General Dame Sharon Nesmith: A Historic First for the British Army

British ArmyBritish GeneralVice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Written By RORY LEWIS

General Dame Sharon Patricia Nesmith, DCB, ADC Gen (Rory Lewis Photographer 2023)

In June 2024, General Dame Sharon Patricia Moffat Nesmith, DCB, ADC Gen, became the first woman in the British Army to be promoted to the rank of General. Today, she serves as Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, making history as the highest-ranking female officer in the British Armed Forces.

I had the honour of capturing her portrait at Knightsbridge Barracks, during a session with The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, for my nonprofit Heroes in Focus. Her image now joins our growing archive dedicated to documenting the faces and stories of those who serve — preserving not only history, but humanity.

Born in Northumberland in 1970, Nesmith’s career has been defined by pioneering achievements. After studying biological sciences at the University of Edinburgh under an Army cadetship, she was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1991. Her service took her to the Balkans, Iraq, and Latvia, and she advanced through every level of command with distinction.

She became the first woman to command a brigade in 2014 (1st Signal Brigade), the first woman to lead a division-level formation in 2021, the first female lieutenant general in 2022, and, finally, the first woman to achieve the rank of general in 2024. In recognition of her career, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB)in the 2024 New Year Honours and now serves as an aide-de-camp general to King Charles III.

General Nesmith’s portrait for Heroes in Focus is more than an image — it is part of a living record of military leadership at a time of change. Her legacy reflects progress, resilience, and the breaking of barriers that once seemed immovable.

RORY LEWIS

Winner of the Portrait of Britain in 2017 and 2018. Lewis is a dedicated portrait photographer who has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sitters have included the likes of William Shatner, David Cameron, Sir Derek Jacobi, Iain Glen and Natalie Dormer. Rory’s images have been exhibited on both sides of the Atlantic, and several of his iconic portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London. His recent project, ‘Soldiery’, which documented the British Army of the 21st Century, was completed over a two year period and has been hailed as a national success story, named by the BBC as ‘The changing face of the British Army’. Rory divides his time between London and Los Angeles, working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, the British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK, among others. Rory draws immense inspiration from the masters of art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera.

http://www.rorylewis.studio
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Honoring Service: Portraits at the National Defense University