| Sir Steuart Pringle | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 July 1928 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Marines |
| Years of service | 1946 - 1985 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 45 Commando Royal Marines |
| Battles/wars | Operation Banner |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Cross |
Lieutenant-General Sir Steuart Robert Pringle, 10th Baronet, of Stichill KCB DSC (born 21 July 1928) is a former Royal Marines officer who became Commandant General Royal Marines and who was seriously injured by an IRA car bomb.
Educated at Sherborne School, Pringle joined the Royal Marines in 1946.[1] He succeeded his father, Squadron Leader Sir Norman Hamilton Pringle as 10th Baronet in 1961.[1] He was appointed Commanding Officer of 45 Commando in 1971 and, after a tour at Headquarters Commando Forces from 1974 in which role he was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel,[2] he became Major-General Commando Forces in 1978.[3]
He went on to be Chief of Staff to the Commandant-General Royal Marines in 1979 and Commandant-General Royal Marines in 1981.[3] On the 17 October 1981 Pringle was injured by an IRA car bomb attached to his red Volkswagen car outside his home in Dulwich, South London as he went to take his pet black Labrador, Bella to the park for a run. One of the first questions he asked was, “How’s my dog?” His dog, Bella, was unscathed but Pringle lost a leg in the incident.[4] As commandant general of the Royal Marines, he was seen welcoming the Commandos home following the Falklands War.[5] Pringle was named BBC Pebble Mill Man of the Year for his "outstanding achievement and bravery". He returned to duties after his ordeal until his retirement in 1985.[3]
In retirement he became Chairman and Chief Executive of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.[3]
He was awarded a Hon DSc of City University London in 1982[6] and a Hon LLD of Exeter University in 1994.[1] He is also an Hon Admiral of the Texas Navy.[1]
In 1953 he married Jacqueline Marie Gladwell.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Richards |
Commandant General Royal Marines 1981–1985 |
Succeeded by Sir Michael Wilkins |
| Baronetage of Nova Scotia | ||
| Preceded by Norman Hamilton Pringle |
Baronet (of Stichill) 1961–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |