Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smyth-Osbourne in 2019 | |
| Born | (1964-05-18)18 May 1964 (age 61) Plymouth, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1983–2022 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | The Life Guards |
| Commands | London District Household Division 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade Household Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War United Nations Protection Force War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mentioned in Despatches |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Lieutenant GeneralSir Edward Alexander Smyth-Osbourne,KCVO, CBE (born 18 May 1964) is a retired seniorBritish Army officer.
Smyth-Osbourne was born on 18 May 1964 inPlymouth, England.[1] He was educated atEton College, an all-boyspublic school in Berkshire. He studied at theUniversity of St Andrews, graduating with anundergraduate Master of Arts (MA Hons).[1]
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Smyth-Osbourne was commissioned intoThe Life Guards in October 1983.[2] He went on to be Commanding Officer of theHousehold Cavalry Regiment in 2005[3] and in that role deployed toAfghanistan in 2007.[4] He then became commander of the38th (Irish) Brigade in 2009,[5] Director of theISAF Force Reintegration Cell in 2012,[6] andMajor-General commanding the Household Division in July 2013.[7]
Smyth-Osbourne wasPrince William's andPrince Harry's Commanding Officer in the Household Cavalry Regiment and acted as their military mentor. He was also Prince Harry's Commanding Officer when the prince undertook active service in Afghanistan. He was invited to the wedding of Prince William andKate Middleton in April 2011.[4]
Smyth-Osbourne relinquished command of the Household Division on 11 June 2016 and was knighted and invested as aKnight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen.[8] He became Deputy Commander of theNATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy in July 2016,[9] and took command of theAllied Rapid Reaction Corps in July 2019.[10] He retired in April 2022.[11]
Smyth-Osbourne was appointedColonel of The Life Guards andGold Stick in Waiting to the Queen on 7 June 2019.[12]
He was appointed Honorary Colonel Wiltshire Army Cadet Force on 1 December 2024.[13]
In 1996, Smyth-Osbourne married Lucy Turner. Together they have two children: one son and one daughter.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | GOC London District 2013–2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps 2019–2021 | Succeeded by |