Hugh Boustead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Edmond Hugh Boustead
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 April 1895 Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 3 April 1980 (aged 84) Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | British military officer, modern pentathlete, diplomat |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross & Medal bar |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
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| Years of service | 1913–1965 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Colonel Sir John Edmond Hugh Boustead (born April 14, 1895 – died April 3, 1980) was a brave British military officer, an athlete, and a diplomat. He worked in many different countries in the Middle East, even serving as an ambassador in Abu Dhabi from 1961 to 1965.
Hugh Boustead started his career in the Royal Navy. But he soon joined the British Army to fight in World War I. He was very brave and earned two Military Cross medals for his actions. After competing in the 1920 Summer Olympics, he spent time as an explorer. He later became the commander of the Sudan Camel Corps and served through World War II. After the war, he became a diplomat. He wrote a book about his life called The Wind of Morning in 1971. He passed away in Dubai in 1980.
Contents
Early Life and Military Bravery
Hugh Boustead was born in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, on April 14, 1895. His father was a tea planter. Hugh went to Cheam School and then to the Britannia Royal Naval College.
When World War I began, he was a young officer called a midshipman in the Royal Navy. In 1915, he was promoted to acting Sub-Lieutenant. However, he soon left this role to join the Transvaal Scottish Regiment from South Africa. He wanted to fight directly in the trench warfare.
Fighting in World War I
Hugh showed great courage at the Battle of Arras in 1917. He was an intelligence officer, meaning he gathered information about the enemy. He also helped place snipers. His leadership and smart planning helped his team succeed. For his bravery, he received his first Military Cross. This award was officially announced on July 26, 1917.
King George V of the United Kingdom personally gave him the award on August 15, 1917. Hugh then joined the British Indian Army. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918. He later returned to the South African Army.
More Awards for Courage
Hugh earned a second Bar to his Military Cross. This was for his actions on August 25, 1919, at Kardel. He fought alongside the Cossacks against the Bolshevik Red Army. He skillfully used machine guns to help stop several enemy attacks. His example greatly inspired the Russian soldiers he was with. This second award was officially announced on April 23, 1920.
At this time, he was also an instructor for physical training. Because of his amazing bravery and service, his earlier actions of leaving his naval post were forgiven.
A Career of Adventure and Service
Hugh Boustead was not just a soldier; he was also a talented athlete. He was a boxing champion in the lightweight division while in the British army.
Olympic Athlete and Explorer
He was chosen to lead the British team in the modern pentathlon at the 1920 Summer Olympics. This sport includes fencing, swimming, horse riding, shooting, and running. He finished 14th in the competition. This was his only time competing in the Olympics.
After the Olympics, Hugh became a keen explorer. He took part in a British expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1926. He also joined an expedition to Mount Everest in 1933. He organized his own climbing trip in Sikkim. In 1932, he explored the Libyan desert. He also traveled across the icy lands of Greenland.
Leading the Sudan Camel Corps
Hugh continued his military career. He was promoted to captain in 1927. He then worked as a staff officer. In 1931, he was appointed commander of the Sudan Camel Corps. This was a special military unit that used camels. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1934, he received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire award.
In 1935, he left the military to work for the Sudan Political Service. For five years, he served as a District Commissioner in Darfur.
World War II Hero
When World War II started, Hugh rejoined the military. He helped create, train, and lead the Sudanese Frontier Force. As commander of the Camel Corps, he led units that helped bring Emperor Haile Selassie I back to his throne in Ethiopia in 1941.
For his actions during this conflict, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order. He received this important award on December 30, 1941. He was also mentioned in official reports for his bravery. His service in World War II ended in 1946, and he was given the honorary rank of Colonel.
Diplomatic Missions
After the war, Hugh Boustead became a diplomat. He worked in several Middle Eastern countries, including Sudan, Yemen, and Oman. He spent nine years (1949–1958) as an adviser in the Aden Protectorate.
His next job was Development Secretary in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. In 1961, he became the political agent (like an ambassador) for Abu Dhabi. He held this important role until 1965. That year, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He also received the Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring in 1965, Hugh Boustead went on a lecture tour in the United States. He eventually settled in Mezyad in the U.A.E.. There, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan asked him to look after his horses in Al Ain.
In 1971, he published his autobiography, The Wind of Morning. The book was very popular. Besides his knighthood and military awards, he also received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1954. Emperor Haile Selassie also gave him the St George's Military Medal.
Hugh Boustead passed away in Dubai on April 3, 1980, at the age of 84. He never married. After his death, a British Member of Parliament, Richard Luce, said that no one had done more to strengthen the friendship between the British and the Arabs than Hugh Boustead.
See also
- Armathwaite Hall
