MARTIN FARNDALE was one of the most outstanding generals of the post-war British army. Confident and dynamic, he was regarded by Nato as one of its finest field commanders.

As Commander 1st (British) Corps, British Army of the Rhine, in 1984, Farndale successfully oversaw Operation Lionheart. It was a vast exercise which involved 131,000 British troops including thousands of Army Reservists and Territorials. His success led him to being appointed a year later, Commander-in-Chief BAOR. He earned the respect of the National Corps under his command and worked tenaciously to bring about a defence policy to counter any Russian invasion. This policy was fully tested on Exercise Certain Strike, the largest postwar exercise carried out in Europe.

Martin Farndale was born in 1929 in Alberta, Canada, of British parents and brought up in Yorkshire. He joined the Indian Army in 1946, transferring to the British army a year later. After Sandhurst he was comissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1948. He saw service in the volatile Suez Canal zone where his command qualities were soon recognised. He was selected for the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) and attended Staff College, Camberley, in 1959 before enjoying a staff post with HQ, 17 Gurkha Division towards the end of the conflict in Malaya.

From 1964 to 1966 he commanded Chestnut Troop in 1st RHA in Germany and Aden during a particularly difficult period. In 1969, after three years as a Staff instructor at Camberley, he was given command of 1st RHA in Northern Ireland, where his gunners were used as infantry during the mounting civil unrest in Belfast.

After two quieter years at the Ministry of Defence, where he worked on defence policy, he was given command of 7th Armoured Brigade in Germany in 1976. His natural enthusiasm and charm helped him become a highly successful Director of Public Relations for the Army before becoming Director of Military Operations at the MoD in 1978. This post called for all his diplomatic skills as he was involved in the arrangements for Rhodesia's independence as Zimbabwe.

In 1980 he commanded 2nd Armoured Division in Germany where he was to serve for the remainder of his time in the Army. In 1983 he became Commander 1st (British) Corps and from 1985 until his retirement in 1987 he was Commander-in-Chief, BAOR, and Commander, Northern Army Group. He brought to this post a vast experience. An astute man, he was much admired by those who served under him for his single mindedness of purpose coupled with humility and humour.

On retirement after 42 years of service he became a director and senior defence adviser to Short Brothers and defence adviser to Deloitte Touche. He maintained his links with the Army and in particular his old regiment and was very proud to be appointed Master Gunner, St James's Park in 1988. He was also Colonel Commandant, RHA as well as the Royal Artillery and Army Air Corps and Honorary Colonel 3rd BattalionYorkshire Volunteers (TA).

In 1989 Farndale began to champion the idea of a Royal Artillery museum at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich to house the regiment's in large collection. It was mainly due to his inspired leadership and fund raising skills both as president and chairman that the money was raised for the building. He lived long enough to see it take shape. It will be opened in May 2001.

This exceptional man was also fine writer, producing his History of the Royal Artillery, published in five volumes from 1986. The sixth volume, The Far East Theatre 1941- 1946, is to be published posthumously. He was also a contributor to the British Army Review.

Farndale's only son, Richard, followed his father and joined the Royal Artillery

MAX ARTHUR

Martin Baker Farndale, soldier:
born 6 January 1929; CB 1980, KCB 1983; Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, Northern Army Group 1985-87; married 1955 Anne Buckingham (one son); died London 10 May 2000.