Peter Ramsbotham

The Right Honourable
The Viscount Soulbury
GCMG GCVO DL
Governor of Bermuda
In office
1977–1980
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by Edwin Leather
Succeeded by Richard Posnett
British Ambassador to the
United States
In office
1974–1977
President Gerald Ford
Prime Minister Harold Wilson, James Callaghan
Preceded by Rowland Baring
Succeeded by Peter Jay
British Ambassador to
Iran
In office
1971–1973
Prime Minister Edward Heath
Preceded by Denis Wright
Succeeded by Anthony Parsons
British High Commissioner to
Cyprus
In office
1969–1971
Prime Minister Edward Heath, Harold Wilson
Preceded by Norman Costar
Succeeded by Robert Humphrey Edmonds
Personal details
Born (1919-10-08)8 October 1919
London, United Kingdom
Died 9 April 2010(2010-04-09) (aged 90)
New Alresford, Hampshire
Spouse(s) Frances Marie Massie Blomfield (died 1982)
Zaida Mary Hall
Children 3
Alma mater Magdalen College, Oxford
Awards Mention in Despatches
Croix de Guerre
Military service
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1942–1948
Rank Lieutenant colonel
Unit Intelligence Corps
Battles/wars World War II

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 Mrs (Dr) Zaida Mary Hall, née Megrah, in 1985 (died 17 March 2013). He died in New Alresford, Hampshire on 9 April 2010.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 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

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Peter Edward Ramsbotham
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Sir Norman Costar
British High Commissioner to Cyprus
1969–1971
Succeeded by
Robert Humphrey Edmonds
Preceded by
Sir Denis Wright
British Ambassador to Iran
1971–1973
Succeeded by
Sir Anthony Parsons
Preceded by
The Earl of Cromer
British Ambassador to the United States
1974–1977
Succeeded by
Peter Jay
Government offices
Preceded by
Sir Edwin Leather
Governor of Bermuda
1977–1980
Succeeded by
Sir Richard Posnett
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
James Ramsbotham
Viscount Soulbury
2004–2010
Succeeded by
Oliver Peter Ramsbotham
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