Freddie Viggers
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Richard "Freddie" Viggers, KCB, CMG, MBE, DL
is a former senior British Army
officer, who served as Adjutant-General to the Forces
immediately prior to his retirement 2008. He served as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod from 30 April 2009 to 28 October 2010. He also served in Bosnia in the aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia, and in the Iraq War.
and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
. He was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a second lieutenant
on 14 April 1972. He was promoted lieutenant
on 14 October 1973, and captain
on 14 April 1978, In 1983 he attended Staff College, Camberley
and was promoted major on 30 September 1983, and assumed command of a battery
of 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
(3RHA). In December 1985 he was appointed Chief of Staff
to 1st Infantry Brigade, the brigade's main task was as NATO's "UK Mobile Force", which would have seen it reinforcing Denmark
, or the Schleswig-Holstein
area of Germany. As a result of his performance in this post, especially for his organisation of British participation in the NATO multi-national Operation Bold Guard, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours
. The citation for this honour remarked: "1st Infantry Brigade is closer in size to a normal division[, its] strength rising to over 15,000 when formed into the United Kingdom Mobile Force (UKMF).[...]Viggers enjoys a responsibility and workload far greater than that normally given to a Grade 2 officer. [... His contribution] has been quite outstanding, and far beyond the call of duty expected of an officer of his age and service." He was promoted lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1988, and was initially posted to the directing staff at Camberley before taking command of 3RHA in 1989. The regiment transferred from Germany to Colchester Garrison
in early 1990, joining 19th Infantry Brigade.
in the Central Staff Directorate of Defence Policy, transferring to the Defence Costs Study Secretariat in 1993. Promoted brigadier
on 30 December 1994 (with seniority from 30 June 1994), he became Commander, Royal Artillery
in HQ 3 (UK) Division in 1994 and attended the Higher Command and Staff Course
before deploying to Bosnia with the division as part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR)
. He was then posted as Director of Manning (Army) in 1997, and was appointed Honorary Colonel of 100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
(Volunteers) on 31 December 1997, holding that appointment until 17 February 2001.
On 24 March 1999 Viggers returned to Bosnia as Commander Multinational Division (South West) in SFOR
and was granted acting promotion to major general)
, substantive promotion followed on 1 September 1999 (with seniority from the date of his acting rank). For his service there, he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service on 3 November 2000. On 9 February 2000 he became Chief of Staff at Land Command and remained there until May 2003. He received a further honorary appointment on 11 May 2000 when he became Deputy Colonel Commandant
of the Adjutant General's Corps
. In May 2003 he was appointed Senior British Military Representative - Iraq, based in Baghdad following its occupation by US and British forces; for his service there he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) on 23 April 2004. His next post was as Military Secretary and Chief Executive Army Personnel Centre which he took up on 20 October 2003.
. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
of Hampshire in June 2008.
Viggers's period as Adjutant General coincided with heavy commitments for the British Army, which led to increased media discussion of the pay and conditions in the British Armed forces. He spoke out against the conditions in some barracks, and of the need for improved funding to bring accommodation stock up-to-date. On 7 May 2007 The Mail on Sunday
published an article claiming that his house had been renovated at the taxpayers' expense, and he was also named in a 26 May article on the amount spent on accommodation and servants for high-ranking army officers. However Viggers complained to the Press Complaints Commission
and The Mail on Sunday subsequently printed an apology, accepting that the accommodation renovated was in fact an MOD property, and he had not been to blame for the state of military housing. He also issued an apology and authorised the payment of £3 million in compensation to the families of Baha Mousa
and nine other Iraqis tortured by British troops.
. He replaced Sir Michael Willcocks
on 30 April 2009 when Willcocks retired. On 18 May 2010, he was due to take part in the ceremonial opening of Parliament following the 2010 general election, but he suffered a multiple stroke and was unable to attend. His place was taken by his deputy, the Yeoman Usher, Ted Lloyd-Jukes. He resigned as Black Rod because of ill health on 28 October 2010.
