Colonel Roger G Southerst

Roger Guest Southerst was commissioned into The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1954.

He served a three year tour with 2 PARA from 1957, initially as a platoon commander with A Coy and then Mortar Platoon. He then became the Signals Officer and also married Anne in 1959.

Promoted to Captain in 1960, he temporarily took command of HQ Coy, before reverting to Regimental Signals Officer. He rejoined the DWR later that year in Kenya.

On his return from Kenya Roger transferred permanently to The Parachute Regiment in 1962, and was posted as Adjutant to the 17th Battalion (TA) from 1962-64. A posting to 3 Division followed.

Promoted to Major in 1967 he served as a staff officer at the Army Air Transport Training and Development Centre (AATDC) prior to becoming commander of A Coy 1 PARA in 1968. He deployed with 1 PARA to Northern Ireland for its first tour in October 1969.

He went on to serve as Regimental Adjutant from 1971 to 1974. Promoted to Lt Col in 1974 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Depot from 1974 to 1977.

Roger was promoted to Colonel in 1980. His later appointments included Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Paris and Military Adviser in Kenya, prior to retirement from the Army in 1988.