Field Marshal Sir John Chapple was born in 1931 and studied at Haileybury, during which time he took part in five expeditions of the British Exploring Society, which began his lifelong interest in conservation.
He did his National Service as a subaltern in the Royal Artillery before reading German and history at Trinity College, Cambridge. Sir John became chief of the general staff in September 1988 and was a widely respected head of the army during the Gulf war.
He supported, in various ways, many organisations including the Society, which he had joined as a Fellow at 16. He went on to serve on the Society's council twice as well as scientific exploration advisor to our medals and awards committee.
READ AN EXTENDED TRIBUTE TO SIR JOHN (via The Times)