Quick Facts
Biography
General Sir Geoffrey Hugh Whitby Howlett KBE MC (born 5 February 1930) is a former senior British Army officer who was Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe.
Military career
Educated at Wellington College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Howlett was commissioned into the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1950. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1952.
In 1971 he was appointed Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and in 1975 he was made Commander of 16th Parachute Brigade. He was General Officer Commanding 1st Armoured Division from 1979 and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1982 to 1983 when he became GOC South East District. He was made Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe in 1986; he retired in 1989.
He was Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment from 1983 to 1990.