General Sir Peter de la Billière’s career took him from service as a private in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry to command of British forces in the 1991 Gulf War. Along the way, he served with the Special Air Service in several conflicts, led the regiment and became its director. His experience in the Middle East and knowledge of the region informed his final major command: leading Britain’s contribution to the multinational campaign known as Operation Granby.
From the infantry to the SAS
Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière was born in Plymouth on 29 April 1934. His father, Claude Denis Delacour de la Billière, was a naval surgeon; he was killed in 1941 when HMS Fiji was sunk by German bombers south-west of Crete. Peter was educated at St Peter’s Court School in Broadstairs and at Harrow. In 1952, he enlisted as a private in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry, serving with its 1st Battalion in Japan, Korea and Egypt.
In 1956, de la Billière passed selection for the Special Air Service. During his first SAS tour, he served in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency and in Oman. In 1959, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross for leading a troop in the assault on Jebel Akhdar. After returning to the Durham Light Infantry to run recruit training, he became adjutant of 21 SAS, the London-based Territorial Army reserve regiment.
His subsequent service included Aden and Borneo. In 1962, he was attached to the Federal Army in Aden. From 1964 to 1966, he commanded A Squadron of 22 SAS as it deployed to Borneo during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation; he was awarded a bar to his Military Cross for his actions there. After passing Staff College on a second attempt, he held an intelligence post in Special Forces and served as second-in-command of 22 SAS.
Commanding the regiment
De la Billière commanded 22 SAS from 1972 to 1974. His service in Oman, including the battles at Musandam and Dhofar, led to his appointment as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in 1976. After a period in administrative roles, including command of the British Army Training Team in Sudan, he returned to the regiment in 1979 as Director SAS. He held overall responsibility for the SAS Group for the next four years.
During this period, the regiment became more widely known after its storming of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980. De la Billière was also responsible for planning Operation Mikado during the Falklands War. In 1982, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. His career then moved into senior regular Army appointments: he became Military Commissioner and Commander of British Forces in the Falkland Islands in 1984, General Officer Commanding Wales District in 1985, and General Officer Commanding South East District in 1988. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1987.
Operation Granby
Although due to retire, de la Billière was appointed Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in Operation Granby on 6 October 1990. The appointment placed him at the head of Britain’s forces in the Gulf War and, within the wider multinational coalition, as second-in-command to US General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. His experience of fighting in the region, knowledge of its people and some fluency in Arabic were factors in his selection.
One important question was how to use special forces in the conflict. De la Billière helped persuade Schwarzkopf, who was initially sceptical, to allow the SAS and other special forces significant roles. The British contingent grew from 14,000 troops in early November 1990 to more than 45,000 by the end of the engagement and the cessation of hostilities in February 1991. The British campaign was part of the coalition operation to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait, which Iraq had invaded.
In 1991, de la Billière was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross. He ended his Army career as a general. Before retiring in June 1992, he also served as a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence on Middle East military matters.
Writing and later life
De la Billière wrote or co-wrote 18 books, including an autobiography, a personal account of the Gulf War and several works about the SAS. His 1992 book Storm Command: A Personal Account of the Gulf War recounts his experience of the conflict. His other honours included the Military Cross and bar, the Distinguished Service Order and a mention in despatches. He also received Saudi Arabia’s Order of King Abdulaziz, 2nd Class, and the United States’ Legion of Merit in 1993.
In 1965, he married Bridget Constance Muriel Goode; they had one son and two daughters. His service across different commands and conflicts—from the early years of his Army career to the Gulf War—provides the framework for understanding his place in British military history.
Why General Sir Peter de la Billière deserves a place in British Legacy
De la Billière’s place in British Legacy rests on a career that connected frontline service, special forces leadership and high-level command. His progression from enlisted soldier to general was not simply a rise through the ranks: it included service in the Durham Light Infantry, selection for the SAS, command of 22 SAS and responsibility as Director SAS. His awards recognise particular episodes of service, including the Military Cross for the assault on Jebel Akhdar and a bar for his actions in Borneo. These details make his story a record of specific military duties and decisions, rather than a general celebration of service.
His command during Operation Granby is the defining public episode of that career. He led Britain’s forces in a major coalition campaign, drawing on experience in the Middle East and arguing for a significant role for British special forces. The British contingent expanded substantially during the operation, and his appointment placed him within the senior command of the multinational force. His later writing, including a personal account of the Gulf War and books about the SAS, also preserved his perspective on military service for readers. Taken together, these achievements offer a substantial British story: one of a soldier whose responsibilities ranged from small-unit operations to the command of a large national force in an international conflict.
Sources
Adapted in part from Peter de la Billière by Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been edited and combined with the existing article; this adapted text is shared under the same licence. Contributor history.