David McDowall (British Army officer)

For the criminologist, see David McDowall (criminologist).

David McDowall
Born (1954-08-16) 16 August 1954 (age 70)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1973–2009
RankMajor General
Commands2nd Division
1st Signals Brigade
Battles / warsOperation Banner
Bosnian War
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire

Major General David McDowall, CBE (born 16 August 1954) is a former British Army officer who commanded the 2nd Division from 2007 to 2009.

Military career

McDowall joined the British Army as a private in the Royal Corps of Signals at the age of 18.[1] He was commissioned into the corps in 1981,[2] and later commanded a squadron in operations in Northern Ireland and a regiment in operations during the Bosnian War.[1] He went on to be commander 1st Signal Brigade and then Signal Officer-in-Chief,[3] before being appointed General Officer Commanding 2nd Division and Governor of Edinburgh Castle[4] in 2007 and retiring in 2009.[5]

McDowall has served as a member of the British Government's Panel on Fair Access to the Professions,[6] and military advisor to the First Minister of Scotland.[7]

In 2024, he became President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.[8]

Family

McDowall is married to Valerie; they have two sons and a daughter.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Scotland's top soldier on his rise through the ranks from council estate to top brass Daily Record, 11 August 2008
  2. ^ "No. 48928". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 1982. p. 4009.
  3. ^ Recent Branch Activities Archived 11 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine the Mercury, 2003/4
  4. ^ "No. 58330". The London Gazette. 18 May 2007. p. 7193.
  5. ^ Army Commands Archived 5 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ David McDowall interview: The class warrior The Scotsman, 29 January 2009
  7. ^ Salmond faces flak on recruitment of military adviser Glasgow Herald, 9 October 2009
  8. ^ "Officials". RSPBA. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by General Officer Commanding 2nd Division
2007–2009 		Succeeded by