Buster Howes


Francis Hedley Roberton "Buster" Howes, is a Royal Marines officer who was Commandant General Royal Marines from February 2010 to December 2011.

Early life

Howes was educated at Christ's Hospital, an independent school in Horsham, West Sussex. He studied chemistry at the University of York, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed a Master of Arts degree in strategic studies at the University of London.

Military career

Howes was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1982. He became a troop commander in 42 Commando and had his first posting to Northern Ireland. After training as a Mountain Leader, he transferred to 45 Commando. He served in the Gulf War while on secondment to the USMC. He served as a planner in the Rapid Reaction Force Operations Staff of UNPROFOR during the Bosnian War in 1995.
Howes became Commanding Officer of 42 Commando in 2003, Chief Joint Coordination and Effects in Headquarters ISAF in Afghanistan in 2007 and Director of Naval Staff later that year. He went on to be Commander of 3 Commando Brigade in April 2008, Head of Overseas Operations in the Ministry of Defence in 2009 and Commandant General Royal Marines in February 2010. He was Head of the British Defence Staff – US and Defence Attaché in Washington, D.C. from 2011 to 2015.

Honours

Howes was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2003. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2013 Birthday Honours.