Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Ismay KG GCB CH DSO PC DL
Ismay in 1945

1st Secretary General of NATO
In office 24 March 1952 – 16 May 1957
Preceded by	Post created
Succeeded by	Paul-Henri Spaak
Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations
In office 28 October 1951 – 12 March 1952
Prime Minister	Winston Churchill
Preceded by	Patrick Gordon Walker
Succeeded by	The Marquess of Salisbury
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 6 February 1947 – 17 December 1965 Hereditary peerage
Preceded by	Peerage created
Succeeded by	Peerage extinct

Personal details
Born	Hastings Lionel Ismay (1887-06-21)21 June 1887 Nainital, North-Western Provinces, British India (now Nainital, Uttarakhand, India)
Died	17 December 1965(1965-12-17) (aged 78) Wormington Grange, Stanton, Gloucestershire, England
Spouse	Laura Kathleen Clegg
Parents	Stanley Ismay Beatrice Read
Nickname	Pug
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Indian Army British Army
Years of service	1905–1946
Rank	General
Battles/wars	First World War Second World War
Awards	Knight of the Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Order of the Companions of Honour Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches

Hastings Lionel Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay (born June 21, 1887 – died December 17, 1965) was an important British general and diplomat. People often called him "Pug." He is best known for being the first Secretary General of NATO. He also worked closely with Winston Churchill during World War II.

Ismay was born in Nainital, India. He went to school in the United Kingdom. He joined the British Indian Army as an officer.

Early Life and Military Career

Hastings Ismay was born in India in 1887. His father was a government official. Ismay went to Charterhouse School in Britain. He then studied at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This college trained future army officers.

Joining the Indian Army

After Sandhurst, Ismay became a second lieutenant. He joined the British Indian Army. He first served with the Gloucestershire Regiment. Later, he found a permanent spot in the Indian cavalry. He joined the 21st Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry.

In 1908, Ismay saw his first military action. His regiment went to Afghanistan. They were chasing raiders who had taken hostages. Ismay received a medal for his service. In 1910, he became the adjutant of his regiment. This meant he helped manage the unit.

Service in Somaliland

In 1914, Ismay joined the Somaliland Camel Corps. This was a cavalry unit in British Somaliland. He arrived just as World War I began in Europe. Ismay wanted to fight in Europe. However, his leaders kept him in Somaliland. They felt he was too important there.

Fighting the "Mad Mullah"

In Somaliland, British soldiers fought against Sayyid Hassan. He was known as the "Mad Mullah." He had been fighting the British for over twenty years. Ismay's unit attacked Hassan's fortress. Ismay fought alongside Adrian Carton de Wiart. Later, London ordered British forces to limit their attacks.

By 1918, Hassan's forces were weaker. In 1919, a new plan was approved. On January 21, 1920, the attack began. Ismay led an assault on Hassan's fortress. His forces were pushed back at first. But Hassan and his men soon fled.

Ismay chased Hassan for almost two weeks. He captured many of Hassan's family members. Hassan himself escaped. However, his power was broken. He died later that year. For his bravery, Ismay received the Distinguished Service Order.

Between the World Wars

After Somaliland, Ismay returned to England. He decided to stay in the army. In 1921, he passed an exam. This earned him a spot at the Staff College in Quetta, India. He did very well there.

Marriage and Work in India

While on leave, Ismay met Laura Kathleen Clegg. They quickly fell in love and got married. They later had three daughters.

After Staff College, Ismay worked for the Indian Army. He was a Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General. He worked with Claude Auchinleck. Ismay found the work valuable.

Working in England

In 1924, Ismay studied at the RAF Staff College, Andover in England. After this, he became an Assistant Secretary. This was for the Committee of Imperial Defence (CID). He started this job in 1925.

As Assistant Secretary, Ismay managed several subcommittees. He helped plan for future wars. He made sure all government departments were ready. This work gave him great insight into how the government worked. He also made important friends.

