'Prince of Darkness' army chief Mike Jackson remembered for leadership - and role in Troubles

Tributes person poured successful for erstwhile British Chief of the General Staff Sir Mike Jackson aft his decease Tuesday, but his notoriety arsenic 'Prince of Darkness' and his relation during The Troubles successful Northern Ireland casts a shadow

General Sir Mike Jackson, who died surrounded by household aged 80 connected Tuesday, has been remembered for his inspiring leadership.

As Chief of the General Staff, the father-of-three led the Army during the allied invasion of Iraq successful 2003, aft serving successful Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

The Parachute Regimental Association said helium was a “great person of men” who volition beryllium “missed by many”. Home Office curate Dan Jarvis, a erstwhile Parachute Regiment serviceman who served alongside Sir Mike, described him arsenic a “soldier’s soldier”.

Mr Jarvis, who aboriginal became Sir Mike’s idiosyncratic unit officer, said helium was a “true airborne legend” and an “outstanding, inspirational and charismatic leader”.

The British Army said: “It is with large sadness that we person learnt of the decease of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, connected October 15 surrounded by his family. He volition beryllium greatly missed and agelong remembered.”

Sir Mike gained a estimation arsenic a pugnacious and uncompromising worker – his men reportedly nicknamed him Darth Vader and the Prince of Darkness owed to his chill mode and gravel voice.

Born connected March 21, 1944, Sir Mike was educated astatine Stamford School, Lincs, and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Berks, earlier being commissioned arsenic an service serviceman successful 1963. He earned a grade successful Russian studies from Birmingham University portion serving successful the Intelligence Corps. He joined the Parachute Regiment, besides serving successful Malaysia, Hong Kong and Anguilla successful the Caribbean.

The astir celebrated communicative astir him is when, arsenic a platoon commandant with 3 Para, helium backed James Blunt successful a quality with US General Wesley Clark.

Captain Blunt – aboriginal a popular prima – had refused to face Russian forces astatine Pristina airdrome successful Kosovo successful 1999. Supporting Capt Blunt, Gen Jackson told his American Nato superior: “Sir, I’m not going to commencement the Third World War for you.”

But helium leaves a contentious bequest successful Northern Ireland, having served successful the portion during the Troubles. Sir Mike was 2nd successful bid connected the crushed connected Bloody Sunday successful January 1972, erstwhile troops opened occurrence connected civilian rights demonstrators, sidesplitting 13.