Possible Clues:

• Despite his rank, one might get him to dig a brier
• Gerard, winner with military precision
• Officer gets a rough ride from Yankee jail
• Rank above colonel
• High-ranking army officer
• Officer in charge of army unit, part of division
• Prickly shrub about to ramble, one becoming rank
• Capital city to suffer loss of life when captured by British officer
• Army officer organised air bridge
• Officer support for late individual carrying kit to attend active duty