RMR Bristol CO Handover
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kedward Takes Command of Royal Marines Reserve Bristol
Press release written by RMR Bristol
Bristol, March 2025 – Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Bristol is proud to announce the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kedward as its new Commanding Officer. A distinguished and rare achievement, Chris’s promotion is a testament to his exceptional service as a Reservist, combining his military career with a full-time career in Avon and Somerset Police, where he spent much of his time in Armed Policing roles.
Royal Marines Reserve Bristol is one of the key units within the Royal Marines Reserve, a part-time, volunteer force that supports the Royal Marines and UK Armed Forces in a variety of operational roles. RMR Bristol recruits and trains individuals from the South West of England, and the unit plays a vital role in assisting with critical national and international operations. Reservists from RMR Bristol have been involved in numerous operations, including humanitarian missions, counter-terrorism efforts, and military exercises, providing valuable support to both the regular armed forces and civil authorities.
Chris Kedward’s journey with the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) began in 1998, when he joined the Bristol Detachment, balancing his Reserve service with his policing career. His early years as a Reservist were marked by a commitment to operational excellence, including his first mobilisation in 2003 for Operation TELIC. He was selected to join the Sniper Section of L Coy, 42 Commando, before returning to the UK and commissioning as an officer in 2004.
His dedication and leadership were evident in his subsequent roles, including as Officer Commanding (OC) of Bristol Detachment and later the Cardiff Detachment. In 2006, Chris was deployed to Afghanistan as OC of a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) Training and Mentoring Team with the UK Leadership Training Team at the Kabul Military Training Centre.
Upon his return, Chris’s career continued to soar. In 2014, he was promoted to Major and appointed as 2IC (Second in Command) of RMR Bristol. His leadership experience was further tested and refined through two deployments as OC of Military Support Teams on Joint Counter Terrorist Training and Advisory Team (JCTTAT) missions, where he combined his military experience with his expertise in leading the South West Police Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO) Team. These missions saw him training and mentoring military and police forces in East Africa and South Asia.
After retiring from the police in 2022, Chris dedicated more time to his Reservist career, further solidifying his leadership role within the Royal Marines Reserve. In 2023, he was elected as Vice-Chair of the Board of Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA), a role that has allowed him to have a broader impact on the Reserves community.
Reflecting on his appointment as Commanding Officer, Chris shared: “I am both delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to lead RMR Bristol in a role normally held by regular Lt Cols and to be the first career reservist to be Commanding Officer since the one who was in post when I joined the RMR 27 years ago.”
Chris’s appointment as Commanding Officer is an especially rare achievement in the Royal Marines Reserve, given the unique combination of operational experience and leadership required to reach this level. His success exemplifies the possibilities for those who serve in the Reserves while balancing a civilian career, demonstrating the invaluable skillset that Reservists bring to both the military and civilian sectors.
Under Chris’s leadership, RMR Bristol will continue to build upon its distinguished history, ensuring the unit remains a vital component of the Royal Marines Reserve’s role in supporting national defence and providing a ready, skilled, and resilient force. With the added experience of its new Commanding Officer, the unit is poised to enhance its operational capabilities and the development of its personnel.
Chris’s appointment as Commanding Officer is a proud moment for the Royal Marines Reserve and a shining example of the dedication, skill, and resilience that Reservists bring to the Armed Forces.
