Commanding Officers

After completing my chronicle of the UNIT uniforms (to date), it got me thinking about the officers who have commanded the UK branch, so here is a list of all the Commanding Officers of the UK branch of UNIT that we have yet seen.

                                                                                                                 

Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart
c.1968 – 1976

Lethbridge-Stewart was the first Commanding Officer of the UK Branch of UNIT having being appointed to this position when the organisation was founded.

We do not know what date UNIT was founded due to the UNIT Dating Controversy, but 1968 was the year “The Invasion” first aired, which was UNIT’s first onscreen appearance. Lethbridge-Stewart retired as CO in 1976, as stated in “Mawdryn Undead”. However, he continued to be called back into service by UNIT on a number of subsequent occasions.

                                                                                                                 

 Colonel Faraday
1976 – c.1980

Colonel Faraday appears in “The Android Invasion”. Though not explicitly stated in the show, I would argue that it was Faraday who took over command of UNIT when Lethbridge-Stewart retired (for my reasons why I believe Faraday to be UNIT's CO, see my entry on The Sporadic Years).

We do not know when Farady left UNIT, but according to the audio drama “The Oseiden Adventure”, he is still with the organisation in 1979. 

                                                                                                                 
 
Colonel Charles Crichton
c.1980 – Late 1980s

All we know about Crichton is that he was Commanding Officer of the UK branch of UNIT in 1983.

In the show, Colonel Crichton is listed as being Lethbridge-Stewart’s replacement. However, this is a throwaway line in “The Five Doctors”, and it is not explicitly stated that Crichton is his immediate replacement. If he was indeed the immediate successor of Lethbridge-Stewart, then by the time of “The Five Doctors” he has been UNIT’s CO for seven years. According to the novelisation of Downtime, he was still UNIT’s CO in 1995, having been promoted to Brigadier. This means that he has been UNIT’s CO for almost 20 years, which is a ridiculous assertion. Military postings just don’t last that long (not to mention the fact that his appearance in the Downtime novelisation is contradicted by the UNIT Dominion audio dramas, and I always give precedence to the audios over the novels since they contain the real cast members. In addition to that, the Downtime novelisation has Bambera as a Captain, meaning that within two years she will be promoted to Brigadier to replace Crichton. A promotion from Captain to Brigadier, missing out the intervening ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, in less than two years is preposterous! It was clearly written by someone who has no idea how the military really works (which is an accusation that can be levelled more and more at Doctor Who these days!!) and resultantly I don’t hold that novelisation in very high regard. Thankfully, neither Crichton nor Bambera were in the video version of Downtime, which is the version I count as the ‘real’ one).

 

It is far more reasonable to surmise that Crichton did not immediately replace Lethbridge-Stewart (I would argue that, based on “The Android Invasion”, Colonel Faraday did that). It is also possible that there was at least one more Commanding officer who came between Crichton and Lafayette, but if this is the case, we have, as yet, not seen him or her. Alternatively, Lafayette could have been Crichton’s immediate successor.  

                                                                                                                 
  

Colonel Lafayette

Late 1980s

 

 

 

Colonel Lafayette appears in the “UNIT Dominion” audio dramas, in which he is stated to have been in charge of the UK contingent of UNIT for “three months”.

 

"UNIT Dominion" does not give a setting, but we can reasonably assume that it is in the late 1980s (for a start, Dr Klein, UNIT’s Scientific Adviser, records things onto cassette tapes rather than CDs). Additionally, the Doctor meets Dr Klein again in a later adventure (“Persuasion”), which is set in 1990, so we know that Dominion comes before then chronologically.

 

Note that the artwork in the CD gives Colonel Lafayette the gorget patches of a General. A Colonel’s gorget patches are plain red and do not have the gold oak leaves on them. 

                                                                                                                 

 

Major Wyland-Jones

Late 1980s

 

 

 

Major Wyland-Jones replaces Colonel Lafayette when the latter is killed in “UNIT Dominion”.

 

As a Major, Wyland-Jones is the lowest ranked Commanding Officer we’ve yet seen. The story tells us that Geneva had been grooming to him to replace Lafayette for “weeks”, but that doesn’t explain why they would be preparing an officer of that grade, when all the previous Commanding Officers have been substantive Colonels or above. One wonders if he was promoted shortly after this adventure (to Lieutenant Colonel?). Perhaps UNIT cutbacks meant that they were trying to save money on higher salaries.

