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{{Short description|British Army general from 1973 to 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{redirect|Nicholas Parker}}
{{otherpeople|Nicholas Parker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name = General Sir Nick Parker
| honorific_prefix = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
| name = Sir Nick Parker
|birth_date = 1954
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the Bath|KCB]] [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] [[Deputy Lieutenant|DL]]
|birth_place =
| image = General Sir Nick Parker (8674855378) (cropped).jpg
|death_place =
| image_size =
|image =Sir Nick Parker cropped.jpg
| alt = The head and shoulders of a dark-haired man in green jumper
|caption = General Sir Nick Parker
| caption = General Sir Nick Parker in 2013
|imagealt= The head and shoulders of a dark-haired man in desert camouflage
|nickname =
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|10|13|df=yes}}
|branch = [[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
| birth_place =
|allegiance = {{UK}}
| death_date =
|serviceyears = 1973–2012
| death_place =
|rank = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
| placeofburial =
|commands = 2 Bn the [[Royal Green Jackets]]<br />[[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]]<br />[[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]]<br />[[HQ Northern Ireland]]<br />[[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Regional Forces]]<br />UK Contingent Commander, [[Afghanistan]]<br />[[International Security Assistance Force]], Afghanistan
| allegiance = United Kingdom
|unit =
| branch = [[British Army]]
|battles = [[Sierra Leone Civil War]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[Operation Banner]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
| serviceyears = 1973–2013
|awards = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]]<br />[[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Dispatches]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit|Officer of the Legion of Merit]] (United States)<br/>[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (United States)
| rank = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|laterwork =
| servicenumber =
| unit =
| commands = [[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces|Land Forces]]<br/>[[International Security Assistance Force]]<br/>UK Contingent, [[Afghanistan]]<br/>[[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Regional Forces]]<br/>[[HQ Northern Ireland]]<br/>[[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]]<br/>[[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]]<br/>2nd Battalion [[Royal Green Jackets]]
| battles = [[Sierra Leone Civil War]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]<br/>[[Operation Banner]]<br/>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
| awards = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit|Officer of the Legion of Merit]] (United States)<br/>[[NATO Meritorious Service Medal]]
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
}}
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir Nicholas Ralph "Nick" Parker''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCB|CBE}} (born 1954) is a former [[British Army]] officer who served as [[Commander Land Forces]] (formerly [[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]]) until December 2012.
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir Nicholas Ralph Parker''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|KCB|CBE|DL}} (born 13 October 1954)<ref>{{cite news|editor-last=Witherow|editor-first=John |title=Birthdays today |work=The Times |issue=72665 |date=13 October 2018 |page=29|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> is a former [[British Army]] officer who served as [[Commander Land Forces]] (formerly [[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]]) until December 2012.


As a [[general officer]], Parker served in Northern Ireland as well as in [[Sierra Leone]], [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]] and in staff roles including governor of [[Edinburgh Castle]], commandant of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]] and [[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander of Regional Forces]], a role that also gave him the duties of inspector-general of the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]. Between 2005 and 2006, Parker served as deputy commanding general of [[Multi-National Force – Iraq]], before appointment to [[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland]], in which role he had the responsibility of overseeing the withdrawal of troops from the streets of Northern Ireland for the first time in over thirty years.
As a [[general officer]], Parker served in Northern Ireland as well as in [[Sierra Leone]], [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]] and in staff roles including governor of [[Edinburgh Castle]], commandant of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]] and [[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander of Regional Forces]], a role that also gave him the duties of inspector-general of the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]. Between 2005 and 2006, Parker served as deputy commanding general of [[Multi-National Force&nbsp;– Iraq]], before appointment to [[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland]], in which role he had the responsibility of overseeing the withdrawal of troops from the streets of Northern Ireland for the first time in over thirty years.


While on holiday in 2009, Parker and his wife received news that their son, Harry, a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] with [[The Rifles]], had been seriously wounded in [[Afghanistan]]. Harry eventually lost both legs as a result of a [[Improvised explosive device|roadside bomb]] attack while leading his patrol. Parker later gave interviews about the ordeal the family went through with Harry's injuries, calling the experience "foul". Later the same year, Parker himself deployed to Afghanistan on a twelve-month tour, becoming the commander of the British forces in the country and deputy commander of the [[International Security Assistance Force]], second in command to [[United States|American]] [[General (United States)|General]] [[Stanley A. McChrystal]]. In June 2010, McChrystal was relieved of his command of ISAF by [[POTUS|President]] [[Barack Obama]], leaving Parker as acting commander of ISAF for just over a week until General [[David Petraeus]] was confirmed as the new commander.
While on holiday in 2009, Parker and his wife received news that their son, Harry, a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] with [[The Rifles]], had been seriously wounded in Afghanistan. Harry lost both legs as a result of a [[Improvised explosive device|roadside bomb]] attack while leading his patrol. Parker later gave interviews about the ordeal the family went through with Harry's injuries, calling the experience "foul". Later the same year, Parker himself deployed to Afghanistan on a twelve-month tour, becoming the commander of the British forces in the country and deputy commander of the [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF), second in command to American General [[Stanley A. McChrystal]]. In June 2010, McChrystal was relieved of his command of ISAF by President [[Barack Obama]], leaving Parker as acting commander of ISAF for just over a week until General [[David Petraeus]] was confirmed as the new commander.