In 1930, Ismay left the CID. He was promoted to colonel. He then became the military secretary for Lord Willingdon. Willingdon was the Governor-General of India. Ismay helped manage Willingdon's staff and trips. He also looked after Willingdon's safety.

After India, Ismay worked in the War Office. He was an intelligence officer. He focused on areas like the Middle East and the Soviet Union. He enjoyed this work very much.

Preparing for World War II

In 1936, Ismay returned to the CID. He became the Deputy Secretary. He was expected to take over as Secretary. This job meant he would likely not command troops again. But he saw it as a big opportunity.

As Deputy Secretary, Ismay had many duties. He planned for a war that seemed very close. He focused on air defenses. He also made sure different military branches worked together.

In 1938, Ismay became the Secretary of the CID. This was just over a year before World War II started. He immediately began preparing for war. He even ordered trenches to be dug in London. This was for protection against air attacks.

World War II Service

When World War II began, the CID became part of the War Cabinet. Ismay was promoted to major-general. He started working closely with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Working with Winston Churchill

In May 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. He also became Minister of Defence. Churchill chose Ismay as his chief military assistant. Ismay also joined the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Ismay was thrilled to work with Churchill. He called him "the greatest War Prime Minister."

Ismay and Churchill became very close. Churchill relied heavily on Ismay. Ismay was the main link between Churchill and the military leaders. He helped run the war effort smoothly. He was known for his "tact, patience, and skill."

Ismay handled almost all military messages from Churchill. He also gave Churchill advice on military matters. If military leaders disagreed with Churchill, Ismay would help them find a solution.

Attending Allied Conferences

As Churchill's main military advisor, Ismay often went to wartime conferences. These were meetings with leaders from other Allied countries. His travels began in 1941. He went to the first Moscow Conference. He worked closely with American officials there. He found them very friendly.

Ismay continued to work with the Americans. He went with Churchill to the United States in 1942. Later, US General Dwight D. Eisenhower came to Britain. Ismay helped Eisenhower work with British forces. Eisenhower thought highly of Ismay. He said Ismay's contributions were as important as those of famous generals.

In August 1942, Ismay was promoted to lieutenant-general. His good relationships with the Americans were noticed.

Key Conferences of 1943

In January 1943, Ismay went to the Casablanca Conference with Churchill. He helped the Americans and British agree on important issues. He also helped write the conference report.

After Casablanca, Ismay went to the third Washington Conference in May 1943. There, he met American Admiral William D. Leahy. They became good friends. Leahy said Ismay was his favorite.

Next was the Quebec Conference in August 1943. Here, Allied leaders discussed Operation Overlord. This was the plan for the D-Day landings. Ismay spent a lot of time explaining the details.

Soon after, Ismay went to the Moscow Conference in October. He was a top military advisor. He answered Soviet questions about Operation Overlord. He also met Joseph Stalin for the first time.

Just days later, Ismay left for the Cairo Conference and Teheran Conference. He helped argue for Operation Overlord. After these busy conferences, he became ill and returned to England.

Final Years of the War (1944–1945)

In early 1944, Ismay focused on planning for the Normandy Landings. He helped coordinate plans to trick the Germans. These plans were called Operation Bodyguard and Operation Fortitude.

On May 20, 1944, Ismay was promoted to full general. After the successful D-Day landings, King George VI visited the troops. Ismay went with him. He also joined Churchill on trips to Moscow and Paris in late 1944.

In February 1945, Ismay attended the Yalta Conference. At this meeting, political issues were more important than military ones. Ismay felt there was less for him to do.

On Victory in Europe Day, Ismay was happy but also worried. He thought about the threat from Japan and the Soviet Union. He was one of only three men to hold the same high government job throughout the war in Europe.

After the War

After the war in Europe ended, Ismay went to the Potsdam Conference. He stayed in his job even after Churchill lost the election. He worked with the new Prime Minister, Clement Attlee. Ismay and Churchill remained friends. Ismay even helped Churchill write his memoirs.

