| Sir John Akehurst | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1930 |
| Died | 20 February 2007 (aged 77) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held |
2nd bn Royal Anglian Regiment Dhofar Brigade 4th Armoured Division Staff College, Camberley UK Field Army |
| Battles/wars | Dhofar Rebellion |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
General Sir John Bryan Akehurst, KCB, CBE (12 February 1930 – 20 February 2007) was a British Army General who rose to be Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Military career[]
Educated at Cranbrook School and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, John Akehurst was commissioned into the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1949.[1] He was seconded to the Malay Regiment in 1952 during the Malayan emergency.[2] He was appointed Commanding Officer of 2nd battalion Royal Anglian Regiment in 1968.[2]
In 1974 he commanded the Dhofar Brigade of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces against a communist-inspired armed insurrection during the Dhofar Rebellion.[1]
He spent two years as Deputy Military Secretary from 1976 to 1978 and then became General Officer Commanding 4th Armoured Division in 1979.[1] In 1982 he was appointed Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley and in 1984 he became Commander of the UK Field Army.[1] His final appointment was as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in 1987; he retired in 1990.[1]
Family[]
In 1955 he married Shirley Anne Webb.[2] Their two children died in childhood from cystic fibrosis.[2]
References[]
Bibliography[]
- We Won a War: The Campaign in Oman 1965-1975 by John Akehurst, Russell Publishing, 1982, ISBN 978-0-85955-091-8
- Generally Speaking: Then Hurrah for the life of a Soldie by John Akehurst. Published by Michael Russell Publishing Ltd, 1999, ISBN 978-0859552530
The original article can be found at John Akehurst (British Army officer) and the edit history here.