Steuart Pringle

Sir Steuart Pringle
Born (1928-07-21)21 July 1928
Died 18 April 2013(2013-04-18) (aged 84)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Marines
Years of service 1946–85
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands held Commandant General Royal Marines
45 Commando
Battles/wars Malayan Emergency
Suez Crisis
Cyprus Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Operation Banner
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Lieutenant General Sir Steuart Robert Pringle, KCB (21 July 1928 – 18 April 2013)[1] was a Royal Marines officer who served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 1981 to 1985 and was seriously injured by an IRA car bomb in 1981.

Early life

Pringle was born on 21 July 1928. He was educated at Sherborne School.[2]

Military career

Pringle joined the Royal Marines in 1946.[2] He was appointed commanding officer of 45 Commando in 1971 and, after a tour at Headquarters Commando Forces from 1974 in which role he was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel,[3] he became Major General Commando Forces in 1978.[4]

Pringle went on to be chief of staff to the Commandant General Royal Marines in 1979 and Commandant General Royal Marines in 1981.[4] On 17 October 1981, he was injured by an IRA car bomb attached to his red Volkswagen car outside his home in Dulwich, South London as he went to take his pet black Labrador, Bella to the park for a run. One of the first questions he asked was, “How's my dog?” His dog, Bella, was unscathed but Pringle lost a leg in the incident.[5]

As Commandant General of the Royal Marines, he was seen welcoming the Commandos home following the Falklands War.[6] He was named BBC Pebble Mill Man of the Year for his "outstanding achievement and bravery". He later returned to duties, and retired in 1985.[4]

Later life

In retirement he became Chairman and Chief Executive of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.[4]

Dignities, awards and decorations

Pringle was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1982.[1]

He was awarded a Honorary DSc of City University London in 1982[7] and a Honorary LLD of Exeter University in 1994. He was also an Honorary Admiral of the Texas Navy.[2]

Family

Both Sir Steuart and his father were recognised as the 9th and 10th de facto Pringle Baronets of Nova Scotia respectively during their lifetimes, though DNA evidence taken by Norman Murray Pringle (current 10th Baronet) demonstrated that Sir Steuart's father had been non-biological son of the 8th Baronet. Following Sir Steuart's death the baronetcy was successfully claimed by Norman Murray Pringle, and Sir Steuart and his father were removed from the Roll of Baronets.[8]

In 1953 Sir Steuart married Jacqueline Marie Gladwell.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Daily Telegraph Obituary – Sir Steuart Pringle, Bt". Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Lt General Sir Steuart Robert Pringle, KCB". Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "No. 46440". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 December 1974. p. 13195.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Clan Pringle, clanpringle.org.uk; accessed 22 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Once More, Terror in the Streets", time.com; accessed 22 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Britain's Small Wars Archived 2007-12-28 at the Wayback Machine., britains-smallwars.com; accessed 22 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Honorary Graduates A-Z". City University London. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir John Richards		 Commandant General Royal Marines
1981–1985		 Succeeded by
Sir Michael Wilkins
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