John Keith Bousfield facts for kids

John Keith Bousfield was a brave British army officer who also became a successful business leader. He was known for being the general manager of the Asiatic Petroleum Company. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, which is like a government council that helps make laws. He was born on November 17, 1893, and passed away on October 29, 1945. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

Who Was John Keith Bousfield?

John Keith Bousfield was born in 1893. His father was William Robert Bousfield, a well-known lawyer and a Member of Parliament. This means his father helped make laws for the country.

Early Life and Education

John went to a famous school called Rugby School in Warwickshire, England. After that, he studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, which is part of the famous University of Cambridge. Getting such a good education prepared him for a successful life.

A Hero in World War I

When World War I started in 1914, John joined the army. He became an officer in the Royal Engineers, a special part of the army that builds things. In 1915, he went to France to fight.

In 1917, he became an observer with 57 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. This was the early air force. He flew planes over German lines to gather information. On April 6, 1917, his plane was shot down. He was captured and became a prisoner of war.

John was held in several prison camps in Germany. These included Karlsruhe, Krefeld, Ströhen, and later Holzminden prisoner-of-war camp. But John was determined to escape!

The Great Escape

At the Holzminden camp, John and 28 other officers worked for 10 months to dig a secret tunnel. On July 24, 1918, they finally escaped through it. John managed to reach the border of the Netherlands, which was a neutral country. From there, he made his way back to England.

For his brave work flying over enemy lines during the Battle of Somme in 1916, he received the Military Cross. This is a very important award for bravery in battle. King George V himself gave him the medal at Windsor Castle.

Life After the War

After the war, John Keith Bousfield became a successful businessman. He became the general manager of the Asiatic Petroleum Company. He also managed the company's South China branch.

In 1939, he was chosen to be a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. This council helps to govern Hong Kong. He represented the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, which looks after the interests of businesses in Hong Kong. He later became the chairman of this important business group in 1940.