There are few commanders who have better understood both the rules of engagement, and how they affect the average soldier on the ground. He was a brilliant, and empathetic commander. Fluent in Russian, who recognised that NOT fighting and losing your men is a worthy goal.

Throughout his time in various commands he had to work with generals, often American frankly, who yearned for glory. Yearned to refight the cold war and get those stars and headlines they thought they deserved. He did not have a single none of that in his body. He was the British Army, at it's best