David Pennefather

Major General David Anthony Somerset Pennefather, CB, OBE (born 17 May 1945) is a former Royal Marines officer who served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 1996 to 1998.

David Pennefather
Born	(1945-05-17) 17 May 1945
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Marines
Years of service	1965–1998
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Commandant General Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade 42 Commando
Battles/wars	Bosnian War
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Military career

Pennefather was educated at Wellington College, then joined the Royal Marines in 1963.[1] He was commissioned as an acting lieutenant in 1965.[2] He was Commanding Officer of 42 Commando from 1988 to 1990[3] and was appointed OBE in 1990 "in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland".[4] He became Commander of 3 Commando Brigade in 1992 and Commander of the United Nations Rapid Reaction Force during the Bosnian War[5] for which he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[6] He went on to be Commandant General Royal Marines in 1996 before retiring in 1998.[7]

Later life

In retirement he became Secretary of the Royal Humane Society[8] and a director of the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth.[9]

References

1. PENNEFATHER, Maj.-Gen. David Anthony Somerset, Who's Who 2017, A & C Black, 2017 (online edition, Oxford University Press, 2016)
2. "No. 43836". The London Gazette. 10 December 1965. p. 11546.
3. Combat Zone
4. "No. 52324". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 November 1990. p. 17199.
5. War and Peacekeeping in the Former Yugoslavia
6. "No. 54393". The London Gazette. 10 May 1996. p. 6546.
7. Royal Navy Senior Appointments Archived March 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
8. Sailor Carl hailed a hero after digger sea rescue Tameside Advertiser, 8 December 2004
9. Major General David Anthony Somerset Pennefather

Military offices
Preceded by Sir Robin Ross	Commandant General Royal Marines 1996–1998	Succeeded by Robert Fulton