 

Note that in the CD artwork, Wyland-Jones is wearing neither a UNIT beret nor UNIT cap badge. Presumably he was given a red beret as that is the colour associated with UNIT thanks to the new series (despite it being inaccurate for the time period this story is set in), but surely they could have Photoshoped the UNIT globe on at the very least.  

                                                                                                                 

 

Brigadier Winifred Bambera

c.1990s – early 2000s

 

 

 

We see Brigadier Bambera as Commanding Officer of UNIT UK in “Battlefield”, set in 1997. We are given no indication of how long she has been in charge. She is one of only two Brigadiers to command the UK branch, as all other COs hold the rank of Colonel. It is entirely reasonable to suggest that there was at least one other Commanding Officer of UNIT who served between Wyland-Jones and Bambera, whose post would cover the period of the early to mid-1990s.

 

We later meet Brigadier Bambera again in the audio adventure “Animal”, set in 2001, which means she retained her command into the early years of the 21^st Century. Presumably she was succeeded by Colonel Brimmicombe-Wood, though it would be entirely possible for another CO to have been in post between them.

In the audio drama "UNIT Assembled", Lieutenant Sam Bishop mentions "General Bambera" as being in Peru, so she is still presumably a very senior officer with UNIT in the 2010s. 

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Ross Brimmicombe-Wood

Early 2000s – Early 2005

 

 

 

Colonel Brimmicombe-Wood is the CO of UNIT UK in the first series of UNIT audio dramas (though it turns out he was a traitor and working for ICIS all along).

 

I would surmise that Brimmicombe-Wood became the CO in 2003 (in the winter of 2004/2005, Colonel Chaudhry mentions that Brimmicombe-Wood got to know her at the staff Christmas party, which presumably was the previous year’s). 

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Robert Dalton

2005

 

 

 

Colonel Dalton was brought in as Acting Commanding Officer when Brimmicombe-Wood was kidnapped. He only held the post for a month or so before being killed by a bomb blast in Downing Street. 

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Emily Chaudhry        

2005 – c.2007  

 

 

 

Colonel Chaudhry was originally UNIT UK’s Press and PR Officer, but was promoted to the role of Commanding Officer after Brimmicombe-Wood’s treachery was exposed.

 

On a side note, I loved the UNIT audio dramas, but found it eminently unbelievable that UNIT has two substantive Colonels in the form of the Commanding Officer and the Press Officer. Chaudhry even mentions that UNIT’s budget has been slashed, so why are they funding two such high-ranking officers. They should have made her a Lieutenant Colonel or Major to make it a little more believable. In reality, regimental press officers in the British Army tend to be much lower ranked officers (like Lieutenants or Captains). However, given the nature of UNIT, one can see why a higher ranked officer might be necessary, though I still assert that a full Colonel is unlikely.  

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Alan Mace

c.2007 – 2009

 

 

 

 

The first UNIT commander we see in the new series of Doctor Who is Colonel Alan Mace, who we meet in “The Sontaran Stratagem”; a story set in 2009. We are given no indication of how long he has been in charge of the UK contingent prior to this; however, he appears to be in charge of UNIT during the Racnoss incursion of Christmas 2007, as seen in “Turn Left”. It is entirely feasible that he took over from Colonel Chaudhry sometime between 2005 and 2007.

In the audio drama "UNIT Assembled", Lieutenant Sam Bishop says that "Mace" is in Japan. This implies that Mace is still with UNIT in the 2010s, although it doesn't state his rank at that point.  

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Augustus Oduya

2009 – Early 2010s

 

 

 

Colonel Oduya appears in Torchwood “Children of Earth”. Dialogue suggests that he succeeded Colonel Mace, who is said to have been posted to Vancouver. This story is dated to September 2009. We do not know how long he lasted in the role.

 
The next time we see UNIT on screen (In “The Power of Three”) we are told that Kate Stewart, the daughter of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, is now in overall charge of the organisation. However, Kate is a scientist, in charge of UNIT’s scientific research; the military side of UNIT would still have a Commanding Officer (it is unlikely that any military organisation would suddenly relinquish their authority to a civilian). 

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Shindi

c.2013

 

 

 

The new series of UNIT audios, beginning with “UNIT Extinction” introduces us to the character of Colonel Shindi. These stories are set between “The Power of Three” and “The Day of the Doctor”, so we can tentatively date them to 2012 or 2013.