After the war with Japan ended, Ismay wanted to retire. But Attlee asked him to stay for another year. Ismay worked on reforming the Ministry of Defence. He became known as the "chief architect" of the new ministry.

Ismay received many honors for his service. He was given the Order of the Companions of Honour. The United States gave him the Legion of Merit. He was also made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

In November 1946, Ismay decided to retire. He was made a baron in 1947. He took the title Baron Ismay and joined the House of Lords.

Helping with India's Independence

Soon after retiring, Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma became the last British Governor-General of India. Ismay offered to be his chief of staff. In March 1947, Ismay went to India. He helped with India's move to independence.

Ismay quickly saw that India was in a difficult situation. He realized that the Muslim League wanted a separate country called Pakistan. Mountbatten agreed. They started planning for the partition.

Ismay went back to London to present the plan. He explained that dividing India was the only choice. He helped change the plan based on the government's ideas. He then returned to India.

Ismay also worked on dividing the Indian Army. He tried to keep the army together. But his efforts failed. He also visited Kashmir. He asked its leader to hold a vote. This vote would decide if Kashmir joined India or Pakistan. But the leader avoided the topic. Ismay left India in December 1947.

Festival of Britain

In 1948, Prime Minister Attlee asked Ismay to lead the council for the Festival of Britain. This big event was planned for 1951. Ismay accepted the job.

Ismay helped make sure the festival was for the whole country. He brought together mayors from all over Britain. He also defended the festival's high cost. He said it would make history. When the festival opened, Ismay hosted important guests.

Secretary of State and NATO Leader

In 1951, Churchill became Prime Minister again. He asked Ismay to be the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. Ismay was very happy to work with Churchill again. He accepted the job right away.

Because of his military background, Ismay was involved in defense matters. He started working with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1952, he went to a NATO meeting in Lisbon. He joked that he hoped it would be his last NATO meeting.

First NATO Secretary General

At the Lisbon meeting, NATO decided to create a new role. This was the Secretary General. This person would lead NATO's staff. The job was first offered to someone else. But that person said no.

Two weeks later, NATO members asked Ismay to take the job. Churchill and Anthony Eden suggested him. Ismay first said no. He thought NATO was too complicated. But Churchill convinced him. He told Ismay that NATO was the best hope for peace. Ismay finally agreed.

On March 12, 1952, Ismay was officially appointed. He started work on March 24. Everyone supported his appointment. Newspapers praised his experience and energy.

As the first Secretary General, Ismay helped define the role. He worked to make NATO's permanent representatives more powerful. He also supported NATO growing bigger. He said NATO "must grow until the whole free world gets under one umbrella."

However, he opposed the Soviet Union joining NATO in 1954. He said it was like a burglar wanting to join the police. This showed that NATO was against the Soviet Union. Ismay also encouraged NATO members to work together more closely. He offered to help solve problems between them.

In December 1956, Ismay decided to retire from NATO. He felt the job needed a new leader. Paul-Henri Spaak was chosen as his replacement. Ismay stayed until May 1957. He left with the respect of all NATO members. Ismay is famous for saying that NATO's purpose was "to keep the Soviet Union out, the Americans in, and the Germans down." This phrase explains NATO's goals simply.

Retirement Years

After leaving NATO, Ismay received another honor. Queen Elizabeth II appointed him to the Order of the Garter.

He joined the boards of several companies. Ismay also wrote his memoirs. They were called The Memoirs of General Lord Ismay. They were published in 1960. The book focused on his World War II service.

In 1963, Ismay helped review the British military's organization. He was ill, but his ideas were very important. The review suggested making the Ministry of Defence stronger. Parliament followed these ideas in 1964.

Hastings Ismay died on December 17, 1965. He was 78 years old. He died at his home in Gloucestershire. He had no sons, so his title as Baron Ismay ended.

Images for kids

Lord Ismay's Coat of Arms