Peter Terry

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Peter Terry
18 October 1926
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Allegiance Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Flag of the Royal Air Force Royal Air Force
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Other work Governor of Gibraltar

Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Terry, GCB (b. 18 October 1926) is a retired senior Royal Air Force commander.

Terry took up the post of Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 25 March 1977. On 30 April 1979, Terry was appointed Commander-in-Chief of RAF Germany. From 9 April 1981 to 16 July 1984 Terry was Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at SHAPE.

Terry was Governor of Gibraltar from 19 November 1985 to December 1989[1]. During his tenure as Governor, Terry authorised the SAS to pursue IRA members as part of Operation Flavius.

On 18 September 1990 the IRA attempted to kill Terry at his Staffordshire home in revenge for his part in Operation Flavius. The attack took place at 9 pm at the Main Road house. The gunman opened fire through a window hitting him at least nine times and injuring his wife, Lady Betty Terry, near the eye. The couple's daughter, Liz, was found suffering from shock. Terry's face had to be rebuilt as the shots shattered his face and two high-velocity bullets lodged a fraction of an inch from his brain.[2] The then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, said that she "was utterly appalled and deeply grieved" by the shooting.[3]

In 2006, Terry was installed as a knight grand cross of the Order of the Bath.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Michael Brufal. Governors of Gibraltar (1945 onwards). rockjottings.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  2. ^ IRA gun attack on ex Governor. westmidlands.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  3. ^ Remarks condemning IRA attack on Sir Peter Terry ("deeply grieved"). Margaret Thatcher Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
  4. ^ "Queen attends Order of the Bath", bbc.co.uk, 2006-05-17. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. 
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir John Stacey
Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany
1979–1981
Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Kennedy
Preceded by
G Luther
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
1981–1984
Succeeded by
G Kiessling
Government offices
Preceded by
Sir David Williams
Governor of Gibraltar
1985–1989
Succeeded by
Sir Derek Reffell
Royal Air Force personnel stub This biographical article related to the Royal Air Force is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.