 

Note that the CD artwork for Colonel Shindi shows him with unkempt hair, a beard and moustache. Military regulations would never allow him to have either the length of hair that he has, or the beard (the moustache, however, is acceptable, making him the first CO with a moustache since Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and Colonel Faraday). Obviously, one can’t expect an actor to change their appearance for an audio adventure, but surely Photoshop could have been used to make him look more realistically military.  

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Ahmed

c.2014

 

 

 

 

The character of Colonel Ahmed appears as the highest ranking UNIT officer aboard Boat One in “Death in Heaven”. However, he is killed by the Cybermen. 

                                                                                                                 

 

Colonel Walsh

c.2015

 

 

 

 

Colonel Walsh was in command of a contingent of UNIT troops in Turmezistan in “The Zygon Invasion”, however, we can safely assume that she is a British officer (or, at the very last, an officer in a Commonwealth army) because both she and Major Hitchins wear British rank insignia. 

                                                                                                                 

 

And that brings us up-to-date. I really hope that we will soon see another Commanding Officer for the UK branch of UNIT, maybe even one who can become a recurring character alongside Kate Stewart; possibly even Colonel Walsh since she, as far as we know, survived the Zygon gambit. 

                                                                                                                 

 

Dishonourable mentions:

 

Colonel Tia Karim

c.2010

 

 

 

The Sarah Jane Adventures introduced us to the character of Colonel Karim, but I personally do not count her as one of UNIT’s COs (despite her being referred to as a Colonel), simply because I prefer to think of her more as the Officer Commanding UNIT’s Mount Snowden Base (plus her rank insignia displays the pips of a Lieutenant not a Colonel). Thankfully, it is not stated in the episode that she is UNIT’s Commanding Officer, so my theory doesn’t contradict on screen evidence. 

 

Personally, I think that these days whenever the Doctor Who writers need a military character in a position of authority they seem to just plump for a Colonel, regardless of how realistic this would actually be. It is perhaps my biggest criticism of NuWho that there doesn’t seem to be anyone who actually understands how a military organisation works (the same criticism can be levelled at Sherlock – there are so many mistakes it brings me right out of the narrative!).

 

 

The Sporadic Years: 1975 – 1983

From the eras of the Fourth and Fifth Doctors:

“Terror of the Zygons”

Director Douglas Camfield reckoned that the UNIT fatigues used previously “looked too soft”, so for “Terror of the Zygons” the look of the UNIT troops was updated and they were given DPM camouflage jackets, which brought them up-to-date with the look of the real British Army of the time.

UNIT OR in Combats

Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM)

The oval UNIT patch is not worn on the sleeves of the new DPM jackets.

UNIT troops in camouflage combat jackets

The UNIT cap badge was also modified from the plastic-looking white logo, to a new metallic-looking black-coloured disk.

RSM Benton sporting the new UNIT cap badge

The Brigadier retained his Barrack Dress and peaked cap, but reverted to his ’37-pattern webbing belt and flapless pistol holster.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (left) and the Doctor (right)

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (right) in his Barrack Dress
He has reverted to his '37-pattern belt

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart discharges his pistol

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (centre) in his Barrack Dress
Behind him you can see UNIT troops in their new DPM jackets

Since UNIT were out on active service in Scotland for the duration of this serial, no Service Dress uniforms were seen.

“The Android Invasion”

In their next appearance, UNIT troops are dressed in Barrack Dress., although they don't wear the UNIT patch on their pullover sleeves. 



UNIT Private in Barrack Dress

 

UNIT Corporal in Barrack Dress

 

RSM Benton wears his Service Dress uniform throughout, and he appears to have finally been awarded a medal. His lanyard is again worn on his right arm.

RSM Benton (right) now wears a General Service Medal ribbon

(From left to right) Grierson, Lieutenant Sullivan, Colonel Faraday, and RSM Benton

Interestingly, the cap badges are now white again, with a slightly different design to the old style of UNIT globe. The outer circle is thinner, and it no longer appears to have UNIT written on it (though there are certainly markings where the lettering ought to be). There is also a black rim around the outside.

The UNIT cap badge now features a larger globe at the centre, and a black outline around the outer perimetre

Oddly, Benton appears to have reverted to wearing the old style of globe.

RSM Benton still wears the old style of UNIT cap badge

Instead of the normal cloth belts, the UNIT troops in this serial wear '58-pattern belts with their Service Dress, which allows for the addition of pistol holders.

RSM Benton wears a '58-pattern belt and pistol holster with his Service Dress

 

'58-pattern belt worn with Service Dress

Because actor Nicholas Courtney was unavailable for this story, the character of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is absent, replaced by the character of Colonel Faraday, who is said to be in charge while the Brigadier is away at UNIT HQ in Geneva. Oddly, Colonel Faraday wears no UNIT insignia; there is no oval patch on his arm, nor does he wear a red lanyard.

