SIR HUMPHREY PRIDEAUX
Sir Humphrey Prideaux who has died aged 98, played a significant role during
the Second World War both as an Armoured Squadron Commander delaying the
German advance across Northern France in 1940 and on the Staff planning for DDay. This marked him out as an outstanding leader and administrator which,
after his transition to civilian life, helped him earn an enviable reputation at
senior level in the commercial world and in the field of education.
Humphrey Povah Treverbian Prideaux was born in London on 13th December
1915, the third son of Walter Treverbian Prideaux who was Clerk of the
Goldsmiths Company. He was educated at St Aubyns, Rottingdean, Eton College
and Trinity College, Oxford. When he came down from Oxford in 1936, he was
commissioned into the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales’ Dragoon Guards). His
first command was a Troop of 40 horses and 35 men who all became his family
and he got to know them intimately. This idyllic existence did not last for long.
The threat of war in Europe meant that the horse needed to be replaced by the
tank and so the trauma of mechanization began.
He returned to England on home leave in 1939. As the declaration of war seemed
imminent, he did not return to his Regiment but was given a role in the Mobile
Division and managed to get married to Cynthia Birch Reynardson. 1940 saw
him back with his Regiment as a Squadron Commander in France where his role
was to delay the German advance whilst the remnants of the Army withdrew
from Dunkirk. These were “difficult days” and his Squadron eventually escaped
from Brest but not before the tanks and other armoured vehicles were driven
into the sea to prevent capture by the enemy – in his words a “depressing task”.
After attending the Staff College at Camberley, he was selected to be one of two
Cavalry Officers to be posted to the Guards Armoured Division since the Guards
knew nothing about Armour. He formed many life-long friendships especially
with a Coldstream Guards Officer, Gerry Feilden, who as the War progressed,
asked for him to join the Staff of HQ 21st Army Group after his tour as an
Instructor at the Staff College. This new appointment reflected his ability as an
administrator and saw him closely involved with the detailed planning for DDay. He returned to the Guards Armoured Division for the remainder of the War
and for which he was Mentioned in Despatches and created an OBE.
His remaining years in the post-War Army was filled by a series of appointments
including attendance at the Naval Staff Course with Prince Philip, Regimental
duty as Second in Command, Commandant of the School of Administration, the
Chiefs of Staff Secretariat and Joint Administrative Planning Staff in the Ministry
of Defence and Principal Staff Officer to the Chairman of the British Military
Mission in the Pentagon, Washington DC.
In 1953, Gerry Feilden, by now retired from the Army and Managing Director of
NAAFI (HM Forces Trading Organisation) invited him to become the Manager of
the Personnel Department. This meant him leaving the Army at a relatively
early age to take up this demanding appointment as NAAFI configured itself to
serve the Forces and their families wherever they might be stationed. This was
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his first experience of dealing with the Trades Unions and negotiating. He soon
discovered, thanks to Alf Allen, the General Secretary of USDAW, that the key to
success was through courtesy coupled with firmness. He considered that his
NAAFI job was the bridge between the Services and commercial life and in time,
he became Managing Director and Chief Executive and Chairman for which he
was Knighted in 1971.
From 1964 -1985 he found himself becoming increasingly involved in other
senior appointments at Board level; Director and President of London Life
Association Ltd, Director and Chairman of Brooke Bond Liebig Ltd (Tea, Chimps
and Oxo), Director and Vice-Chairman of WH Smith & Son Ltd, Director and
Chairman of Morlands and Co (Brewers) and Director of Grindlays Bank Plc. In
all these appointments he earned an enviable reputation for his ability to get on
with people at all levels coupled with an intuitive and calm approach to solving
the problems of organisations which were household names in the 1970s and
1980s.
He was also delighted to be appointed for 6 years as a Commissioner of The
Royal Hospital, Chelsea as he felt he was in a position to do something positive
for those Veterans of the Army in which he had served. The same sentiments
applied to his appointment to the Executive Committee of The Army Benevolent
Fund during which he was Chairman of the Committee for the Centenary Year of
The Royal Tournament.
In 1963, he was invited to become a Trustee of Lord Wandsworth College and
Foundation in Long Sutton, Hampshire and became President of the Sternians’
Association (for alumni of the College) in 1965. He soon became Chairman and
moved home from West Sussex to be nearer the College. His appointment as
Chairman marked the turning point in the life of the College including the
admission of girls for the first time. He was known by everyone from the
Headmaster, Teaching and Administrative Staff down to the youngest pupil.
They were all touched by his knowledge of them, his wisdom, his wise counsel
and his passion for the College and its ethos which he did much to shape. He also
remained as President of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation (a unique position)
until his death – service of over 50 years.
His connection with St Aubyns Preparatory School from 1967 -1990 was a
personal one. He and his brothers, followed by his sons and a multitude of
grandsons, nephews and godchildren were educated there. He was an obvious
choice as a Governor and subsequently as Chairman during a time of great
change.
His love of the countryside and especially horses formed an enormous part of his
life. He was Field Master of the Surrey Union Hunt for many years and then
hunted regularly with the Hampshire Hunt after moving from Sussex. When he
was no longer able to ride, he took up Beagling which he enjoyed very much in
his later years. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire in 1983.
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Sir Humphrey Prideaux is survived by his four sons. His wife pre-deceased him
in 2008.
Sir Humphrey Prideaux born 13th December 1915, died 7th May 2014
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