The Haileybury Society is deeply saddened to learn of the death of General Lord Ramsbotham GCB, CBE (Mil), (M 48), former adjutant-general of the army and HM’s chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, who has died on December 13th 2022, aged 88.

Born on 6th November 1934 at Corbridge, David John Ramsbotham – or “Rambo” as he liked to be known by his fellow OHs – joined Melvill House at Haileybury, subsequently moving up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1954 to graduate in History in 1957.

Entering the army via National Service prior to Cambridge, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery and retained a Territorial Army commission as an acting lieutenant. In 1958, he was appointed on a regular army commission as lieutenant in 1958, to be promoted to captain three years later.

Early career in the British Army

David was Mentioned in Despatches during service during the Indonesian “Confrontation” in Borneo (right) between 1965 and 1966 (during which Sir John Chapple (K 45) also served).

The following year he was promoted to substantive major and then to lieutenant-colonel in 1971, serving as Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff. His work under Sir Michael Carver led to his OBE in 1974; he subsequently commanded a battalion of the Royal Green Jackets in Northern Ireland until 1975.

Elevation and promotion

Following elevation to colonel in 1976, and subsequently brigadier two years later, David served in Northern Ireland , for which he was appointed CBE in 1980; his role in Norther Ireland of course made him vulnerable and at one time he was even a target for the IRA with a bomb being placed under his car.

By 1987, he was in command of the 3rd Armoured Division as major-general, shortly after being promoted to lieutenant-general and then Commander UK Field Army and Inspector General of the TA. In the same year, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB).

In 1990, David stepped down as Commander of the Field Army, receiving an honorary appointment as Aide de Camp General to the Queen, which he held until his retirement from the army in 1993. During this period, he was also appointed Adjutant-General; just prior to his retirement, David was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (By GCB) in the 1993 New Year Honours list.

After the army

From 1995-2001, David served as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales, his independence during which led to strained relations with his political masters whether Conservative or Labour; it is probably for this reason that his service in the role was not extended a further three years.

As The Times writes in its obituary, “David Ramsbotham became the scourge of all that was biased or slack in the prison service, giving no quarter to governors neglectful of the health or welfare of their inmates. He was forcefully outspoken in his criticism, caring nothing for what anyone might think of him.”

His only black spot during this period was his comments made following the Bulger case; his suggestion that young James’s killers be released on reaching 18 almost led to his resignation before he made a fulsome apology.

A worthy and dedicated life peer

Nonetheless, in 2005, David was elevated once more, this time becoming a life peer as Baron Ramsbotham of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

In contrast to some of the highly questionable nominations of recent times, David’s elevation to the Lords was one based on true service, genuine merit and a profound dedication to the causes he espoused; he was to serve the Lords well as a cross-bench peer.

In particular, he was to continue and develop his interest in penal reform, serving in a variety of roles including as Vice-Chair of both the All Party Penal Affairs Group and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Learning and Skills in the Criminal Justice System.

He was also President of UNLOCK, The National Association of Ex-Offenders (a charity aiming to make the lives of convicted criminals better) and served as an Ambassador for The Prison Advice and Care Trust, an organisation with similar aims.

Dedication to prisoners

The lives of prisoners remained very close to his heart; his book Prisongate: The Shocking State of Britain’s Prisons and the Need for Visionary Change laid out his concerns for Britain’s prisons system and its need for reform.

As well as serving on the advisory board of the International Centre for Prison Studies, he was also to serve as a Patron to a number of prisons charities including: Prisoners Abroad; the Prisoners Education Trust; the Prisoner’s Advice Service; the African Prisons Project; and the Zahid Mubarek Trust, a charity set up following the death of a prisoner by a racist cellmate.

Never forgetting his military roots, David was also President of PTSD Resolution, a charity dedicated to providing treatment to military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress.

A proud Haileyburian

David Ramsbotham was a hugely popular and loyal member of The Haileybury Society, attending many events and remembered as a man of huge kindness and good humour.

Many OHs will of course remember “Rambo” as a dedicated servant to The Society itself, culminating in a stint as President. In 2015, The Haileybury Society honoured David by commissioning a portrait of him (left) painted by OH artist Amy Thomas (LS, Alb & M 98).

Society Secretary Jane Everard (LS 76 & Alb), recalls “Rambo” with great affection. Recalling the day when his portrait was presented to the school, she writes “Long will I cherish that day in 2015 – he marched across Big School and saluted me, then kissed my hand saying “Rambo reporting for duty, Ma’am!”

The Haileybury Society sends its deepest condolences to David’s family at this difficult time.

Main photograph of Lord David Ramsbotham: Wikipedia Commons

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General Lord Ramsbotham GCB, CBE (Mil) (M 48)