THERE'S not much that phases Andrew Ridgway after commanding the Desert Rats and leading the United Nations' forces in central Bosnia during the Balkans conflict.

His prestigious military career also saw him regularly brief the Defence Minister and Prime Minister, then Tony Blair, on intelligence issues, and run the British army's budget.

But one battle he can't seem to win is avoiding attacks from his collection of bees. Since taking over as the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey three years ago, Andrew has developed a passion for beekeeping.

Compared to his previous roles the risk factor seemed minimal, but this week the 59-year-old is nursing a swollen cheek having had a nasty sting on his eyelid a month ago.

Not surprisingly, Andrew is currently deciding whether beekeeping is for him, but one thing he is not questioning is what he will do when his post as the Queen's representative on the island comes to an end in two years' time.

"I'm looking forward to coming back to Exeter as I consider myself an Exeter boy," he revealed.

Although Andrew was born in Teddington, Middlesex, his parents lived in Exeter and he returned to the city when he was only a week old. It remained home for the next 18 years, and Andrew went to St Sidwell's Primary School and Hele's School, before joining the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

How he came to the join the military is a question Andrew is often asked.

"I'm not certain, but the person I think had the most influence was Jack Harrison, a teacher at Hele's School," recalled Andrew.

"He was a colonel in the Territorial Army and he certainly inspired me.

"I was in the army for 38 years and loved every day of it. You worry about whatever you are doing at the time and that was the same all along.

"But the beauty of an army career is you're given endless different challenges and that was enormous fun.

"I was very lucky in my choice of regiment, the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. They were a fantastic crowd. I spent my early years at the height of the Cold War on the East German border preparing to repel the Soviets. It all seemed very real then.

"Another significant period was when I was sent off to fly with the 1st Royal Tank Regiment Air Squadron and was put in command after qualifying as a helicopter pilot.

"I commanded and controlled an army in the jungle. Because of the temperature and the height we had to fly at, using the helicopter of the day, it would barely stay airborne.

"I used all my nine lives while I was there but it was a good time."

After three years, Andrew took command of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, the Westcountry's own armoured regiment, also known by the nickname Armoured Farmers.

Andrew was its last commanding officer because it was amalgamated at the end of the Cold War.

The next role for Andrew was taking command of the 7th Armoured Brigade, better known as the Desert Rats, in central Bosnia.

Andrew, a father of four children, two of whom have served in Iraq, recalled: "That was a very exciting time in the Bosnian War. It was an extraordinary period spent standing between warring factions and trying to keep them apart.

"We had some interesting times such as Operation Lifeline to open the main road to Sarajevo and establishing freedom of movement in Mostar.

"When you're there you take it for granted a bit that you will be okay. Everyone just gets on with it. You always think it's going to happen to someone else and that's what gets you through."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Kosovo War and Andrew's appointment as Chief of Staff for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps for Nato's entry into the country.

The appointment came after previously proving himself as UN commander in central Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Recalling the day the Kosovo War broke out, Andrew said: "We didn't know whether the Serbs would fight, if it was a trap or if irregular forces would oppose us, but it went pretty well.

"We worked around the clock to get it right. I remember the night before distinctly because three minutes after falling asleep I was woken at 11.53pm by a call from America saying we had to cancel the operation which was due to start at 6am. It was a political decision from the top to put it off.

"We decided we would take no action and we were waiting until about 4am when the call came that it was back on."

Andrew had decided to leave the army to take over a premier division football club, despite admitting knowing nothing about the sport, but he was offered a job he couldn't refuse in 2003 — Chief of Defence Intelligence.

"It was the most terrific job I have ever had," he said. "I got to travel the world and got involved in all sorts of interesting activities and very interesting times.

"I took over halfway through the Iraq war when it was at its height. The big issue was weapons of mass destruction.

"I did not write the intelligence reports that led to the invasion of Iraq, but I have absolutely no doubt it was based on what people genuinely thought.

"The fact it was a massive failing of intelligence analysis is one thing, but it was not fabricated.

"I was interviewed during the Lord Butler inquiry and asked if anyone in my organisation didn't believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Nobody on the planet didn't believe that."

Although the job is one Andrew can't match, a good second best was being appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey in 2006.

It is largely a ceremonial role, but has also enabled Andrew to make his mark such as establishing a successful bobsleigh team — his favourite sport.

He lives on the Channel Island with his wife, Valerie, who has moved with him more than 20 times, but retirement is far from imminent.

"Offers seems to arise at the right time," he concluded.