David Ratford

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Wikipedia

Sir David Ratford
KCMG CVO
British Ambassador to Norway
In office
1990–1994
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir John Robson
Succeeded byMark Elliott
Personal details
BornDavid John Edward Ratford
(1934-04-22)22 April 1934
Died2 October 2025(2025-10-02) (aged 91)
Alma materSelwyn College, Cambridge

Sir David John Edward Ratford KCMG CVO (22 April 1934 – 2 October 2025) was a British diplomat and translator.

Early life

David John Edward Ratford was born on 22 April 1934 to George Ratford and Lilian Ratford (née Jones).[1]

Ratford was educated at Whitgift Middle School. Ratford attended Selwyn College, Cambridge, graduating with a 1st class Honours degree in Medieval and Modern Languages.[1]

Diplomatic career

Ratford completed his national service in the Intelligence Corps from 1953 to 1955.[1]

Ambassador to Norway

Ratford was appointed the British Ambassador to Norway in 1990, succeeding Sir John Robson.

He left this appointment in 1994.

Retirement

In April 2004, Ratford signed an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, expressing concern over Blair's policy on the Arab-Israel conflict and the Iraq war.[2]

In December 2004, Ratford signed a further open letter, urging Blair to commission an independent inquiry into the number of civilian casualties in Iraq since the invasion.[3]

Personal life and death

Ratford married Ulla Monica in 1960.[1] He died on 2 October 2025, at the age of 91.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ratford, Sir David (John Edward)". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2019. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ↑ "Doomed to failure in the Middle East". The Guardian. 27 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Text of letter to Tony Blair". BBC News. 8 December 2004. Archived from the original on 1 December 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sir David Ratford KCMG". The Times. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.