==Early and personal life==
==Early and personal life==
Born the son of Captain Herbert Blake Parker and Diana Katherine Barnwell, Parker was educated at attended the independent [[Sherborne School]] in north-west [[Dorset]] and the [[Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst]].<ref name=WW>''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]] 2010'', [[A & C Black]], 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8</ref> Parker has listed ''[[Coronation Street]]'' and fishing amongst his interests.<ref name="herald"/><ref name="ISAF"/>
Born the son of Captain Herbert Blake Parker and Diana Katherine Barnwell, Parker was educated at the independent [[Sherborne School]]<ref name=WW/> and the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]].<ref name=WW>''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]] 2010'', [[A & C Black]], 2010, {{ISBN|978-1-4081-1414-8}}</ref> Parker has listed ''[[Coronation Street]]'' and fishing among his interests.<ref name="herald"/><ref name="ISAF"/>


==Early career==
== Military career ==
===Early commands and promotions ===
Parker was commissioned into the [[Royal Green Jackets]] as a [[second lieutenant]] in January 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46174|supp=yes|startpage=275|date=8 January 1974|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="defac">[http://www.defac.ac.uk/colleges/jscsc/news-archive/2004/handover/ Defence Academy]</ref> He was promoted to full [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] in November 1975,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46734|supp=yes|startpage=14211|date=11 November 1975|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> was [[Mentioned in Despatches]] in January 1980 for service in Northern Ireland the previous year,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48061|supp=yes|startpage=312|date=8 January 1980|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> and promoted [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] in May 1980.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48194|supp=yes|startpage=7631|date=27 May 1980|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> He attended the Army Staff Course in 1986<ref name="ISAF"/> prior to promotion to [[major (United Kingdom)|major]] in October the same year.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=50677|supp=yes|startpage=12947|date=6 October 1986|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref>
Parker was commissioned into the [[Royal Green Jackets]] as a [[second lieutenant]] in January 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46174|supp=y|page=275|date=8 January 1974}}</ref><ref name="defac">[http://www.defac.ac.uk/colleges/jscsc/news-archive/2004/handover/ Defence Academy]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was promoted to full [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] in November 1975,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46734|supp=y|page=14211|date=11 November 1975}}</ref> was [[Mentioned in Despatches]] in January 1980 for service in Northern Ireland the previous year,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48061|supp=y|page=312|date=8 January 1980}}</ref> and promoted [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] in May 1980.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48194|supp=y|page=7631|date=27 May 1980}}</ref> He attended the Army Staff Course in 1986<ref name="ISAF"/> prior to promotion to [[major (United Kingdom)|major]] in October the same year.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=50677|supp=y|page=12947|date=6 October 1986}}</ref>


Promoted to [[Lieutenant Colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]] in 1991,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=52615|supp=yes|startpage=11597|date=29 July 1991|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> he was subsequently appointed [[commanding officer]] of the Second Battalion the Royal Green Jackets from 1994-'95<ref name="ISAF">{{cite web|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/about-isaf/leadership/lieutenant-general-sir-nick-parker.html|title=Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker|publisher=[[NATO]] [[International Security Assistance Force]]|accessdate=25 June 2010}}</ref> before promotion to [[colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] in 1996,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54453|supp=yes|startpage=8911|date=2 July 1996|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> having attended the Higher Command and Staff Course at the [[Staff College, Camberley]].<ref name="ISAF"/> Parker was promoted to [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadier]] in December 1997, with seniority from 30 June 1997<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=55292|supp=yes|startpage=11609|date=26 October 1998|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> and given command of [[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]],<ref name=WW/> which deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] in 1999.<ref>[http://www.army.mod.uk/20bde/bde_comd.htm 20th Armoured Brigade list of commanders]{{Dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=June 2010}}
Promoted to [[Lieutenant Colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]] in 1991,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=52615|supp=y|page=11597|date=29 July 1991}}</ref> he was subsequently appointed [[commanding officer]] of the Second Battalion the Royal Green Jackets from 1994 to 1995<ref name="ISAF">{{cite web|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/about-isaf/leadership/lieutenant-general-sir-nick-parker.html|title=Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker|publisher=[[NATO]] [[International Security Assistance Force]]|accessdate=25 June 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630220206/http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/about-isaf/leadership/lieutenant-general-sir-nick-parker.html|archivedate=30 June 2010}}</ref> before promotion to [[colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] in 1996,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54453|supp=y|page=8911|date=2 July 1996}}</ref> having attended the Higher Command and Staff Course at the [[Staff College, Camberley]].<ref name="ISAF"/> Parker was promoted to [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadier]] in December 1997, with seniority from 30 June 1997<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=55292|supp=y|page=11609|date=26 October 1998}}</ref> and given command of [[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]],<ref name=WW/> which deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] in 1999.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080911023433/http://www.army.mod.uk/20bde/bde_comd.htm 20th Armoured Brigade list of commanders]</ref>


==High command==
===High command===
Parker served as commander of the British task force in [[Sierra Leone]] and advisor to the country's [[President of Sierra Leone|president]] in 2001,<ref name="ISAF"/> and went on to become [[General Officer Commanding]], [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]] in November 2002,<ref name="defac"/> being promoted to [[Major-General (United Kingdom)|major-general]] on the same date.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56784|supp=yes|startpage=15275|date=17 December 2002|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> As General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, he was also [[Governor of Edinburgh Castle]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56828|supp=|startpage=927|date=24 January 2003|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref>
Parker served as commander of the British task force in [[Sierra Leone]] and advisor to the country's [[President of Sierra Leone|president]] in 2001,<ref name="ISAF"/> and went on to become [[General Officer Commanding]], [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]] in November 2002,<ref name="defac"/> being promoted to [[Major-General (United Kingdom)|major-general]] on the same date.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56784|supp=y|page=15275|date=17 December 2002}}</ref> As General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, he was also [[Governor of Edinburgh Castle]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56828|page=927|date=24 January 2003}}</ref>


