The Haileybury Society is saddened to learn of the death of Colonel Michael Jon Howorth Vickery, OBE (Mil) (Th 61) who has died on on 13th December 2022, aged 75.

After Haileybury, Michael entered Sandhurst in 1966 before later joining the 14th/20th King’s Hussars, based at Paderborn, Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the UK sent two armoured divisions to take part in the conflict organised by an international coalition of states. Michael was tasked with assembling his division and preparing it for action, a feat he achieved in the face of considerable challenges brought about by the shrinking of the UK’s armed forces following the end of the Cold War.

Skill and pragmatism

It is a testament to his skills and pragmatism that despite only being told to do so in October 1990, he was able to achieve his aims within three months, delivering his regiment, ready for desert training by January the following year.

Yet Michael was not just an organiser, he was a leader; on February 25, the Hussars led 4th Armoured Brigade into the Kuwaiti desert; Michael’s own Challenger tank was amongst them and engaging the enemy directly. Continuing to advance forwards, and now about to confront a much stiffer enemy in the form of the Iraqi Republican Guard, further combat was denied by ceasefire being called.

Above: Michael at rest alongside a Challenger tank which achieved so much during the first Gulf War.

Leading from the front

In recent times, Britain has turned its back on tank manufacturing, closing its last major UK-owned plant and letting much of its efforts either wither on the vine, be trumped by procurement competitions scorned by other countries, or be sold off to – or merged with – foreign concerns. Yet Michael’s Vickers Challenger I tanks were fundamental to victory with the regiment destroying at least 50 Iraqi tanks for the loss of none. Michael was appointed OBE (Military) for his achievements in the battle.

Above: a British Challenger Tank in action during the first Gulf War

Following the Gulf War, Michael was promoted to full colonel during a time in which the so-called “Peace Dividend” at the end of the Cold War led to the slashing of Britain’s armed forces. This period of uncertainty and lack of commitment, a precursor to today’s hollowing out of ever more core elements of the armed forces, led to Michael eventually taking redundancy in 1999. He was later to work with organisations including the British arm of US arms maker General Dynamics.

The Haileybury Society sends its deepest condolences to Michael’s wife, Suzie, and their three children, at this difficult time.