Lieutenant General James Ian Bashall, CB, CBE (born 3 April 1962) is a former British Army officer who served as Commander Home Command from 2015 to 2018. From 2019 to 2023 he was the National President of the Royal British Legion.
James Bashall | |
|---|---|
 Major General Bashall in 2012 | |
| Born | 3 April 1962 Marlborough, Wiltshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1984–2018 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Home Command 1st (UK) Armoured Division 1st Mechanized Brigade 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mentioned in Despatches |
Early life and education
editBashall was born on 3 April 1962 in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England.[1] He was educated at Marlborough College, a private boarding school.[2]
Military career
editBashall was commissioned in to the Parachute Regiment in 1984.[3] By 2002 he had become Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment[4] serving in Afghanistan.[5]
He commanded 1st Mechanized Brigade[6] based in Basra in Southern Iraq during Operation Telic in 2007.[7] He was appointed Director Army Division of the Defence Academy at Shrivenham in January 2009[2] and went on to be Chief of Joint Force Operations in December 2009:[8] in this capacity he masterminded the covert Special Air Service rescue operations across war-torn Libya in early 2011.[7] He became General Officer Commanding 1st (UK) Armoured Division in April 2011,[8] Chief of Staff, Operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters, Northwood in August 2012[9] and Commander Personnel and Support Command in June 2015 (his role was re-designated Commander Home Command in May 2016).[10][11][12] Bashall retired from the British Army on 27 October 2018.[13]
Later life
edit
Bashall was appointed as the National President of the Royal British Legion in May 2019.[14] When appointed, Bashall said "It is an honour to be appointed as the National President of The Royal British Legion, a charity with an esteemed history, and one that plays a vital role in today’s Armed Forces community."[15] He served in his position until May 2023.[15]
References
edit- ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007
- ^ a b "Welcome to Marlborough College – Marlborough College". 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ "No. 50179". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 July 1985. p. 9048.
- ^ Into the Afghan Minefield BBC News, 24 February 2002
- ^ Day the white tin hats met the Red Berets Daily Telegraph, 11 January 2002
- ^ The 'proxy war': UK troops are sent to Iranian border The Independent, 12 September 2007
- ^ a b Commander who led SAS rescue is hero of Iraq war Archived 14 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Evening Standard, 28 February 2011
- ^ a b Handover of UK Armoured division takes place in Germany Archived 14 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine British Forces News, 1 April 2011
- ^ Defence Viewpoints; Promotions, leavers, new jobs; May 2012
- ^ "A new painting marks Army's relationship with Scotland over last 100 years". Ministry of Defence. 7 October 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Over 200 new Gurkhas join the ranks of the Brigade". Welcome to the Gurkha Brigade Association. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ "No. 61301". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 July 2015. p. 13380.
- ^ "No. 62451". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 October 2018. p. 19634.
- ^ "Governance". Royal British Legion. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Our new National President and National Chairman". Royal British Legion. Retrieved 10 January 2020.