Brigadier Richard Rothery OBE, November 21, 1934 - June 20, 2021
BRIGADIER Richard Rothery, of Gifford, who has died aged 86, was a distinguished member of the military, serving in troubled areas that often required sound judgement and diplomatic understanding, especially in Northern Ireland.
On retiring, he was appointed bursar of Edinburgh Academy, where he is fondly remembered for his gracious manner and ability to overcome all problems.
The rector of the time, John Light, wrote on his retirement in 2000: “The Academy owes Richard and Pam Rothery a huge debt of gratitude for their hard work, their positive manner and above all shafts of humour. Dick’s contribution in his years here has been massive.”
Richard Campbell Rothery was born on the Isle of Wight, the son of Alec and Lorna Rothery. He grew up in Kent but his school was evacuated to Cornwall. He then attended St Edmund’s School, Canterbury.
He joined the Royal East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) in 1952 to do his national service but was keen to travel and heard that the Royal Irish Fusiliers – known as the Faughs – were about to be sent to Korea so he applied for a national service commission with them. Amongst the regiment’s duties in post-war Korea was to repair communications.
The regiment was sent to Kenya, where he decided to sign on as a regular. In the 1960s he was sent to various important assignments: Eglinton in Derry (appointed adjutant), Germany with the 7th Armoured Brigade, Borneo with the 99 Gurkha Brigade, Hong Kong and Catterick.
In 1970, he was posted to the Ministry of Defence.
He was promoted to Lt Colonel and appointed commander of the Royal Irish Rangers Depot at Ballymena. It was a torrid time, with the Ulster Workers’ Council calling for total strikes. Lt Col Rothery had to make arrangements for 250 naval personnel who had been imported to operate the power stations.
Ballymena was in a state of serious unrest and the Rev Ian Paisley was threatening to hold demonstrations in the centre of the town during an army parade. Lt Col Rothery had the unenviable task of keeping Mr Paisley in the regiment’s quarters as a token gesture. He confined Paisley to the tennis court.
“Dick, as ever, smoothed things over and diffused the situation brilliantly,” said Michael Robjohn, who was also serving with the regiment.
“He even invited the reverend to take tea in his own office. That was typical of Dick: a very modest and practical man – it was the nature of the beast, loyal to his friends and proud of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was a tremendous friend and a wonderful fellow officer.”
In 1981, he was awarded an OBE and in 1983 was Mentioned in Despatches.
After more time at the MoD, he was posted back to Northern Ireland as Deputy Commander 39 Brigade with the hunger strike at its height. He was on many of the dangerous night patrols.
After promotion to Brigadier in 1985, he served in Bangladesh and at the Staff College before his final posting as Assistant Commandant at Sandhurst, controlling a budget of £245 million.
From 1981 to 1986, Brig Rothery served as Deputy Colonel of the Royal Irish Rangers. The post necessitated that he fostered good relations in the community. He proved an ideal appointment.
In 1989 he was appointed bursar of Edinburgh Academy. He had to cope with many serious problems – rampant dry rot in the school’s principal buildings, the dining hall ceiling collapsing on New Year’s Day 1995 and the unexpected departure of a rector after only three years.
Brig Rothery was a brilliant organiser and, with his military background, he oversaw the detailed arrangements required for the many school events, especially for the opening by the Princess Royal in 1999 of the new games hall.
He and Pam Sharp met in their youth and married in 1959. They retired to Gifford, where Brig Rothery was an active member of the community and influential in raising funds for the restoration of the kirk.
An annual pride and joy was his entry (often prize-winning) of his sweet peas at Gifford Flower Show.
Brig Rothery, a man of much personal warmth, charm and courtesy, is survived by Pam and their daughter and two sons.
Alasdair Steven
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