Gulf War hero resigns from the British Army

GULF WAR hero Colonel Tim Collins, whose eve of battle speech to his men before they entered Iraq last year made him a national hero, has resigned from the British Army.

Belfast-born Colonel Collins became world famous and widely praised when he told his soldiers at the start of the war: “If you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.”

Colonel Collins, aged 43, tendered his resignation last week and is expected to be out of the Army by the summer after 22 years’ service. The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on his departure, but military sources confirmed the soldier was quitting.

The Ministry of Defence said: “It is a private matter between the British Army and Colonel Collins.”

A spokesman said it was not normal practice to discuss individuals publicly.

The cigar-chomping soldier with Hollywood-style good looks appeared to be leaving a career in which he was disillusioned.

His wife, Caroline, told the Mail on Sunday: “Tim is no longer convinced that the Army reflects the country with the fourth largest economy in the world. He fears it is becoming a cottage industry. He’s worried it is being crippled by political correctness, petty bureaucracy and the refusal of politicians who send British soldiers to war to give them enough money to do their job.”

Mrs Collins told the newspaper a major factor in her husband’s decision to resign was the Army’s failure to support him when he was wrongly accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners.

A US Army reservist, whom Collins had disciplined in Iraq, made the allegation and the Ministry of Defence launched an extensive investigation, news of which was leaked to the media. Colonel Collins was eventually exonerated, promoted and awarded an OBE. Despite being cleared of all allegations, the months-long investigation clearly left a bad taste.

Ms Collins, speaking from their home in Canterbury, Kent, said of her husband: “The height of his ambition was to command The Royal Irish Regiment on operations, something he achieved during the Iraq campaign. It’s time for a fresh challenge.”

The father of five is set on a civilian career in leadership and management training, it is understood.

Colonel Collins’ rousing speech to British soldiers hours before they entered into battle in Iraq ensured he made headlines around the world. He urged his troops to wrap their fallen comrades in a sleeping bag, fight on and grieve for them after the heat of battle. But poignantly he also warned the 600 soldiers poised in the Iraqi border, that some of them may not return to their families. The speech won high praise in a personal letter from Prince Charles, while President George W Bush is understood to have requested a copy for the wall of the Oval Office.