Viggers is married with two children, and has a keen interest in sport. He is a trustee of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust which assists British Army regimental and corps museums; he is also an Honorary Fellow, and member of the advisory group, of the Institute of Continuing Professional Development; and has assisted in running events for the Army Benevolent Fund
. On 9 December 2009, Viggers gave evidence to The Iraq Inquiry in which he was highly critical of the administration of post-war Iraq.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
is a former senior British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
officer, who served as Adjutant-General to the Forces
Adjutant-General to the Forces
The Adjutant-General to the Forces, commonly just referred to as the Adjutant-General , is one of the most senior officers in the British Army. He is in charge of administration, personnel and organisational matters. The Adjutant-General usually holds the rank of General or Lieutenant-General...
immediately prior to his retirement 2008. He served as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod from 30 April 2009 to 28 October 2010. He also served in Bosnia in the aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia, and in the Iraq War.
Early career
Viggers was educated at Wellington School, SomersetWellington School, Somerset
Wellington School is a British co-educational independent school in Wellington, Somerset, England catering for both day pupils and boarders. There are currently 750 pupils on roll including 200 students in the sixth form. The Headmaster is Martin Reader....
and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 14 April 1972. He was promoted lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
on 14 October 1973, and captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
on 14 April 1978, In 1983 he attended Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
and was promoted major on 30 September 1983, and assumed command of a battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
of 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery in the British Army. They are currently based in Caen Barracks, Hohne, Germany.-Current role:...
(3RHA). In December 1985 he was appointed Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
to 1st Infantry Brigade, the brigade's main task was as NATO's "UK Mobile Force", which would have seen it reinforcing Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, or the Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
area of Germany. As a result of his performance in this post, especially for his organisation of British participation in the NATO multi-national Operation Bold Guard, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours
New Year Honours
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
. The citation for this honour remarked: "1st Infantry Brigade is closer in size to a normal division[, its] strength rising to over 15,000 when formed into the United Kingdom Mobile Force (UKMF).[...]Viggers enjoys a responsibility and workload far greater than that normally given to a Grade 2 officer. [... His contribution] has been quite outstanding, and far beyond the call of duty expected of an officer of his age and service." He was promoted lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1988, and was initially posted to the directing staff at Camberley before taking command of 3RHA in 1989. The regiment transferred from Germany to Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison is located in Colchester in the county of Essex. It has been an important military base since the Roman era. The first permanent military garrison in Colchester was established by Legio XX Valeria Victrix in 43 AD following the Claudian invasion of Britain. Colchester was an...
in early 1990, joining 19th Infantry Brigade.
Bosnia and Iraq
Viggers was promoted colonel on 30 June 1992, and served at the Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
in the Central Staff Directorate of Defence Policy, transferring to the Defence Costs Study Secretariat in 1993. Promoted brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
on 30 December 1994 (with seniority from 30 June 1994), he became Commander, Royal Artillery
Commander, Royal Artillery
Commander, Royal Artillery was a military appointment in Commonwealth infantry and armoured divisions in the 20th Century. The CRA was the senior artillery officer in the division and commanded the regiments of field, anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery, and provided specialist artillery and...
in HQ 3 (UK) Division in 1994 and attended the Higher Command and Staff Course
Higher Command and Staff Course
The Higher Command and Staff Course is a staff course for senior military officers of the United Kingdom armed forces and allies. It is taught at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom....
before deploying to Bosnia with the division as part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR)
IFOR
The Implementation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour. Its task was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for...
. He was then posted as Director of Manning (Army) in 1997, and was appointed Honorary Colonel of 100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
100th Regiment Royal Artillery is a British Territorial Army Royal Artillery regiment that has three gun batteries, all equipped with the L118 Light Gun.- The Batteries are :...
(Volunteers) on 31 December 1997, holding that appointment until 17 February 2001.
