Roland Walker
Sir Roland Walker | |
|---|---|
Royal Agricultural College | |
| Spouse(s) |
Kate White-Thomson (m. 1998) |
KCB, DSO (born 14 May 1970) is a senior British Army officer, serving as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations) since April 2021.[1] He will take up the post of Chief of the General Staff
, the professional head of the British Army, in 2024.
Early life and education
Walker was born on 14 May 1970 in
Royal Agricultural College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.[4]
Military career
Walker was commissioned into the
22 Special Air Service Regiment.[5] Following his time with Special Forces, he became commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards from 2008 to 2010.[4][6] With the Grenadiers, he served a tour in Afghanistan, during which the Ridgeback PPV in which he was travelling was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED): all six soldiers inside escaped uninjured, but the vehicle was thrown into the air, had its wheels blown off and its armour shredded.[6] Walker was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in September 2010 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan.[7]
Walker commanded the
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2023 New Year Honours, thereby granted the title sir.[12]
Walker has been selected to be the next Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, and will take up the post in June 2024.[13][14]
Walker served as
Colonel Commandant of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps from 1 March 2017 to 1 June 2022,[15] and Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Grenadier Guards from 18 June 2017 to 18 June 2022; both ceremonial appointments.[16][17]
Personal life
In 1998, Walker married Kate White-Thomson. They have three daughters and live in Herefordshire.[4]
References
- ^ Notice, gov.uk. Accessed 3 July 2023.
- ^ Who's Who 2024. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ a b "No. 52323". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 November 1990. p. 17191.
- ^ Who's Who 2021. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "Lieutenant General Roly Walker DSO". GOV.UK.
- ^ a b Rayment, Sean (20 June 2010). "Portraits of bravery: commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Roly Walker". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "No. 59554". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 September 2010. p. 18535.
- ^ "No. 60918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 July 2014. p. 2.
- ^ "No. 62226". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 March 2018. p. 4541.
- ^ "Lieutenant General Roly Walker DSO". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "No. 63325". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 April 2021. p. 7239.
- ^ "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N2.
- ^ Harnden, Toby (28 August 2023). "'As a soldier, he's beyond compare': The ex-SAS war hero intent on change for the British Army". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "General Sir Roly Walker appointed new Chief of the General Staff". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "No. 61865". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 March 2017. p. 4890.
- ^ "Regimental Headquarters". Grenadier Guards. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "No. 61971". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 June 2017. p. 11876.