David Ratford
Sir David Ratford | |
|---|---|
| British Ambassador to Norway | |
| In office 1990–1994 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir John Robson |
| Succeeded by | Mark Elliott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David John Edward Ratford 22 April 1934 |
| Alma mater | Selwyn College, Cambridge |
Sir David John Edward Ratford KCMG CVO is a retired British diplomat and translator.
Early life
[edit]David John Edward Ratford was born on 22 April 1934 to George Ratford and Lilian Ratford (née Jones).[1]
Ratford was educated at Whitgift Middle School. Ratford attended Selwyn College, Cambridge, graduating with a 1st class Honours degree in Medieval and Modern Languages.[1]
Diplomatic career
[edit]Ratford completed his national service in the Intelligence Corps from 1953 to 1955.[1]
Ambassador to Norway
[edit]Ratford was appointed the British Ambassador to Norway in 1990, succeeding Sir John Robson.
Ratford left this appointment in 1994.
Retirement
[edit]In April 2004, Ratford signed an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, expressing concern over Blair's policy on the Arab-Israel conflict and the Iraq war.[2]
In December 2004, Ratford signed a further open letter, urging Blair to commission an independent inquiry into the number of civilian casualties in Iraq since the invasion.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Ratford married Ulla Monica in 1960.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Ratford, Sir David (John Edward)". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2019. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Doomed to failure in the Middle East". The Guardian. 27 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "Text of letter to Tony Blair". BBC News. 8 December 2004. Archived from the original on 1 December 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
External links
[edit]- "Ratford, Sir David (John Edward)". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2019. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)