Top female general becomes the FIRST ever woman to serve as deputy head of the Army

A TOP female general has made history as the first woman to serve as deputy head of the Army.

Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, 51, is also the only female to reach the three-star rank.

When she joined the Army in 1992, women were still banned from combat jobs.

The Balkans and Iraq war veteran said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army.”

The former Signals officer vowed to press on with the Army’s “bold modernisation agenda”.

She added: “I am excited to be playing my part in leading the Army’s mobilisation to meet today’s threats, and the delivery of our Future Soldier’s bold modernisation agenda.”

The Queen approved her promotion in April and she took up her post yesterday.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “She brings extensive experience and new ideas to drive the Army’s transformation and deal with emerging threats across the world.”

Lt Gen Nesmith, a mother of two, was the first female brigade commander and led Army recruiting in her previous role as a general officer commanding.

Air Marshal Dame Sue Gray reached an equivalent rank in the RAF in 2019.