17 Facts About James Bucknall

James Bucknall graduated the following year and was commissioned into Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards as a second lieutenant on a short service commission on 8 April 1978.

James Bucknall transferred from a short service commission to a regular commission in 1983, retaining seniority in his rank, before promotion to captain in October 1984.

James Bucknall took up a company command, after which he served in a staff post at HQ Northern Ireland, and was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of his services in the province.

James Bucknall was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1995, prior to assuming command of 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards in Germany.

James Bucknall was promoted to colonel in 1999 and, after completing the Higher Command and Staff Course, to brigadier on 31 December 2001, with seniority from 30 June.

James Bucknall returned to Northern Ireland in 2003, taking command of 39th Infantry Brigade, with responsibility for Belfast and the surrounding area during The Troubles.

James Bucknall attained general officer status with promotion to major general on 18 September 2006, whereupon he was appointed Chief of Staff of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and initially deployed to Afghanistan to join, becoming chief of staff to ISAF IX, led by the ARRC.

From 2009 to 2010, James Bucknall served as an Assistant Chief of the General Staff.

James Bucknall was promoted to lieutenant general on 31 August 2010.

James Bucknall retired from the British Army on 23 November 2013.

In 2009, James Bucknall was awarded the Legion of Merit in the degree of Officer by the United States "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations".

James Bucknall was granted unrestricted permission to wear the decoration on his uniform.

James Bucknall was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April 2011 to 30 September 2011".

James Bucknall was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Northern Ireland in the period 1 April to 30 September 1994".

James Bucknall was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Northern Ireland in the period 1 April to 30 September 2003".

James Bucknall was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2013 New Year Honours.

James Bucknall was appointed Colonel of the Coldstream Guards in October 2009, in succession to Sir Michael Rose.