In 2004 he served as [[Commandant]] of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57246|supp=yes|startpage=4059|date=29 March 2004|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> before taking over as Deputy Commanding General of the [[Multi-National Corps – Iraq|Multi-National Corps, Iraq]], holding the position from August 2005 to February 2006.<ref name="ISAF"/>
In 2004 he served as [[commandant]] of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57246|supp=y|page=4059|date=29 March 2004}}</ref> before taking over as deputy commanding general of the [[Multi-National Corps&nbsp;– Iraq]], holding the position from August 2005 to February 2006.<ref name="ISAF"/>


Parker was appointed [[General Officer Commanding]] [[Northern Ireland]] and promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant-General (United Kingdom)|lieutenant-general]] on 18 July 2006.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58046|supp=yes|startpage=9768|date=18 July 2006|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> In Northern Ireland he was responsible for reducing the [[UK]]'s troop commitment in the Province and is quoted as saying "that the military had made a significant contribution to security in Northern Ireland that has allowed other people to make the difference through politics, social programmes and economics".<ref name="beeb I">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6923342.stm|title=Army ending its operation in NI|date=31 July 2007|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> Parker oversaw the closure of the base at [[Bessbrook]], [[County Armagh]], which, he said, "signifies a time when the army stops being part of the security forces and moves into being part of the community."<ref name="Irish indy">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/going-home----last-british-troops-shut-up-shop-in-key-base-772991.html|title=Going home . . . last British troops shut up shop in key base|last=McHugh|first=Michael|date=26 June 2007|work=[[Irish Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News and Media]]|accessdate=27 June 2010}}</ref>
Parker was appointed [[General Officer Commanding]] [[Northern Ireland]] and promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant-General (United Kingdom)|lieutenant-general]] on 18 July 2006.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58046|supp=y|page=9768|date=18 July 2006}}</ref> In Northern Ireland he was responsible for reducing the [[UK]]'s troop commitment in the Province and is quoted as saying "that the military had made a significant contribution to security in Northern Ireland that has allowed other people to make the difference through politics, social programmes and economics".<ref name="beeb I">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6923342.stm|title=Army ending its operation in NI|date=31 July 2007|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> Parker oversaw the closure of the base at [[Bessbrook]], [[County Armagh]], which, he said, "signifies a time when the army stops being part of the security forces and moves into being part of the community."<ref name="Irish indy">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/going-home----last-british-troops-shut-up-shop-in-key-base-772991.html|title=Going home . . . last British troops shut up shop in key base|last=McHugh|first=Michael|date=26 June 2007|work=[[Irish Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News and Media]]|accessdate=27 June 2010}}</ref>


Parker was awarded the American [[Legion of Merit]] "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan" in 2007.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58396|supp=yes|startpage=10416|date=19 July 2007|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> In October 2007, he became [[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander of Regional Forces]] at [[Commander Land Forces|Land Command]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58444|supp=yes|startpage=13136|date=11 September 2007|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> a dual-hatted role as Inspector-General of the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] in which role he advocated for the TA and the regular Army to be regarded as a single organisation, pointing out that both face identical risks on deployment and saying "the TA soldier brings maturity and a wider understanding of the world - the end result, more so now than ever before, is the one Army and everyone should feel part of the same team".<ref name="tele II">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1583267/The-weekend-warriors-risking-their-lives.html|title=The 'weekend warriors' risking their lives|last=Rayment|first=Sean|date=30 March 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|accessdate=27 June 2010}}</ref> As Commander, Regional Forces, Parker was responsible for overseeing the £3&nbsp;billion overhaul of the Army's [[Royal Engineers]]' [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] in a public-private partnership in September 2008<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7592425.stm|title=Army school set for £3bn overhaul|date=1 September 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> as well as accepting the [[Freedom of the City]] of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] on behalf of [[the Rifles]] in October 2008,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7652349.stm|title=Rifles in freedom of Bath parade|date=4 October 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> and campaigning for the creation of an [[Armed Forces Day (United Kingdom)|Armed Forces Day]] for the UK, a proposal that was implemented in July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1581814/Widespread-support-for-an-Armed-Forces-Day.html|title=Widespread support for an Armed Forces Day|coauthors=Sean Rayment, Ben Leach and Jasper Copping|date=16 March 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>
Parker was awarded the American [[Legion of Merit]] "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan" in 2007.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58396|supp=y|page=10416|date=19 July 2007}}</ref> In October 2007, he became [[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander of Regional Forces]] at [[Commander Land Forces|Land Command]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58444|supp=y|page=13136|date=11 September 2007}}</ref> a dual-hatted role as Inspector-General of the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] in which role he advocated for the TA and the regular Army to be regarded as a single organisation, pointing out that both face identical risks on deployment and saying "the TA soldier brings maturity and a wider understanding of the world&nbsp;– the end result, more so now than ever before, is the one Army and everyone should feel part of the same team".<ref name="tele II">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1583267/The-weekend-warriors-risking-their-lives.html|title=The 'weekend warriors' risking their lives|last=Rayment|first=Sean|date=30 March 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=27 June 2010}}</ref> As Commander, Regional Forces, Parker was responsible for overseeing the £3&nbsp;billion overhaul of the Army's [[Royal Engineers]]' [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] in a public-private partnership in September 2008<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7592425.stm|title=Army school set for £3bn overhaul|date=1 September 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> as well as accepting the [[Freedom of the City]] of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] on behalf of [[the Rifles]] in October 2008,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7652349.stm|title=Rifles in freedom of Bath parade|date=4 October 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> and campaigning for the creation of an [[Armed Forces Day (United Kingdom)|Armed Forces Day]] for the UK, a proposal that was implemented in July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1581814/Widespread-support-for-an-Armed-Forces-Day.html|title=Widespread support for an Armed Forces Day|author=Sean Rayment, Ben Leach and Jasper Copping|date=16 March 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>