Colonel Faraday wears none of the distinctive UNIT insignia

 

This could suggest that he has only been temporarily seconded to UNIT just for the duration of the Brigadier’s absence. However, given the Top Secret nature of UNIT, this seems like an odd thing to do, when surely UNIT would have their own officers who could just take temporary command. My theory is that since the Brigadier is in Geneva, perhaps he is being groomed for bigger and better things there, so Faraday could have been sent to UNIT as the Brigadier’s potential permanent replacement. We know that the Brigadier retired from UNIT in 1976; we don’t know that at the point of retirement whether he was still in charge of the UK contingent, or if he had moved on to better things higher up the organisation. Additionally, since this story was broadcast in 1975 that is close enough to the Brigadier's 1976 retirement date to explain Faraday's appearance. To me, this is the most likely explanation since it would be unlikely that an organisation such as UNIT would have two such high ranking officers as a Brigadier and a substantive Colonel at the same time within the UK contingent.

Android duplicates of Lieutenant Sullivan (left), Colonel Farady (centre), and the Doctor (right)

Clearly Faraday stayed on with UNIT since he is mentioned in the audio drama “The Oseidon Adventure”, but it is stated he is away in Switzerland at the time of that adventure (set in 1979, three years after the Brigadier retired). However, by 1983 we know that he will have been replaced by Colonel Crichton (as seen in “The Five Doctors”).

Colonel Faraday
Could he have been Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart's replacement?

"The Seeds of Doom”

Again, Barrack Dress is the uniform worn by UNIT’s brief appearance in “The Seeds of Doom”.

UNIT troops in Barrack Dress and '58-pattern webbing

UNIT Sergeant (left) in Barrack Dress, with Sarah Jane (centre) and the Doctor (right)

In addition, Major Beresford gets to wear his Service Dress uniform. Oddly, he wears it with a UNIT beret rather than peaked cap, as all other officers have done. Also, one interesting thing to note is that Major Beresford is the only UNIT officer of the classic series, other than the Brigadier (and Benton in “The Android Invasion”), who wears any medal ribbons. However, on closer inspection you can see that Beresford’s medals look vaguely familiar as they are actually identical to the Brigadier’s! I suspect that they have just been recycled by the costume department. Note also that, like Captain Yates’s early appearances, Beresford wears no UNIT globes on his lapels.

Major Beresford (right) wears a beret with his Service Dress uniform

Again, the modified UNIT cap badges introduced in “The Android Invasion” are worn here.

Major Beresford (left) and the UNIT troops (right) wear the modified UNIT globe

Sir Colin Thackeray (left) and Major Beresford (right)

“The Five Doctors”

In this serial we see UNIT’s new commander, Colonel Crichton, wearing Service Dress, and a Sergeant wearing Barrack Dress. Crichton wears a UNIT patch on his left arm, and so does the Sergeant, indicating that it has returned to the Barrack Dress pullover, having being absent for the last two stories. The patch itself is slightly modified as the wide khaki border has once again been removed, making it look more like the original patch again. Crichton also has the red lanyard on his right arm that all UNIT personnel have worn up to this point. However, this story would be the last time we’d see it.

Colonel Charles Crichton

Colonel Crichton (left) in Service Dress, and a UNIT Sergeant (right) in Barrack Dress

Neither wear any headwear as they are indoors; however, Crichton’s cap can be seen on the coat stand (as a full Colonel, his headwear would be the same as the peaked cap previously worn by the Brigadier).

Colonel Crichton's peaked cap can be seen on the coat stand (right)

Through the office door we can also see the Sergeant’s beret hung on the coat stand in the ante-room. However, it appears to be black or navy blue rather than the sand colour we’ve previously seen. Could this suggest that UNIT had a darkly-coloured beret in the 80s, between the beige of the 70s and the blue of the 90s?

The Sergeant's darkly-coloured beret can be seen on the coat stand behind him

Captain Yates also re-appears in this episode, wearing Service Dress. However, his uniform has no UNIT markings on it (or any regimental markings whatsoever), though he does wear the red lanyard on his right arm.

The Captain Yates apparition wears the red lanyard but no other regimental markings

Though it should be noted that the Yates who appears in this story is merely an apparition engineered to fool the Doctor; any anachronisms with his uniform can easily be explained away if necessary.