General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the British army who commanded troops in the 2003 Iraq war, has died aged 80.
The former chief of the general staff died on Tuesday surrounded by his family.
Jackson, who was given the moniker “the Prince of Darkness” for his composed manner and gravelly voice, also served in senior command posts in Kosovo during the 1990s.
The British army wrote on X: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, on 15 October surrounded by his family.
“General ‘Jacko’ served with distinction for over 40 years, finishing his career as Chief of the General Staff.
“He will be greatly missed, and long remembered. Utrinque Paratus.”
Born into a forces family, Jackson was commissioned into the army as an officer from Sandhurst in 1963.
He transferred to the Parachute Regiment in 1970, serving several tours in Northern Ireland and commanding the regiment’s 1st battalion between 1984 and 1986. The father of three also served in Bosnia.
In 1989, while holding the rank of brigadier, he spent six months at Cambridge University as the services fellow at Wolfson College. He completed his thesis only weeks before the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
As adjutant of the Parachute Regiment’s 1st battalion, he was present on Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972 in Derry when paratroopers shot dead 13 protesters during a civil rights march.
Jackson made a full apology for the shootings in 2011 and acknowledged the men had been killed “without justification” after the publication of the Saville inquiry’s report, which called the incident a ‘‘catastrophe’’ for Northern Ireland.
He was appointed chief of the general staff a month before controversial Iraq invasion and was in the role until 2006.
Jackson was succeeded by Gen Sir Richard Dannatt and retired from the army after serving for almost 45 years.
He was rewarded with a DSO (companion of the Distinguished Service Order) for his “highly successful command and leadership during active operations” in Kosovo, and a fourth star to become commander-in-chief, United Kingdom Land Command.
The Parachute Regimental Association said he was a “great leader of men” who will be “missed by many”.
• This article was amended on 16 October 2024 to more accurately describe the people shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
