Peter Ramsbotham

Peter Edward Ramsbotham, 3rd Viscount Soulbury GCMG GCVO KStJ DL (8 October 1919 – 9 April 2010) was a British diplomat and colonial administrator.

The Right Honourable The Viscount Soulbury GCMG GCVO KStJ 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
Monarch	Elizabeth II
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
Parent	Herwald Ramsbotham, 1st Viscount Soulbury (father)
Alma mater	Magdalen College, Oxford
Awards	Mention in Despatches Croix de Guerre
Military service
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1942–1948
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Unit	Intelligence Corps
Battles/wars	World War II

Early life

Born in London, Ramsbotham was the younger son of Herwald Ramsbotham, later the 1st Viscount Soulbury. He was educated at Eton College and at Magdalen College, Oxford. At Oxford he contracted polio in 1938, which left him with a slightly shorter right leg.

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. He failed the Foreign Office exam on his first attempt, due to poor mathematical skill, but passed six months later after some coaching. His first position was in the German Department of the Foreign Office in London.

His posts included High Commissioner to Cyprus (1969–1971) Ambassador to Iran (1971–1974) and Ambassador to the United States (1974–1977). He had a close relationship with Jimmy Carter, and was the first ambassador Carter invited to the White House.

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.

Governor

Ramsbotham's final posting was as Governor of Bermuda (1977–1980). During his governorship, the two assassins of Sir Richard Sharples, the former governor, were hanged. The executions were followed by extensive rioting, as a result of which troops had to be sent to Bermuda to restore order.

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

References

• Who's Who 2009
• "Sir Peter Ramsbotham (obituary)". Daily Telegraph. 9 April 2010.

External links

• Interview with Hon Sir Peter Ramsbotham & transcript, British Diplomatic Oral History Programme, Churchill College, Cambridge, 2001