===ISAF===
===ISAF===
[[File:Nick Parker shura.jpg|thumb|right|Parker attending a [[shura]] in April 2010 with [[Afghan National Army]] [[Brigadier General]] Akram Sameh]]
[[File:Nick Parker shura.jpg|thumb|right|Parker attending a [[shura]] in April 2010 with [[Afghan National Army]] [[Brigadier General]] Akram Sameh]]
[[File:Nick Parker David Petaeus.jpg|thumb|General [[David Petraeus]] presents Parker with the [[NATO Medal]]]]
[[File:Nick Parker David Petaeus.jpg|thumb|General [[David Petraeus]] presents Parker with the [[NATO Meritorious Service Medal]].]]
In September 2009, it was announced that Parker would succeed [[Royal Marine]] Lieutenant General [[Sir Jim Dutton]] as Deputy Commander of [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8638149|title=Amputations for over 50 soldiers|date=2 August 2009|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> During his tenure as deputy commander, Parker denied claims that British personnel in Afghanistan were suffering from a lack of equipment and helicopters, saying in an interview "rather than asking for more helicopters - which may be a requirement – we've got to develop tactics that get you out and amongst the people and re-establish ourselves as a force for good in the community" and that he was "absolutely convinced that what Harry [Parker's son] was given was right for what he was doing. However, nothing was ever going to stop his leg getting blown off".<ref name="mail int">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1228060/Top-army-chief-speaks-agony-son-blasted-Taliban-booby-trap.html|title=Top army chief speaks of agony after his son blasted in Taliban booby-trap|last=Drury|first=Ian|date=16 November 2009|work=[[Daily Mail]]|publisher=[[Associated Newspapers Ltd]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> Parker was serving in Afghanistan on Christmas Day 2009 and undertook a tour of British bases in the area to visit troops.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6711143/British-forces-bringing-back-childrens-laughter-at-Christmas.html|title=British forces bringing back children's laughter at Christmas - Telegraph|last=Gardham|first=Duncan|date=25 December 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>
In September 2009, it was announced that Parker would succeed [[Royal Marine]] Lieutenant General [[Sir Jim Dutton]] as deputy commander of [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/feedarticle/8638149|title=Amputations for over 50 soldiers|date=2 August 2009|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> Parker was serving in Afghanistan on Christmas Day 2009 and undertook a tour of British bases in the area to visit troops.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6711143/British-forces-bringing-back-childrens-laughter-at-Christmas.html|title=British forces bringing back children's laughter at Christmas&nbsp;— Telegraph|last=Gardham|first=Duncan|date=25 December 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>


On 23 June 2010, Parker assumed temporary command of all 140,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, following the departure of American General [[Stanley A. McChrystal|Stanley McChrystal]].<ref name="herald"/><ref name="Beeb II">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8756334.stm|title=As it happened: Gen McChrystal controversy|date=23 June 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] told [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]] that Parker had assured him that the operation would "not miss a beat" during the transition period.<ref name="Beeb III">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10397280.stm|title=UK 'committed' to Afghan role despite McChrystal exit|date=23 June 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> He held the role until 3 July, General [[David Petraeus]] was confirmed as McChrystal's replacement.<ref name="Petraeus">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/10497749.stm|title=US Gen Petraeus urges unity to tackle Afghanistan war|date=3 July 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>
On 23 June 2010, Parker assumed temporary command of all 140,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, following the departure of American General [[Stanley A. McChrystal|Stanley McChrystal]].<ref name="herald"/><ref name="Beeb II">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8756334.stm|title=As it happened: Gen McChrystal controversy|date=23 June 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] told [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]] that Parker had assured him that the operation would "not miss a beat" during the transition period.<ref name="Beeb III">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10397280.stm|title=UK 'committed' to Afghan role despite McChrystal exit|date=23 June 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> He held the role until 3 July, when General [[David Petraeus]] was confirmed as McChrystal's replacement.<ref name="Petraeus">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/10497749.stm|title=US Gen Petraeus urges unity to tackle Afghanistan war|date=3 July 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=3 July 2010}}</ref>

As of 2010, Parker was [[Honorary Colonel]] of the Manchester and Salford Universities [[Officers' Training Corps]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58081|supp=yes|startpage=11755|date=29 August 2006|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> and served as [[Colonel Commandant]] of 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57775|supp=yes|startpage=12769|date=4 October 2005|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> When the Royal Green Jackets were merged with others to form [[The Rifles]], he became Colonel Commandant of the new regiment.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58238|supp=yes|startpage=1640|date=1 February 2007|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref>


===General===
===General===
On 29 July 2010 Parker was named as the next [[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]] in succession to [[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|General Sir Peter Wall]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/29/general-sir-peter-wal-head-british-army General Sir Peter Wall named British army's new head]</ref>
On 29 July 2010 Parker was named as the next [[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]] in succession to [[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|General Sir Peter Wall]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jul/29/general-sir-peter-wal-head-british-army General Sir Peter Wall named British army's new head]</ref>


