Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank Dies at 86: Former Chief of Defence Staff and Adviser to Tony Blair
Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, has passed away at the age of 86. A distinguished senior officer in the British Army, Guthrie was a key military figure during the early years of the Tony Blair government, serving as Chief of the General Staff and later as Chief of the Defence Staff.
Guthrie was widely regarded as a strategic adviser with close ties to Prime Minister Tony Blair. He played a pivotal role in some of Britain’s most high-profile military interventions, including Kosovo and Sierra Leone, endorsing actions such as the controversial bombing of Serbia. Despite perceptions of him as a “political general,” Guthrie emphasized his focus on defending the armed forces strategically, advising on what was feasible and what should be avoided.
Known for his blunt manner and craggy features, Guthrie had a reputation for standing firm in defence of military spending. He often clashed with then-Chancellor Gordon Brown over defence priorities, famously telling Brown, “Chancellor, you know fuck all,” when discussing naval expenditures. Guthrie criticized the order for two aircraft carriers in Scotland as outdated “behemoths” ill-suited to modern warfare.
Born in London on 17 November 1938 to Nina (née Llewelyn) and Ronald Guthrie, he was educated at Harrow, where he excelled at rugby and later met Winston Churchill. Choosing the Welsh Guards rather than a Scottish regiment, Guthrie trained at Sandhurst, graduating in 1959. He later served in the SAS, Aden, Kenya, Malaysia, and Belfast, gaining a reputation for leadership during the early Troubles in Northern Ireland.
His career advanced through a series of high-profile military roles, including overseeing Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee ceremonies and serving in Berlin and South Armagh. In 1994, he became Chief of the General Staff amid the escalating war in Bosnia, and three years later was promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff as Kosovo and Sierra Leone crises unfolded.
After retiring in 2001, Guthrie was made a life peer and sat as a crossbencher in the House of Lords. He received the honorary title of field marshal in 2012 and held ceremonial roles including Gold Stick in Waiting to the Queen. He also served as director of NM Rothschild, chancellor of Liverpool Hope University, and visiting professor at King’s College London. His publications include Just War (2007) and his memoir Peace, War and Whitehall (2021).
Guthrie married Catherine Worrall, daughter of a Coldstream Guards colonel, in 1971; she passed away in 2022. He is survived by their two sons, David and Andrew.
Lord Guthrie’s legacy is remembered for his strategic acumen, dedication to the British Army, and willingness to speak candidly on matters of national defence.
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