THE MAN in charge of the largest military base in Western Europe is to leave his post in the New Year as retires from the Army.

After spending 35 years as a regular soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Steed is to step down as the Commander of Catterick Garrison military base, the home to 12,000 soldiers and 8,000 dependant families.

Joining the army in 1982, L/Col Steed was commissioned into the Staffordshire Regiment, posted to Gibraltar and subsequently Germany, Northern Ireland and Hong Kong. In addition to several UK appointments he has served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was mentioned in dispatches during the 1991 Gulf War. Prior to his last appointment he was Senior Military Advisor to the officer in charge of the 20,000 UN Forces in the Congo. Appointed Commander of Catterick Garrison in October 2015, L/Col Steed said: “Working with the many different agencies here in North Yorkshire has been a real pleasure. There is real warmth about the people. “I shall miss being part of the army family and the many friendships I have made along with interesting work I have been a part of over the years; particularly recently in the Congo.

“Also the brand of humour, which is different to anything outside the military where you see humour in diversity.

“Today's army is different to the one I joined. I believe it is better in many ways; however it still has the same dedication, commitment to service and comradeship it is always had.

“The demands on it are greater than it ever was, with much more pressure on the men and women, who are the best of all people.”

L Col Steed hopes to find a suitable job possibly with the NGO or similar organisation. He, his wife Jane along with their five children will continue live in North Yorkshire.

Major Joe Jordan of the locally-based Light Dragoons will be promoted lieutenant colonel and take over the role of Garrison Commander in February.