Lieutenant-Colonel Derek C Cleeton MBE

Following basic training at the Junior Tradesman’s Regiment, Rhyl 1967 to 1969, Derek was posted to 28 Transport and Movement Regiment, Dusseldorf Germany. Not content with BAOR soldiering he volunteered for Airborne Forces.

He was posted to Depot Para to undertake P Company on the winter course 1970.  Successfully passing selection Abingdon followed in January 1971.  On completion Derek was posted to 1 Parachute Logistic Regiment, 63 Parachute Squadron where he remained until 1975.

On promotion to Corporal Derek was posted to 23 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC in North Camp, Aldershot.  On promotion to Sergeant moving to 144 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC (V) as the Permanent Staff Instructor for the London Detachment, one of 4 detachments, Cardiff, Nottingham and Glasgow.  

In 1978 his 16 Parachute and 44 Parachute Brigades days came to an end and Derek returned to mainstream RCT duties.  On commissioning into the RCT in 1987, posting followed in Germany and Cyprus.  Selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 2002 and was appointed the Chief Instructor the All Arms Wing, Defence Logistic Supply School in 2003, part of the Defence College Logistics.  

On retirement from the British Army he assumed the appointment of Military Contract Officer in the United Arab Emirates as the Logistic Adviser to Headquarter Land Force. Retiring fully on the 1 April 2017.