Parker took over as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces on 1 October 2010 and was granted the substantive rank of [[General (United Kingdom)|general]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59565|supp=yes|startpage=19215|date=4 October 2010|accessdate=31 October 2010}}</ref> For his service in Afghanistan, General Parker was presented with his [[NATO Medal|NATO ribbon]] by the overall allied commander in Afghanistan, US [[David Petraeus|General David Petraeus]], in addition to this Petraeus also presented General Parker with a [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|US Meritorious Service Medal]]; furthermore Parker also received the Afghan President's Award from its Minister of Defence.<ref name="army.mod.uk">[http://www.army.mod.uk/news/21820.aspx Lt Gen Sir Nick Parker ends his year as ISAF deputy, MoD News, September 2010]</ref>
Parker took over as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces on 1 October 2010 and was granted the substantive rank of [[General (United Kingdom)|general]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59565|supp=y|page=19215|date=4 October 2010}}</ref> For his service in Afghanistan, Parker was presented with the [[NATO Meritorious Service Medal]] by the overall allied commander in Afghanistan, US General [[David Petraeus]]. Parker also received the Afghan President's Award from its Minister of Defence.<ref name="army.mod.uk">[http://www.army.mod.uk/news/21820.aspx Lt Gen Sir Nick Parker ends his year as ISAF deputy, MoD News, September 2010]</ref>


Under a major army command reorganisation effective 1 November 2011 Parker's role was re-designated ''Commander Land Forces''.<ref name=intel>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2506:uk-army-command-reorganization&catid=1:europe&Itemid=57 |title=Army Command reorganization|publisher= Defence Marketing Intelligence|date= 10 November 2011|accessdate=23 January 2012}}</ref>
Under a major army command reorganisation effective 1 November 2011 Parker's role was re-designated ''Commander Land Forces''.<ref name=intel>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2506:uk-army-command-reorganization&catid=1:europe&Itemid=57|title=Army Command reorganization|publisher=Defence Marketing Intelligence|date=10 November 2011|accessdate=23 January 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112055548/http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2506%3Auk-army-command-reorganization&catid=1%3Aeurope&Itemid=57|archivedate=12 November 2011}}</ref>


Parker's post as Commander Land Forces was assumed by Lieutenant General [[Adrian Bradshaw]] in January 2013.<ref>[http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/up-and-out-promotions-leavers-new-jobs-may-2012 Defence Viewpoints; Up and Out: Promotions, leavers, new jobs; May 2012]</ref>
Parker's post as Commander Land Forces was assumed by Lieutenant General [[Adrian Bradshaw (British Army officer)|Adrian Bradshaw]] in January 2013.<ref>[http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/up-and-out-promotions-leavers-new-jobs-may-2012 Defence Viewpoints; Up and Out: Promotions, leavers, new jobs; May 2012]</ref>


As of 2010, Parker was [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|Honorary Colonel]] of the Manchester and Salford Universities [[Officers' Training Corps]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58081|supp=y|page=11755|date=29 August 2006}}</ref> and served as [[Colonel Commandant]] of 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57775|supp=y|page=12769|date=4 October 2005}}</ref> When the Royal Green Jackets were merged with others in 2007 to form [[The Rifles]], he became Colonel Commandant of the new regiment until replaced in 2013 by Lt-General [[Nick Carter (British Army officer)|Nick Carter]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58238|supp=y|page=1640|date=1 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devondorsetregiment.co.uk/news/1057/NEW+COLONEL+COMMANDANT+FOR+THE+RIFLES|title=NEW COLONEL COMMANDANT FOR THE RIFLES|publisher=The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|accessdate= 9 March 2017}}</ref>
==Family==
In 1979 he married Rebecca Clare Wellings:<ref name=WW/> they have two sons, one of whom, Harry, was seriously injured in July 2009 while serving as a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] with [[The Rifles|4 Rifles]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="tele I">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/5876731/Generals-son-lost-leg-in-Afghanistan-explosion.html|title=General's son lost leg in Afghanistan explosion|date=21 July 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> Harry lost both legs after the patrol he was commanding ran over a [[Improvised explosive device|roadside bomb]].<ref name="herald">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/british-general-takes-charge-in-afghanistan-1.1036857|title=British general takes charge in Afghanistan|last=Watt|first=Chris|date=24 June 2010|work=[[Herald Scotland]]|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|accessdate=25 June 2010}}</ref> Parker later spoke about the aftermath of the incident, saying "it was pretty bad at that stage: they didn't know if Harry would survive or not. It helped being a soldier because all your training is about remaining as calm and calculating as you can in very difficult circumstances. But it was foul."<ref name="herald"/> Harry was injured shortly before Parker was due to take up the position of deputy commander of the [[International Security Assistance Force]], but Parker took up the post on schedule, later saying in an interview "Harry would be horrified if I didn't go. He'd think I was a wimp".<ref name="mail int"/><ref name="notw">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/598359/Lieutenant-General-Sir-Nick-Parker.html|title="Helicopters and extra kit will not win this war" says Army chief Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker|last=McNamara|first=Paul|date=15 November 2009|work=[[News of the World]]|publisher=[[News Group Newspapers]]|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>


From 2008 Parker was the President of the ''Peninsular War 200'', the official UK organisation for the commemoration of the [[Peninsular War]] (1808–1814).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://peninsularwar200.org/|title=Peninsular War 200|accessdate=29 October 2015}}</ref>
==Awards and appointments==
Parker was appointed [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in 2001 in the rank of brigadier<ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=56541|supp=yes|startpage=4812|date=19 April 2002|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> and appointed [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] (KCB) in the 2009 Birthday Honours in the rank of lieutenant general.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{London Gazette|issue=59090 |date=13 June 2009 |startpage=2 |supp=yes |accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>


Parker was appointed [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 2001<ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=56541|supp=y|page=4812|date=19 April 2002}}</ref> and appointed [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[2009 Birthday Honours]].<ref name="ReferenceB">{{London Gazette|issue=59090 |date=13 June 2009 |page=2 |supp=y }}</ref>
<center>
[[File:Order of the Bath UK ribbon.png|100px]]


