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.