Peter Ramsbotham
Peter Edward Ramsbotham, 3rd Viscount Soulbury GCMG GCVO DL (8 October 1919 – 9 April 2010) was a British diplomat and colonial administrator.
Early life
Ramsbotham was educated at Eton College and at Magdalen College, Oxford.
World War II
He was already working for MI5 as a civilian when he joined the army on the outbreak of the Second World War. In April 1941, Ramsbotham was working in B3 Division of MI5 (Communications) with the task of studying the activities of foreign journalists in the UK. In July he was with B3A (Censorship) before moving to E3 (Alien Control – USA citizens in the UK and other territories). By 1943 he was with E2 Division dealing with nationals from the Baltic states, the Balkans and Central Europe. In June 1943, he left MI5 and was later commissioned into the Intelligence Corps on 9 June 1944. As a fluent speaker in French, he continued to work with MI5 on the Continent as a member of 106 Special Counter Intelligence Unit (SCIU), running double agents and acting as a liaison officer to the counter-espionage section of the French Intelligence Service. He also reported to the '212' Committee', the Allied equivalent of MI5's 'XX Committee' ('Double Cross Committee'). At the close of hostilities, he was employed in the Political Division of the Control Commissions for both Germany and Austria and served also in Hamburg and Berlin. In recognition of his exemplary service during the war, he received a Mention in Despatches in August 1945 and was awarded a Croix de Guerre on 1 March 1949 (en bloc).
Diplomatic Service
In 1948, Ramsbotham joined the diplomatic service on the advice of his superior, Sir Christopher Steel.[1] He failed the Foreign Office exam on his first attempt, due to poor mathematical skill, but passed six months later after some coaching.[1] His first position was in the German Department of the Foreign Office in London.[1]
He rose to the level of ambassador. His posts included Ambassador to Iran (1971–1974), Ambassador to the United States (1974–1977).
Ramsbotham was removed from his position as Ambassador to the United States by incoming Foreign Secretary David Owen. Owen controversially replaced him with Peter Jay, who was economics editor of The Times, the son-in-law of Prime Minister James Callaghan and Owen's personal friend.[1]
Governor
Ramsbotham's final posting was as Governor of Bermuda (1977–1980).
Honours and title
He was appointed Companion (CMG) of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1964, promoted to Knight Commander (KCMG) in 1972 (whereupon he was bestowed the honorific title 'Sir') and promoted again to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1978. In 1976, he was appointed Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) of the Royal Victorian Order as well as Knight (KStJ) of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem. He inherited the title of Viscount Soulbury from his elder brother in 2004 but continued to be known as Sir Peter Ramsbotham.
Family
His first marriage was to Frances Marie Massie Blomfield. They were married on 30 August 1941 and their marriage ended with her death in 1982. His second marriage was to Dr Zaida Mary Hall, née Megrah, in 1985 (died 17 March 2013). He died in New Alresford, Hampshire on 9 April 2010.
References
- Who's Who 2009
- "Sir Peter Ramsbotham (obituary)". Daily Telegraph. 9 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d Childs, Martin (21 April 2010). "Sir Peter Ramsbotham: Diplomat who served as Ambassador to Washington before being controversially replaced by Peter Jay". The Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
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- 1919 births
- 2010 deaths
- People educated at Eton College
- Alumni of Magdalen College, Oxford
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Iran
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to the United States
- British Army personnel of World War II
- British diplomats
- Deputy Lieutenants of Hampshire
- Governors of Bermuda
- High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to Cyprus
- Intelligence Corps officers
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knights of the Order of St John
- MI5 personnel
- Recipients of the Croix de guerre (France)
- Viscounts in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
- Younger sons of viscounts
- Children of national leaders