Quick Facts
Biography
Major General David Anthony Somerset Pennefather, CB, OBE (born 17 May 1945) is a former Royal Marines officer who served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 1996 to 1998.
Military career
Pennefather was educated at Wellington College, then joined the Royal Marines in 1963. He was commissioned as an acting lieutenant in 1965. He was Commanding Officer of 42 Commando from 1988 to 1990 and was appointed OBE in 1990 "in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland". He became Commander of 3 Commando Brigade in 1992 and Commander of the United Nations Rapid Reaction Force during the Bosnian War for which he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He went on to be Commandant General Royal Marines in 1996 before retiring in 1998.
Later life
In retirement he became Secretary of the Royal Humane Society and a director of the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth.
Family
He married the late Sheila Elizabeth Blacklee; they have a son and a daughter, James and Catherine.