Gen. Sir Hugh Charles Stockwell GCB, KBE, DSO* was born in Jersey 16 June 1903, and spent his childhood in India, where his father was stationed as an officer in The Highland Light Infantry. Sir Hugh served for 42 years. He was the Allied Commander at Suez in 1956. He joined joined The Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1923 and served in West Africa between 1929 and 1938. 

In 1931 he was married to Joan Rickman Garrard. They had two daughters.  

Whilst serving in East Africa, Burma and Malaya he quickly gained the reputation of being a 'commando type' soldier and was promoted to a special training school in Scotland. He was also an instructor at The Small Arms School in Netheravon until 1938.

April to May 1940 in the short Norwegian campaign, with the rank of Brigade Major, he was awarded a DSO. He then joined 30 East African Brigade and served with them between 1942-43. He was appointed a CB for his work with 29th Independent Brigade in Burma 1943-45. He commanded the 82nd (West African) Division in 1945, having risen from the rank of Major to major General in under 5 years. 

In 1947 Sir Hugh took over the command of The 6th Airborne Division in Palestine. One of his more challenging tasks was the British evacuation of Palestine at the expiration of the mandate in 1948.

From 1948 for 2 years he was commandant of Sandhurst. He was often see riding around on a small 'Corgi' motorcycle adorned with a '2 Star' labelled number plate. In 1951 he was commander of 'Monty's Ironsides', the Third Infantry Division, in the East Anglian District.

From 1952 to 1954 he was General Officer Commanding, Malaya and was made KCB. For two years till 1956 he was in Germany as commander of the First Corps BAOR. After the Suez operation he was awarded a Bar to his DSO. From 1957 to 1959 he was military secretary to the Secretary of War. He was promoted to general in 1957 and was Adjutant General to the Forces 1959-60 and was appointed a GCB. In 1958 the French gave him the cross of a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.

From 1960 to 1964 he was Deputy Supreme Commander of Europe and was Colonel of the Royal Malay Regiment from 1954 to 1959. He was also Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps from 1957 to 1963 and the Royal Army Educational Corps from 1959 to 1964. For three years till 1962 he was ADC General to The Queen. 

In retirement he was chair of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council. He worked ceaselessly to restore the Kennet and Avon canal. He had a deep love of Britain and the beauty of its countryside.

Sir Hugh passed from away from leukemia at The Princess Alexandra Hospital at RAF Wroughton, near Swindon on 27 November 1986. There was a Service of Thanksgiving held at Westminster Abbey on Friday 20 March 1987 to celebrate his life. The band of The 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers played at this ceremony.