James Eyre (British Army officer)
{{Short description|British Army general}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Sir James Eyre
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1930|11|02|df=yes}}
| birth_place = London, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2003|01|03|1930|11|02|df=yes}}
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| allegiance = United Kingdom
| branch = British Army
| serviceyears = 1955–1986
| rank = Major General
| unit =
| commands = London District
Household Division
Household Cavalry Regiment
Blues and Royals
| battles = Cyprus Emergency
Operation Banner
Falklands War
| awards = Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Mentioned in Despatches
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
Major General Sir James Ainsworth Campden Gabriel Eyre, {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|KCVO|CBE}} (2 November 1930 – 3 January 2003) was a senior British Army officer, who served as Major-General Commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District from 1983 until his retirement in 1986.
Military career
Educated privately in the United States and at Harvard University, Eyre was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards in 1955.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1418180/Major-General-Sir-James-Eyre.html Obituary: Major-General Sir James Eyre] Daily Telegraph, 8 January 2003 He served in Cyprus and was mentioned in despatches for his role as an intelligence officer during the EOKA disturbances.[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article853132.ece Obituary: Major-General Sir James Eyre]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Times, 23 January 2003 He was appointed commanding officer of the Blues and Royals (RHG/D) in 1970. After serving as a General Staff Officer in London District from 1973 to 1975, he became commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and Silver Stick to Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1978, Eyre was posted to HQ Northern Ireland during The Troubles as a Senior Intelligence Officer, and sought to improve relations between the Royal Irish Constabulary and the British Army. In 1980 he was made Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee at the Ministry of Defence, serving in that capacity there during the Falklands War, and in 1982 he became Director of Defence Programmes there. He was appointed Major-General commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District in 1983 and retired in 1986.
In retirement Eyre became a headhunter with Westminster Associates International.
Family
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=Sir Desmond Langley}}
{{s-ttl|title=GOC London District|years=1983–1986}}
{{s-aft|after=Sir Christopher Airy}}
{{end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eyre, James}}
Category:Harvard University alumni
Category:British Army major generals
Category:Royal Horse Guards officers
Category:Military personnel from London
Category:Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Category:British military personnel of the Cyprus Emergency
Category:Blues and Royals officers
Category:British military personnel of The Troubles (Northern Ireland)