David Capewell

Sir David Capewell
Lieutenant General Capewell (right) in 2013
Born (1959-08-21) 21 August 1959 (age 65)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Marines
Years of service1979–2016
RankLieutenant General
CommandsChief of Joint Operations
3 Commando Brigade
40 Commando
Battles / warsOperation Banner
International Force for East Timor
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Lieutenant General Sir David Andrew Capewell, KCB, OBE (born 21 August 1959) is a retired Royal Marines officer who served as Chief of Joint Operations from 2011 to 2015.

Early life and education

Capewell was born on 21 August 1959 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. He was educated at Holme Valley Grammar School, a grammar school in Holme Valley, Yorkshire.[1]

Military career

Capewell was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1979, holding a special short-service commission.[2] He was confirmed in the rank of lieutenant on 1 September 1983 (seniority from 1 February),[3] and was transferred to a full career commission on 29 October 1985 (seniority from 1 February 1983).[4]

As a junior officer, Capewell served in Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He was promoted to major on 31 December 1994.[5] He became Chief of Staff of 3 Commando Brigade in 1998.[2] He was promoted to colonel on 31 December 1999 and appointed Commanding Officer of 40 Commando in March 2000.[6] In January 2002, he was appointed Chief of Staff, UK Joint Force Headquarters, in which role he served as Chief of Operations and Intelligence to the British Commander for the invasion of Iraq.[2] He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2002 Birthday Honours for service in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.[7]

Capewell went on to be British Liaison Officer to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States in 2004, and was promoted to brigadier on 18 October 2004.[8] He became Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) at Permanent Joint Headquarters in May 2005 and Commander of 3 Commando Brigade in June 2007.[2] Promoted to major general on 6 May 2008,[9][10] on his appointment as Deputy Commander NATO Rapid Deployable Italian Corps,[2] he became Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) at the Ministry of Defence in August 2010[11] and Chief of Joint Operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters in December 2011, with the rank of lieutenant general from 13 December.[12][13]

Capewell was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2014 New Year Honours for commanding UK Global Operations during a period of unprecedented volatility.[14][15]

Family

Capewell is married to Deborah and has two daughters.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Capewell, Lt Gen. Sir David (Andrew), (born 21 Aug. 1959), Chief of Joint Operations, 2011–14". Who's Who 2020. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2008. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U247136.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Major General DA Capewell OBE". NATO. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  3. ^ "No. 49460". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 August 1983. p. 11421.
  4. ^ "No. 50398". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 January 1986. p. 552.
  5. ^ "No. 53902". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1994. p. 54.
  6. ^ "No. 55728". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 2000. p. 218.
  7. ^ "No. 56595". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 June 2002. p. 5.
  8. ^ "No. 57447". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 2004. p. 13487.
  9. ^ "No. 58690". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 May 2008. p. 6865.
  10. ^ "No. 58702". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 May 2008. p. 7605.
  11. ^ "Ministry of Defence and Tri-service Senior Appointments" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  12. ^ "Up and out : Promotions, retirements, new posts for senior UK military personnel September 2011". Defence Viewpoints. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  13. ^ "No. 59994". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 December 2011. p. 23791.
  14. ^ "No. 60728". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2013. p. 2.
  15. ^ New Year Honours 2014 Military Division
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Joint Operations
2011–2015 		Succeeded by