Colin Mitchell

Colin Campbell Mitchell
Colin Mitchell c.1967
Member of Parliament for Aberdeenshire West
In office 18 June 1970 – 8 February 1974
Preceded by	James Davidson
Succeeded by	Sir Russell Fairgrieve
Personal details
Born	17 November 1925 Croydon, Surrey, England
Died	20 July 1996 (aged 70) Westminster, London, England
Nickname	Mad Mitch
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1943–1968
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Commands	1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Battles/wars	World War II Palestine Emergency Korean War Cyprus Emergency Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Aden Emergency

Colin Campbell Mitchell (17 November 1925 – 20 July 1996) was a British Army soldier and politician. He became a public figure in 1967 as the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Forces under his command reoccupied the Crater district of Aden which had been taken over by local police mutineers in what became known as "the last battle of the British empire". The reoccupation and subsequent control of the Crater were controversial and Mitchell resigned his army commission in 1968. Subsequently, he became a Conservative Member of Parliament and served one term from 1970 to February 1974. After participation in a failed business venture he subsequently worked as a security and military consultant. In 1989 Mitchell took a leading role in the Halo Trust, a not-for-profit organisation undertaking mine clearance in former war zones.