#453, Charles Jocelyn HAMBRO

An eldest son who was educated at Eton where he played cricket for the Eton XI in 1914 going on to captain the team in 1915.

He was commissioned a Lieutenant and promoted Captain in the Coldstream Guards serving in France, 1916 to 1918 during which he lost a leg. He won his MC at Passchendaele, on 26th September 1917. The citation read "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Accompanied by a private, he crossed to the enemy's side of a canal and rescued two wounded men, one of whom was unable to walk, from close under the enemy's parapet. Later in the day, he went forward in charge of the leading patrol of an advance, personally accounting for four of the enemy with his revolver and capturing several prisoners with his party. On reaching his objective, he sent back correct and valuable information, and at all times displayed the utmost coolness and gallantry."

He was a Knight Commander, Order of Dannebrog (Denmark), a Commander, Order of Vasa of Sweden, a holder of the US Legion of Merit, a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Olav of Norway and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) awarded in 1941.

In 1928 he became a Director of the Bank of England, (at the time, the youngest Director ever appointed), a post which he held until his death. In 1930 he was appointed to the board of the Great Western Railway becoming Deputy Chair in 1934 and Chair from 1940 to 1945 when he reverted to being a director until nationalisation in 1948. Not surprisingly, he chaired the Finance Committee.

Charles was Sheriff of the County of London in 1933 and High Sheriff in 1956

His business acumen and first World War experience will have served him well when he was Executive Chief of the Special Operations Executive, 1942 to 43.

He was brought up at Pickhurst Mead in Kent but later lived at Delcombe Manor, Milton Abbey and Dixton Manor, Gotherington, Gloucastershire.

June 2011, updated August 2018.

“Our picture shows Sir Charles’ second marriage.”