 14 August 2007, he was promoted to major general and appointed Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. [15] In September 2009, he became Military Secretary. [12] Rutherford-Jones was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2010 Birthday Honours, [16] and retired from the army on 25 May 2011. [17]
Rutherford-Jones was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal Corps of Army Music on 31 October 2009. [18] [19]
Upon retirement, Rutherford-Jones became Chief Executive of the charity Morden College. [2] He has been a trustee of Blind Veterans UK since 2011. [8]
Rutherford-Jones is married to Sarah and has two children: George and Alice. [20]