Peter Ratcliffe

This article is about the British Army officer and author. For the British doctor and biologist, seePeter J. Ratcliffe.

Peter Ratcliffe
Peter Ratcliffe during the Dhofar Rebellion
Nickname(s)	Billy
Born	1951 Salford, Greater Manchester,England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1970–1997
Rank	Major
Unit	Special Air Service Parachute Regiment
Battles/wars	Operation Banner Dhofar Rebellion Falklands War Gulf War
Awards	Distinguished Conduct Medal Mentioned in Despatches
Other work	Author

MajorPeter Ratcliffe,DCM(born 1951) is a formerBritish Armysoldier and commissioned officer who served in theParachute Regimentand theSpecial Air Servicein a career of almost thirty years, during which he was awarded theDistinguished Conduct Medalfor gallantry in action during theGulf War.He is the author of the bookThe Eye of the Storm(2000).

Early life

Ratcliffe was born in 1951 and spent his childhood years inSalford, Greater Manchester,where as a teenager he was an apprenticed plasterer.

Military career

Ratcliffe joined the British Army'sParachute Regimentin January 1970 as private 24180996. He served with the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment onOperation BannerinNorthern Irelandin 1971–72, before transferring to theSpecial Air Service Regimentin 1972. He was attached to the22 SAS,seeing service with its 18 (Mobility) Troop, 'D' Squadron.

During his time in the SAS he saw active service in a number of conflicts, including theDhofar RebellioninOman,The Troubles,theFalklands War,for which on 8th October 1982 he wasMentioned in Dispatches,andOperation Granbyin theGulf War.

During the latter conflict, Ratcliffe was theRegimental Sergeant Majorof 22 SAS,and received an order to assume command of its 'A' Squadron in a highly unusual circumstance of a non-commissioned officer replacing an officer in a command position. He subsequently led the squadron on a raid behind enemy lines against anIraqi Armycommunications facility code-named by the British "Victor Two", for which he was afterwards awarded theDistinguished Conduct Medalfor gallantry in action.

Ratcliffe received a commission in 1992,and was promoted to captain in 1994.After completing his career as a training officer with23 Special Air Service Regiment,he retired from the British Army after almost thirty years' service with the rank of major in 1997.

Post-military activities

Ratcliffe published a memoir of his military career entitledEye of the Stormin 2000. He has been critical of other published works by former SAS personnel, specifically "Andy McNab"and"Chris Ryan",claiming that they have damaged the reputation of the regiment by fabricating elements of their war experiences in published works for monetary gain.

Ratcliffe has also publicly voiced concern about the provision ofpost traumatic stresssupport by the British Government to former soldiers of the British Army, following a number of high-profile suicides by former SAS soldiers after their military service careers.

Publications

• Eye of the Storm: 25 Years in Action with the SAS(2000).
• The Little Book of the SAS(2001).