In 2024, Parker was appointed [[Deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire|Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4531356|title=Deputy Lieutenant Commissions|publisher=London Gazette|date=15 January 2024|access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:General Service Medal 1962 BAR MID.png|100px]]
[[File:UNFICYP.gif|100px]]
[[File:NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|100px]]


==Family==
[[File:OSM for Sierra Leone BAR.svg|100px]]
In 1979 he married Rebecca Clare Wellings:<ref name=WW/> they have two sons, one of whom, Harry, was seriously injured in July 2009 while serving as a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] with 4th Battalion [[The Rifles]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="tele I">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/5876731/Generals-son-lost-leg-in-Afghanistan-explosion.html|title=General's son lost leg in Afghanistan explosion|date=21 July 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=24 June 2010}}</ref> Harry lost both legs after the patrol he was commanding ran over a [[Improvised explosive device|roadside bomb]].<ref name="herald">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/british-general-takes-charge-in-afghanistan-1.1036857|title=British general takes charge in Afghanistan|last=Watt|first=Chris|date=24 June 2010|work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|location=Glasgow|accessdate=25 June 2010}}</ref> Parker later spoke about the aftermath of the incident, saying "it was pretty bad at that stage, they didn't know if Harry would survive or not. It helped being a soldier because all your training is about remaining as calm and calculating as you can in very difficult circumstances. But it was foul."<ref name="herald"/>
[[File:Iraq Medal BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|100px]]

[[File:Accumulated Campaign Service Medal BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:Us legion of merit officer rib.png|100px]]
[[File:Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|100px]]
[[Image:Noribbon.svg|100px]]
</center>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:Order of the Bath UK ribbon.png|60px]] || [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] (KCB) || 2009<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
|[[File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.png|60px]] || [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) || 2001<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
|[[File:General Service Medal 1962 BAR MID.png|60px]] || [[General Service Medal (1962)|General Service Medal]] || With one clasp and palm for [[Mentioned in Dispatches]]
|-
|[[File:UNFICYP.gif|60px]] || [[United Nations Medal]] with UNFICYP ribbon || For [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]]
|-
|[[File:NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|60px]] || [[NATO Medal]] with ISAF ribbon || 1 October 2010<ref name="army.mod.uk"/>
|-
|[[File:OSM for Sierra Leone BAR.svg|60px]] || [[Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone]] ||
|-
|[[File:Iraq Medal BAR.svg|60px]] || [[Iraq Medal (United Kingdom)|Iraq Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|60px]] || [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]] || 2002
|-
|[[File:QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|60px]] || [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]] || 2012
|-
|[[File:Accumulated Campaign Service Medal BAR.svg|60px]] || [[Accumulated Campaign Service Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:Us legion of merit officer rib.png|60px]] || [[Legion of Merit|Officer of the Legion of Merit]] || (United States)
|-
|[[File:Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|60px]] || [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] || (United States) 1 October 2010 <ref name="army.mod.uk"/>
|-
|[[Image:Noribbon.svg|60px]] || President's Award || (Afghanistan) 1 October 2010<ref name="army.mod.uk"/>{{dead link|date=July 2013}}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Portal|British Army}}
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
{{reflist|2}}


{{S-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Gordon (British Army officer)|Robert Gordon]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Gordon (British Army officer)|Robert Gordon]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[General Officer Commanding]] the [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]]|years=2002&ndash;2004}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[General Officer Commanding]] the [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]]|years=2002–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Euan Loudon]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Euan Loudon]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[John McColl]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John McColl (British Army officer)|John McColl]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]]|years=2004&ndash;2005}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the [[Joint Services Command and Staff College]]|years=2004–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nigel Maddox]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nigel Maddox]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Mark Mans]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mark Mans]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commanding General [[Multi-National Corps – Iraq]]|years=2005&ndash;2006}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commanding General [[Multi-National Corps&nbsp;– Iraq]]|years=2005–2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Peter Everson]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Peter Everson]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Redmond Watt|Sir Redmond Watt]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Redmond Watt|Sir Redmond Watt]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland]]|years=2006&ndash;2007}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[HQ Northern Ireland|General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland]]|years=2006–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Chris Brown (British Army officer)|Chris Brown]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Chris Brown (British Army officer)|Chris Brown]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[John McColl|Sir John McColl]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John McColl (British Army officer)|Sir John McColl]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander Regional Forces]]|years=2007&ndash;2009}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander Regional Forces (United Kingdom)|Commander Regional Forces]]|years=2007–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mark Mans]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mark Mans]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[James Dutton (Royal Marines officer)|Sir James Dutton]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[James Dutton (Royal Marines officer)|Sir James Dutton]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander, [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]|years=2009&ndash;2010}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander, [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]|years=2009–2010}}
{{s-aft|after=[[James Bucknall]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[James Bucknall]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Wall]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Wall]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]]|years=2010&ndash;2011}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces]]|years=2010–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=Post restructured}}
{{s-non|reason=Post restructured}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=Post created}}
{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander Land Forces]]|years=2011&ndash;2012}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander Land Forces]]|years=2011–2012}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Adrian Bradshaw]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Adrian Bradshaw (British Army officer)|Adrian Bradshaw]]}}
{{end}}
{{end}}


<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME= Parker, Sir Nicholas Ralph
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Nick Parker
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Army officer
|DATE OF BIRTH=1954
|PLACE OF BIRTH=
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Nicholas}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Nicholas}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Royal Green Jackets officers]]
[[Category:Royal Green Jackets officers]]
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the Sierra Leone Civil War]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the Sierra Leone Civil War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:People educated at Sherborne School]]
[[Category:People educated at Sherborne School]]
[[Category:People of The Troubles (Northern Ireland)]]
[[Category:British military personnel of The Troubles (Northern Ireland)]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:20th-century British Army personnel]]

Latest revision as of 01:43, 20 December 2024

For other people named Nicholas Parker, see Nicholas Parker (disambiguation).

