for his services in Afghanistan. In 2014, he was made a Commander of the Order of the Rokel, Sierra Leone's highest honour for "gallant leadership of the British Military intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War." Richards was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Rifle Volunteers on 1 September 2003, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery on 19 January 2005, and on 1 April 2007 he was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Richards was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in the 2011 New Years Honours. Richards was created a Life Peer on 24 February 2014 taking the title Baron Richards of Herstmonceux, of Emsworth in the County of Hampshire. Personal life In 1978 Richards married Caroline Reyne (née Bond). Lady Richards is a trustee of charities Plant for Peace and The Afghan Appeal. They have two daughters, Joanna and Pippa. Richards is a keen student of military history and a qualified offshore yachtsman. He is Admiral of the British Kiel Yacht Club and Royal Artillery Yacht Club. Bibliography Review of References External links Lord Richards of Herstmonceux House of Lords Ministry of Defence biography. Retrieved 2010-11-14 Living people 1952 births British Army generals People educated at Eastbourne College Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Companions of the Distinguished Service Order Deputy Lieutenants of Hampshire Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Crossbench life peers Alumni of Cardiff University Royal Artillery officers British military personnel of the Sierra Leone Civil War British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley Chiefs of the General Staff (United Kingdom) Chiefs of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom) Naval War College Review people Fellows of King's College London People from Herstmonceux Academics of the Staff College, Camberley Life peers created by Elizabeth II