Gerrard-Wright, Maj-Gen – Helped Kenya become independent

Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright (1930-2012)

Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright was a talented officer and natural leader who dealt with exacting postings in Kenya and Northern Ireland.

Richard Eustace John Gerrard-Wright was born on May 9 1930 at Woolsthorpe-By-Belvoir Rectory, the son of the rector and chaplain to the Duke of Rutland.

He was educated at Christ’s Hospital before going to RMA Sandhurst. Commissioned in 1949, he served with the 1st Battalion Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in the Suez Canal Zone and Germany and then in Malaya during the Communist insurgency. He was mentioned in despatches.

After The Royal Lincolns were amalgamated with the Northamptonshire Regiment to form the 2nd East (later Royal) Anglian Regiment and, after returning to Sandhurst as an instructor, he served with this battalion in Germany.

In 1963, after passing the Staff College examination, he attended the Indian Defence Services Staff College in south India.

Gerrard-Wright then became brigade major of the 70th (East African) Brigade in Kenya.

He sat in on cabinet meetings chaired by Jomo Kenyatta and played an important part in preparing the brigade for its role as the basis for the newly independent Kenya army. He was appointed MBE.

In 1966 he moved to Malaysia on being appointed brigade major of 28th (Commonwealth) Brigade.

Gerrard-Wright adopted a pet monkey, called Psmith, whom he promoted lance-corporal. The creature occasionally lost its temper and one day climbed to the top of a tent, where it vented its rage on the occupants by sprinkling them with talcum powder. Psmith was immediately reduced to the ranks.

In 1970 Gerrard-Wright took command of the Royal Anglian Regiment. Two operational tours in Northern Ireland at a time of increasing violence established him as a first-rate battalion commander.

At the end of his tour he was appointed OBE and again mentioned in despatches.

A staff appointment at HQ I (British) Corps in Germany was followed by a return to Northern Ireland in command of 39 Infantry Brigade. He was advanced to CBE in 1977 and attended the Canadian National Defence College, Ontario.

In 1979 Gerrard-Wright returned to HQ 1 (British) Corps as Chief of Staff. He was promoted major-general the following year upon becoming GOC Eastern District. After a spell at the MoD as Director TA and Cadets, in 1985 he was appointed CB on retiring from the Army.