General

Sir Nick Parker

KCB CBE DL
The head and shoulders of a dark-haired man in green jumper
General Sir Nick Parker in 2013
Born (1954-10-13) 13 October 1954 (age 70)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1973–2013
RankGeneral
CommandsLand Forces
International Security Assistance Force
UK Contingent, Afghanistan
Regional Forces
HQ Northern Ireland
2nd Division
20th Armoured Brigade
2nd Battalion Royal Green Jackets
Battles / warsSierra Leone Civil War
Iraq War
Operation Banner
War in Afghanistan
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Mentioned in Despatches
Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)
NATO Meritorious Service Medal

General Sir Nicholas Ralph Parker, KCB, CBE, DL (born 13 October 1954)[1] is a former British Army officer who served as Commander Land Forces (formerly Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces) until December 2012.

As a general officer, Parker served in Northern Ireland as well as in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan and in staff roles including governor of Edinburgh Castle, commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College and Commander of Regional Forces, a role that also gave him the duties of inspector-general of the Territorial Army. Between 2005 and 2006, Parker served as deputy commanding general of Multi-National Force – Iraq, before appointment to General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, in which role he had the responsibility of overseeing the withdrawal of troops from the streets of Northern Ireland for the first time in over thirty years.

While on holiday in 2009, Parker and his wife received news that their son, Harry, a captain with The Rifles, had been seriously wounded in Afghanistan. Harry lost both legs as a result of a roadside bomb attack while leading his patrol. Parker later gave interviews about the ordeal the family went through with Harry's injuries, calling the experience "foul". Later the same year, Parker himself deployed to Afghanistan on a twelve-month tour, becoming the commander of the British forces in the country and deputy commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), second in command to American General Stanley A. McChrystal. In June 2010, McChrystal was relieved of his command of ISAF by President Barack Obama, leaving Parker as acting commander of ISAF for just over a week until General David Petraeus was confirmed as the new commander.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Born the son of Captain Herbert Blake Parker and Diana Katherine Barnwell, Parker was educated at the independent Sherborne School[2] and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[2] Parker has listed Coronation Street and fishing among his interests.[3][4]

Military career

[edit]

Early commands and promotions

[edit]

Parker was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets as a second lieutenant in January 1974.[5][6] He was promoted to full lieutenant in November 1975,[7] was Mentioned in Despatches in January 1980 for service in Northern Ireland the previous year,[8] and promoted captain in May 1980.[9] He attended the Army Staff Course in 1986[4] prior to promotion to major in October the same year.[10]

Promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1991,[11] he was subsequently appointed commanding officer of the Second Battalion the Royal Green Jackets from 1994 to 1995[4] before promotion to colonel in 1996,[12] having attended the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Staff College, Camberley.[4] Parker was promoted to brigadier in December 1997, with seniority from 30 June 1997[13] and given command of 20th Armoured Brigade,[2] which deployed to Bosnia in 1999.[14]

High command

[edit]

Parker served as commander of the British task force in Sierra Leone and advisor to the country's president in 2001,[4] and went on to become General Officer Commanding, 2nd Division in November 2002,[6] being promoted to major-general on the same date.[15] As General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, he was also Governor of Edinburgh Castle.[16]

In 2004 he served as commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College,[17] before taking over as deputy commanding general of the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, holding the position from August 2005 to February 2006.[4]

Parker was appointed General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland and promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on 18 July 2006.[18] In Northern Ireland he was responsible for reducing the UK's troop commitment in the Province and is quoted as saying "that the military had made a significant contribution to security in Northern Ireland that has allowed other people to make the difference through politics, social programmes and economics".[19] Parker oversaw the closure of the base at Bessbrook, County Armagh, which, he said, "signifies a time when the army stops being part of the security forces and moves into being part of the community."[20]

Parker was awarded the American Legion of Merit "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan" in 2007.[21] In October 2007, he became Commander of Regional Forces at Land Command,[22] a dual-hatted role as Inspector-General of the Territorial Army in which role he advocated for the TA and the regular Army to be regarded as a single organisation, pointing out that both face identical risks on deployment and saying "the TA soldier brings maturity and a wider understanding of the world – the end result, more so now than ever before, is the one Army and everyone should feel part of the same team".[23] As Commander, Regional Forces, Parker was responsible for overseeing the £3 billion overhaul of the Army's Royal Engineers' Royal School of Military Engineering in a public-private partnership in September 2008[24] as well as accepting the Freedom of the City of Bath on behalf of the Rifles in October 2008,[25] and campaigning for the creation of an Armed Forces Day for the UK, a proposal that was implemented in July 2009.[26]

ISAF

[edit]
Parker attending a shura in April 2010 with Afghan National Army Brigadier General Akram Sameh
General David Petraeus presents Parker with the NATO Meritorious Service Medal.

