General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the British Army, has passed away at the age of 80, the army has confirmed. Sir Mike, a much-loved and respected soldier, led the army during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, following previous service in the Balkans and Northern Ireland. In 1999, he famously refused an order from his US commander to intercept Russian forces when they entered Kosovo without Nato’s agreement, reportedly telling General Wesley Clark: “I’m not going to start the Third World War for you.”
Sir Mike died on Tuesday in the company of his family. He was a charismatic straight-talking figure, instantly recognisable by the heavy bags under his eyes and his rich, gravelly voice, which he attributed to whisky and cheroots. He was born into a military family on 21 March 1944 and aged 19, joined the army before graduating from Birmingham University in 1967. At the height of the Cold War, he learnt Russian in the Intelligence Corps, before joining the Parachute Regiment in 1970.
Despite rising to head of the army, Sir Mike never forgot his soldiers and in his later years became an advocate for veterans’ mental health. He was a great leader of men who will be missed by many, according to the Parachute Regimental Association. Sir Mike is survived by three children from two marriages and four grandchildren.
Sir Mike’s passing represents the end of a storied career, including service during one of the most turbulent periods of British history. During his tenure as head of the British Army, he merged old regiments and replaced former Gen Sir Michael Walker just a month before the start of the Iraq war. However, despite these challenges, he remained a highly popular and well-respected figure both within the army and among the public. The British Army released a statement regarding his passing, stating that he would be “greatly missed, and long remembered”
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