- Gordon Messenger
-
Gordon Kenneth Messenger Allegiance 
United KingdomService/branch Royal Marines Years of service 1983–present Rank Major-General Awards DSO & Bar OBE ADC Major General Gordon Kenneth Messenger DSO & Bar OBE ADC is a Royal Marines officer who served as British Commander of Task Force Helmand, during the 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick IX from 2008 to 2009. As a colonel he commanded 40 Commando during the Iraq War, and led the Commando in the assault on the Al-Faw Peninsula.
Messenger was appointed an acting lieutenant on a short career graduate commission on 15 September 1983 (with seniority from 1 September 1982),[1] transferring to a full career commission on 21 May 1986 with seniority from 1 September 1984.[2] At this time he also qualified as a Mountain Leader.[3] In 1995 he graduated from the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course No 21.[4] He was promoted substantive major on 30 June 1997, having previously held the rank locally.[5]
Messenger served with British forces in the former Yugoslavia in 2000 (Kosovo), for which he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[6] He was promoted substantive colonel on 30 June 2002, having previously held the rank on an acting basis.[7][8] For his leadership of 40 Commando (and attached army units) in Iraq, including the initial assault on Al Faw peninsular, and an action against Iraqi armour at Abu Al Khasib, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 31 October 2003.[9][10] After a sabbatical in Geneva, he joined the Joint Force Headquarters as Chief of Staff in July 2004, a job that saw him on various operations worldwide, including Operation Garron, the 2004 tsunami relief effort, Operation Highbrow, the Lebanon evacuation operation, and a six month tour in command of the Operation Herrick preliminary operation in Afghanistan.[3][11] He graduated from the UK Higher Command and Staff Course in 2007 and was promoted brigadier on 24 April 2007.[12] On 1 April 2008 he was appointed an aide-de-camp to the Queen.[13]
He served as the British Commander of Task Force Helmand,[14] during the 3 Commando Brigade deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick IX in 2008–2009. For his leadership during this operation he was awarded a Bar to his DSO on 11 September 2009,[15] the first member of the Naval Service to receive the DSO and Bar for over 50 years.[16] He was promoted major-general in late 2009, and appointed lead spokesman on British operations in Afghanistan.[16]
He is married to Sarah and has three children enjoying running, rugby, rock climbing and real ale.[3]
References
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 49517. p. 13992. 24 October 1983. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 50589. p. 9020. 7 July 1986. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ a b c Royal Marines Website retrieved 2 March 2009.
- ^ CFC Graduates as Operational Commanders. Retrieved 20 May 2008
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 54820. pp. 7549–7550. 30 June 1997. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 56373. p. 12747. 30 October 2001. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 56626. pp. 8183–8184. 9 July 2002. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ The Navy List 2006 retrieved 19 May 2008. Archived April 14, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 57100. p. 4. 30 October 2003. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ Operational Awards for Op TELIC retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ UK Colonel Outlines Afghan Vision retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58309. p. 5869. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58660. p. 5327. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ "3 Commando Brigade take over in Helmand". MoD. 8 Oct 08. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3CommandoBrigadeTakeOverInHelmand.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 59182. p. 15640. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
- ^ a b General seeks support for troops, The Daily Express, 18 December 2009. Retrieved on 10 February 2010
External links
Categories:- Living people
- Royal Marines generals
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Royal Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
- Royal Navy personnel of the Iraq War
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order and Bar
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