In September 2009, it was announced that Parker would succeed Royal Marine Lieutenant General Sir Jim Dutton as deputy commander of ISAF in Afghanistan.[27] Parker was serving in Afghanistan on Christmas Day 2009 and undertook a tour of British bases in the area to visit troops.[28]

On 23 June 2010, Parker assumed temporary command of all 140,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, following the departure of American General Stanley McChrystal.[3][29] British Prime Minister David Cameron told U.S. President Barack Obama that Parker had assured him that the operation would "not miss a beat" during the transition period.[30] He held the role until 3 July, when General David Petraeus was confirmed as McChrystal's replacement.[31]

General

[edit]

On 29 July 2010 Parker was named as the next Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces in succession to General Sir Peter Wall.[32]

Parker took over as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces on 1 October 2010 and was granted the substantive rank of general.[33] For his service in Afghanistan, Parker was presented with the NATO Meritorious Service Medal by the overall allied commander in Afghanistan, US General David Petraeus. Parker also received the Afghan President's Award from its Minister of Defence.[34]

Under a major army command reorganisation effective 1 November 2011 Parker's role was re-designated Commander Land Forces.[35]

Parker's post as Commander Land Forces was assumed by Lieutenant General Adrian Bradshaw in January 2013.[36]

As of 2010, Parker was Honorary Colonel of the Manchester and Salford Universities Officers' Training Corps[37] and served as Colonel Commandant of 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets.[38] When the Royal Green Jackets were merged with others in 2007 to form The Rifles, he became Colonel Commandant of the new regiment until replaced in 2013 by Lt-General Nick Carter.[39][40]

From 2008 Parker was the President of the Peninsular War 200, the official UK organisation for the commemoration of the Peninsular War (1808–1814).[41]

Parker was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001[42] and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2009 Birthday Honours.[43]

In 2024, Parker was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.[44]

Family

[edit]

In 1979 he married Rebecca Clare Wellings:[2] they have two sons, one of whom, Harry, was seriously injured in July 2009 while serving as a captain with 4th Battalion The Rifles in Afghanistan.[45] Harry lost both legs after the patrol he was commanding ran over a roadside bomb.[3] Parker later spoke about the aftermath of the incident, saying "it was pretty bad at that stage, they didn't know if Harry would survive or not. It helped being a soldier because all your training is about remaining as calm and calculating as you can in very difficult circumstances. But it was foul."[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Witherow, John, ed. (13 October 2018). "Birthdays today". The Times. No. 72665. p. 29. ISSN 0140-0460.
  2. ^ a b c d Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8
  3. ^ a b c d Watt, Chris (24 June 2010). "British general takes charge in Afghanistan". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker". NATO International Security Assistance Force. Archived from the original on 30 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  5. ^ "No. 46174". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1974. p. 275.
  6. ^ a b Defence Academy[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "No. 46734". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 November 1975. p. 14211.
  8. ^ "No. 48061". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1980. p. 312.
  9. ^ "No. 48194". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 May 1980. p. 7631.
  10. ^ "No. 50677". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 October 1986. p. 12947.
  11. ^ "No. 52615". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 July 1991. p. 11597.
  12. ^ "No. 54453". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 July 1996. p. 8911.
  13. ^ "No. 55292". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 1998. p. 11609.
  14. ^ 20th Armoured Brigade list of commanders
  15. ^ "No. 56784". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 December 2002. p. 15275.
  16. ^ "No. 56828". The London Gazette. 24 January 2003. p. 927.
  17. ^ "No. 57246". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 March 2004. p. 4059.
  18. ^ "No. 58046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 July 2006. p. 9768.
  19. ^ "Army ending its operation in NI". BBC News. BBC. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  20. ^ McHugh, Michael (26 June 2007). "Going home . . . last British troops shut up shop in key base". Irish Independent. Independent News and Media. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  21. ^ "No. 58396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2007. p. 10416.
  22. ^ "No. 58444". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 2007. p. 13136.
  23. ^ Rayment, Sean (30 March 2008). "The 'weekend warriors' risking their lives". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  24. ^ "Army school set for £3bn overhaul". BBC News. BBC. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  25. ^ "Rifles in freedom of Bath parade". BBC News. BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  26. ^ Sean Rayment, Ben Leach and Jasper Copping (16 March 2008). "Widespread support for an Armed Forces Day". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  27. ^ "Amputations for over 50 soldiers". The Guardian. 2 August 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  28. ^ Gardham, Duncan (25 December 2009). "British forces bringing back children's laughter at Christmas — Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  29. ^ "As it happened: Gen McChrystal controversy". BBC News. BBC. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  30. ^ "UK 'committed' to Afghan role despite McChrystal exit". BBC News. BBC. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  31. ^ "US Gen Petraeus urges unity to tackle Afghanistan war". BBC News. BBC. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  32. ^ General Sir Peter Wall named British army's new head
  33. ^ "No. 59565". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 October 2010. p. 19215.
  34. ^ Lt Gen Sir Nick Parker ends his year as ISAF deputy, MoD News, September 2010
  35. ^ "Army Command reorganization". Defence Marketing Intelligence. 10 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  36. ^ Defence Viewpoints; Up and Out: Promotions, leavers, new jobs; May 2012
  37. ^ "No. 58081". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 August 2006. p. 11755.
  38. ^ "No. 57775". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 October 2005. p. 12769.
  39. ^ "No. 58238". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 February 2007. p. 1640.
  40. ^ "NEW COLONEL COMMANDANT FOR THE RIFLES". The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  41. ^ "Peninsular War 200". Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  42. ^ "No. 56541". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 April 2002. p. 4812.
  43. ^ "No. 59090". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 2009. p. 2.
  44. ^ "Deputy Lieutenant Commissions". London Gazette. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  45. ^ "General's son lost leg in Afghanistan explosion". The Daily Telegraph. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
Military offices
Preceded by General Officer Commanding the 2nd Division
2002–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College
2004–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commanding General Multi-National Corps – Iraq
2005–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by General Officer Commanding the British Army in Northern Ireland
2006–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander Regional Forces
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander, ISAF
2009–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces
2010–2011 		Post restructured
New office Commander Land Forces
2011–2012 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Nick_Parker&oldid=1264032842"