21 Facts About Richard Hull

Field Marshal Sir Richard Amyatt Hull was a senior British Army officer.

Richard Hull was the last Chief of the Imperial General Staff, holding the post from 1961 to 1964, and the first Chief of the General Staff, holding that post until 1965, and, as such, was the professional head of the British Army.

Richard Hull later became Chief of the Defence Staff from 1965 to 1967, the professional head of the entire British Armed Forces.

Richard Amyatt Hull was born in Cosham, Hampshire on 7 May 1907, the son of Major-General Sir Charles Hull, and Muriel Helen Hull, and was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge.

Richard Hull served as adjutant of his regiment when it was converted into a mechanised role and, from 1938 to 1939, he attended the Staff College, Quetta.

Richard Hull remained in this capacity until June 1942 when he became GSO1 of the 1st Canadian Armoured Division, which was redesignated the 5th Canadian Division.

The division's first General Officer Commanding was Major-General John Crocker, passing briefly to Major-General Herbert Lumsden and then Charles Gairdner, before, in May 1942, finally passing to Major-General Charles Keightley, who, like Richard Hull, was a fellow cavalryman.

Elements of the First Army landed in North Africa on 8 November 1942, with Richard Hull's regiment being among them.

Richard Hull then headed towards Medjez el Bab, which was held by the French against the Germans.

Richard Hull's brigade was relieved by the 78th Division's 11th Brigade soon afterwards and, due to its heavy losses, only managed to play a relatively minor role in the First Army's capture of Tunis, which fell on 6 May 1943, the campaign in Tunisia itself coming to an end a week later with the surrender of almost 250,000 Axis troops.

Over a month later, on 19 June Richard Hull returned to the 6th Armoured Division, still commanded by Keightley, where he took over command of the 26th Armoured Brigade from Brigadier Philip Roberts, which was then training in North Africa for operations in Italy, before returning to the United Kingdom, becoming Deputy Director of Staff Duties at the War Office, in December 1943.

Richard Hull remained in this post until August 1944 when, promoted to major-general, he succeeded Major-General Alexander Galloway as GOC of the 1st Armoured Division, then serving on the Italian front, making Richard Hull the youngest divisional commander in the British Army during the Second World War.

However, the surrender of Japan in September 1945 cancelled these plans and Richard Hull remained with the 5th Division on occupation duties in Germany until May 1946.

Richard Hull became chief of staff at headquarters Middle East Land Forces on 26 January 1953.

Richard Hull was appointed GOC British Troops in Egypt on 15 June 1954 and, having been promoted to lieutenant-general on 29 September 1954 and advanced to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours 1956, he became Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff on 5 October 1956.

Richard Hull was appointed Commander-in-Chief Far East Land Forces on 25 June 1958 and, having been promoted to full general on 13 February 1959, and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the Queen's Birthday Honours 1961.

Richard Hull became Chief of the Imperial General Staff on 1 November 1961.

Richard Hull finally retired from the British Army on 5 August 1967.

Richard Hull was appointed Constable of the Tower of London from 1 August 1970, Lord Lieutenant of Devon from 5 October 1978 and a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter on 23 April 1980.

Richard Hull's interests included shooting, fly fishing and gardening; he knew every plant in his garden by their English, Latin and local name.

Richard Hull died of cancer at his home, Beacon Downe in Pinhoe on 17 September 1989, at the age of 82.