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Rich Cantrill

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Major-General
Rich Cantrill
OBE MC
Military career
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch
Royal Marines
Service years
1996–present
Rank
Major-General
Commands3 Commando Brigade (2020–2022)
42 Commando (2014–2016)
Conflicts
Sierra Leone Civil War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsOfficer of the Order of the British Empire
Military Cross

Major-General Richard John Cantrill, OBE, MC (born 26 March 1974) is a senior Royal Marines officer. In 2024 he became Commander Operations, the first Royal Marine to hold the post.

Early life and education

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Cantrill was born on 26 March 1974 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England.[1] He was educated at Reigate Grammar School, an independent school in Reigate, Surrey.[1] He studied geography at Durham University, where he was a member of the College of St Hild and St Bede, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1995.[1][2] He later undertook postgraduate study at King's College London, completing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in defence studies in 2011.[3]

Military career

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Cantrill joined the Royal Marines in 1996.[1] His career as a junior officer was as a mountain and cold weather warfare specialist with 3 Commando Brigade.[4] He deployed to Sierra Leone in 2000 as part of Operation Palliser; he commanded 42 Commando's forward recce screen deep in the jungle.[5] He was promoted to major in 2004 and, in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan as officer commanding L Company, 42 Commando. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) "for gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2008 to 31st March 2009":[6] he successfully led the company during a three-day assault on Kasnishin, a Taliban stronghold, during the deployment.[7]

In 2010, he became military assistant to the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations).[8] He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 2011, having held the rank in an acting capacity.[9] In the 2014 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[10] Also in 2014, he was made commanding officer of 42 Commando.[8] In 2016, he was promoted to colonel and served as commanding officer commando training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, before being made the chief of staff for the Commander UK Amphibious Forces.[1][11]

Cantrill joined the Ministry of Defence as the assistant head for counter-terrorism and UK Operations in 2018. He was appointed to command 3 Commando Brigade on 2 September 2020.[11] He returned to a staff post in 2022 as assistant chief of staff operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters.[1][8] In January 2024, it was announced that he would be the next Commander Operations, the first Royal Marine to hold the post,[12] with the promotion to major general on 6 May 2024.[13]

Ribbon bar

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Article Cantrill, Maj. Gen. Richard John, (born 26 March 1974), Commander Operations, Royal Navy, since 2024". Who's Who 2026. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  2. ↑ "Class Notes". Durham University. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Cantrill, Maj. Gen. Richard John, (born 26 March 1974), Commander Operations, Royal Navy, since 2024." WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO
  4. ↑ "SEA POWER CONFERENCE 2021 27-28 September, 2021" (PDF). ALLIED MARITIME COMMAND AND THE CENTRE FOR SEAPOWER AND STRATEGY. 2021. p. 17. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  5. ↑ Raisbeck, Adrian (11 December 2017). "RMA0062 - Evidence on Sunset for the Royal Marines? The Royal Marines and UK amphibious capability". committees.parliament.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "No. 59182". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 2009. p. 15640.
  7. ↑ "Rugby tackle...pistol charge...what it takes to win the Military Cross". www.standard.co.uk. 12 April 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 "Panel 3: Maritime operations by the 2040s: Shape, deter, defend". First Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference 2024 (PDF). Council on Geostrategy. 2024. pp. 23–24. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "No. 59860". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 July 2011. p. 14180.
  10. ↑ "CANTRILL, Richard John | ͏". www.commandoveterans.org.
  11. 1 2 "Future Amphibious Forces Online". Future Amphibious Forces Online.
  12. ↑ "'Pinnacle' career move as Royal Marine takes charge of Royal Navy operations for the first time". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "No. 64441". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 June 2024. p. 12238.
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