On 24 March 1999 Viggers returned to Bosnia as Commander Multinational Division (South West) in SFOR
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
and was granted acting promotion to major general)
Major-General (United Kingdom)
Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
, substantive promotion followed on 1 September 1999 (with seniority from the date of his acting rank). For his service there, he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service on 3 November 2000. On 9 February 2000 he became Chief of Staff at Land Command and remained there until May 2003. He received a further honorary appointment on 11 May 2000 when he became Deputy Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
of the Adjutant General's Corps
Adjutant General's Corps
The Adjutant General's Corps is a corps in the British Army responsible for many of its general administrative services. As of 2002, the AGC had a staff of 7,000 people...
. In May 2003 he was appointed Senior British Military Representative - Iraq, based in Baghdad following its occupation by US and British forces; for his service there he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) on 23 April 2004. His next post was as Military Secretary and Chief Executive Army Personnel Centre which he took up on 20 October 2003.
Adjutant General
On 4 April 2005 Viggers became Adjutant General, and was promoted lieutenant general. He became Colonel Commandant Royal Regiment of Artillery on 1 July 2005, and Colonel Commandant Adjutant General’s Corps on 3 November 2003, holding that appointment until 28 July 2008. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the New Year Honours 2007New Year Honours 2007
The New Year Honours 2007 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 30 December 2006, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2007....
. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Hampshire in June 2008.
Viggers's period as Adjutant General coincided with heavy commitments for the British Army, which led to increased media discussion of the pay and conditions in the British Armed forces. He spoke out against the conditions in some barracks, and of the need for improved funding to bring accommodation stock up-to-date. On 7 May 2007 The Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday is a British conservative newspaper, currently published in a tabloid format. First published in 1982 by Lord Rothermere, it became Britain's biggest-selling Sunday newspaper following the closing of The News of the World in July 2011...
published an article claiming that his house had been renovated at the taxpayers' expense, and he was also named in a 26 May article on the amount spent on accommodation and servants for high-ranking army officers. However Viggers complained to the Press Complaints Commission
Press Complaints Commission
The Press Complaints Commission is a voluntary regulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers. The PCC is funded by the annual levy it charges newspapers and magazines...
and The Mail on Sunday subsequently printed an apology, accepting that the accommodation renovated was in fact an MOD property, and he had not been to blame for the state of military housing. He also issued an apology and authorised the payment of £3 million in compensation to the families of Baha Mousa
Baha Mousa
Baha Mousa was an Iraqi man who was kicked and beaten to death while in British Army custody in Basra, Iraq in September 2003. The inquiry into his death heard that Mousa was hooded for almost 24 hours during his 36 hours of custody by the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment and that...
and nine other Iraqis tortured by British troops.
Retirement
Viggers retired on 29 October 2008. In December 2008 it was announced that he had been appointed to the House of Lords position of Gentleman Usher of the Black RodBlack Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
. He replaced Sir Michael Willcocks
Michael Willcocks
Lieutenant General Sir Michael Alan Willcocks, KCB, CVO was until 30 April 2009 the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the Parliament of the United Kingdom's House of Lords. This title is generally shortened to Black Rod....
on 30 April 2009 when Willcocks retired. On 18 May 2010, he was due to take part in the ceremonial opening of Parliament following the 2010 general election, but he suffered a multiple stroke and was unable to attend. His place was taken by his deputy, the Yeoman Usher, Ted Lloyd-Jukes. He resigned as Black Rod because of ill health on 28 October 2010.
Viggers is married with two children, and has a keen interest in sport. He is a trustee of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust which assists British Army regimental and corps museums; he is also an Honorary Fellow, and member of the advisory group, of the Institute of Continuing Professional Development; and has assisted in running events for the Army Benevolent Fund
Army Benevolent Fund
ABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund is a British charity. It is the British Army's national charity and provides financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers, and their families in times of need....
. On 9 December 2009, Viggers gave evidence to The Iraq Inquiry in which he was highly critical of the administration of post-war Iraq.