Richard Cantrill

Major-General Richard John Cantrill, (born 26 March 1974) is a senior Royal Marines officer. In 2024 he became Commander Operations, the first Royal Marine to hold the post.

Early life and education Cantrill was born on 26 March 1974 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. He was educated at Reigate Grammar School, an independent school in Reigate, Surrey. He later undertook postgraduate study at King's College London, completing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in defence studies in 2011.

Military career Cantrill joined the Royal Marines in 1996. He deployed to Sierra Leone in 2000 as part of Operation Palliser; he commanded 42 Commando's forward recce screen deep in the jungle. He was promoted to major in 2004 and, in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan as officer commanding L Company, 42 Commando. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) "for gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2008 to 31st March 2009": he successfully led the company during a three-day assault on Kasnishin, a Taliban stronghold, during the deployment.

In 2010, he became military assistant to the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations). He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 2011, having held the rank in an acting capacity. In the 2014 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Also in 2014, he was made commanding officer of 42 Commando.

Cantrill joined the Ministry of Defence as the assistant head for counter-terrorism and UK Operations in 2018. He was appointed to command 3 Commando Brigade on 2 September 2020. with the promotion to major general on 6 May 2024.

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