John Chapple

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, GCB, CBE, DL

"After completion of National Service and 3 years at Trinity College, Cambridge, Sir John joined the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in 1954. He served a number of tours in Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo and Hong Kong. He was serving as Commander British Forces Hong Kong when WWF Hong Kong was set up. He later became Commander-in-Chief UK Land Forces, and for four years served as the professional head of the Army (Chief of the General Staff) from 1988 during the first Gulf War. He was later Governor and Commander-in-Chief in Gibraltar and Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

"Sir John is a Life Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (serving twice on Council); a Life Fellow of the Zoological Society of London since 1946 (President 1992); a Life Member and Vice President of Fauna and Flora International; Life Fellow of Linnaean Society of London; Vice President of the Conservation Foundation (UK); Chairman of the UK Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal (and was on the Main Board of the Trust in Nepal); President British Schools Exploring Society; President of Trekforce and formerly Patron Coral Cay Conservation, as well as some 15 other conservation or natural history organisations including Galapagos, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and WWF Hong Kong. He served as Trustee of WWF-UK from 1988 - 1993."

• President, Cobra Foundation
• Patron, Gurkha Welfare Trust