Ex-Army chief Lord Peter Inge famous for ‘putting the fear of God’ into officers leaves staggering sum to family in will

FORMER Army chief Lord Peter Inge left £3million in his will.

Lord Inge died in July 2022, aged 86, after a five-decade career in which he rose from National Service conscript to Field Marshal.

He was the last Field Marshal to actively serve in the Army, with those since elevated to the highest rank, including King Charles, only done so after their retirement.

Lord Inge was famous for putting the fear of God into other senior officers with cutting remarks and incisive questions.

He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1992, then Chief of the Defence Staff in 1994.

Lord Inge later became a fierce critic of the British campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and blasted the Ministry of Defence for failing to “think strategically”.

The South London-born officer took the top Armed Forces job after his predecessor was caught having an affair with a Tory MPs wife, and while British forces were struggling in Bosnia.

Sir John Major’s Conservative government had also pledged to further slash the size of the Army – with Inge under pressure to accept fresh cuts.

The no-nonsense officer led forces through the conflict and was reportedly “delighted” to come under mortar fire during a ride around Saravejo in a French armoured SUV.

After being elevated to the House of Lords, Lord Inge of Richmond, Yorks., became a vocal critic of further plans to cut the Army.

He left £3,167,854 in his estate, reduced by £150,000 after deductions.

His wife Letitia died in 2020 so it was divided between daughters Antonia, 63, and Verity, 59.

They also get their South London-born dad’s vast collection of military memorabilia, farm estate in Leyburn, North Yorks, and central London flat.

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