The Royal Artillery Museum has formally acquired the portrait of Field Marshal The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, captured by British portrait photographer Rory Lewis as part of his ongoing non-profit initiative to preserve the likenesses of distinguished military leaders. The portrait now joins the museum’s historic collection at Larkhill, celebrating one of the British Army’s most accomplished officers and its newly appointed Patron.
A Distinguished Career
The twelfth Gunner to attain the rank of Field Marshal, Lord Richards enjoyed an exceptional military career culminating in his appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff (2009–2013). He was created a Life Peer in 2014 in recognition of his service.
Field Marshal Lord Richards — Portrait Sitting - Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.
Beyond his formal command roles, he is perhaps best known for his decisive leadership during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 2000. Commanding a British rescue task force, he transformed it into a dynamic operational grouping that defended Freetown, safeguarded civilians, and supported the legitimate government against rebel forces. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Patron of the Royal Artillery Museum
Upon his appointment, Field Marshal Richards remarked:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed the Patron of the Royal Artillery Museum in succession to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The museum holds arguably the finest collection of artillery in the world, along with the most important regimental archive in the British Army — a product primarily of the extraordinary achievements of the Regiment in the First and Second World War.
While the inevitable move out of Woolwich (as the Regiment’s home came to Wiltshire) has been disruptive, the end-state of a new museum nestling on Salisbury Plain beside Larkhill Camp provides the best possible way to get our unique collection back on public display and available to support vital regimental training and education. I am delighted to be able to contribute to the work of the oldest regimental museum in the country, and to the delivery of the future Royal Artillery Museum project.”