For Queen and country

One of my boyhood mentors, a sportsman of the old school called David Hopley, wrote an effusive and largely undeserved report about me a long time ago.

I had served for a little over two years in the Life Guards when I was recommended for a commission. I had to present two references to the Regular Commissions Board, one from my commanding officer, the other from a trustworthy civilian.

David was not only a Master of foxhounds and Master of hounds, he was also a vicar, so the ‘trustworthy’ box was ticked in triplicate. His note of approbation that I was of the correct calibre to command men failed to highlight any leadership