15 Facts About Hew Pike

The son of army officer Lieutenant General Sir William Pike, Pike was educated at Winchester College and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and commissioned into The Parachute Regiment as a second lieutenant on 21 December 1962.

Hew Pike served as a platoon commander in Bahrain and saw active service in the Aden Emergency.

Hew Pike was promoted lieutenant on 21 June 1964, and captain on 21 December 1968.

Hew Pike attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1975, was promoted major on 30 June 1975, and was then appointed brigade major of 16th Parachute Brigade.

Hew Pike has surpassed all that would normally be expected for an officer of his rank and age.

Hew Pike was promoted lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1980, and became Commanding Officer of 3PARA.

Hew Pike was still CO when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, triggering the Falklands War.

Hew Pike's men suffered heavy casualties taking the mountain in a battle that lasted from 9pm to 7am the next day.

Hew Pike was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his "cool example and inspiring leadership".

Hew Pike then held staff positions, first with I Corps and then at the School of Infantry.

Hew Pike was promoted colonel on 30 June 1985, and brigadier on 31 December 1987.

Hew Pike was then made Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1 May 1994.

Hew Pike was appointed to the honorary positions of Colonel Commandant of the Small Arms School Corps on 1 April 1992, holding that post until 1 December 1997.

Hew Pike received substantive promotion on 9 September 1995, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1997 New Year Honours.

Hew Pike retired as a lieutenant general on 14 March 2001.