Born in 1937, and died in January 2025, Michael joined the 7th Hussars in Hong Kong in 1957 from Sandhurst, just before they moved to Tidworth and the November 1958 Amalgamation with 3H to form The Queen’s Own Hussars.
He was in ‘A’ Squadron, the Demonstration Squadron of the School of Infantry at Warminster. QOH moved to Munster, where he moved on to Assistant Adjutant; then, in 1962, became ADC in Yorkshire to two consecutive GOC in Cs Northern Command.
A short stint back in Detmold as Regimental Signals Officer led on to Catterick with the Regiment in the training role, where he ran the Radio Wing, with time to continue his equestrian activities.
He then continued his run of key jobs, as Adjutant in Catterick then Maresfield including the Regiment’s active service tour in Aden in 1967.
After a tour on the staff of HQ 5 Inf Bde, he returned in 1969 as Squadron Leader of the independent ‘A’ Squadron in Singapore, taking them back to Hohne and the Regiment’s first Northern Ireland Tour in armoured cars in South Armagh.
In 1972 and 1973 he was with the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment in Puckapunyal near Melbourne, further passing on his expertise in 1974 and 75 as an Instructor at the RAC Tactical School, Bovington. He then attended the National Defence College, the tri Service Staff College, before his final Army job as GSO 1 Ops HQ South East District in Aldershot, which saw him called in to handle the ‘green goddesses’, stored fire engines used by the Army to replace striking firemen.
Michael was the epitome of a cavalry officer – determined, straight talking and fair, with a great sense of humour. Hence he was held in great affection and respect. He always made time to encourage the young to enjoy themselves – in particular with horses.
As well as a fine athlete and a keen follower of cricket, he was an exceptional horseman, a keen hunting type, and our leading light on the point to point and racing scene – it was in the blood as his father was a senior handicapper. He rode 40 winners – in the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland (three in a day), and finally in Malaysia when he was ‘A’ Squadron Leader in Singapore.
His own successes included, from his racing diary: ‘Larkhill. Good day. Three rides. In the frame each time’; the National Hunt Chase under Rules at Cheltenham, and on his Cockshot, The Duke of Gloucester Cup at Tweseldown and the Grand Military Hunter’s Chase at Sandown, this noted in the Racing Post as a “Superb Feat of Horsemanship” – the horse hit the first fence, unseating him from the saddle, but he clung on to get back into the saddle and win it, and was presented with the cup by The Queen Mother, our Colonel in Chief.
For the spring 1958 season in Tidworth and Warminster just prior to the QOH Amalgamation, 7H had a vintage point-to-point and hunter chase line up: of owner riders – Mike with Cockshot, ‘making a great impression’ according to the Sporting Life, plus Capt Harry Dalzell-Payne, Capt Tim Thomas, Gay Kindersley, Peter Steveney, and Giles Pitman; and of owners – Lt Col Tim Llewellen-Palmer (the CO), and Lt Col Hugh Davies (later founding CO QOH and Colonel of the Regiment); later joined by Col Noel Wall 3H. (3H were stronger on Eventing including Badminton – Messrs Lockhart, Curnock, and Ritson on the Queen Mother’s Gypsy Love). Both 3H and 7H were very strong on polo.
In the later 1960s, Mike worked closely with his great regimental friend John Bulkeley: in the 1966 season riding John’s Grass of Parnassus in the Grand Military; and in the 1968 season with the only QOH Regimental Racehorse Syndicate based on Dibble bred and donated by John’s mother.
Mike, three times, and John, twice, were members of a cavalry team that represented the UK in the annual Premio NATO Steeplechase in Merano, Italy, a race for a cross section of NATO officers on a very twisty 2 1/2mile cross country course on Italian horses. Mike was third in 1965.
After leaving the Army as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1980, Mike became the highly successful Clerk of the Course at Wincanton then also Salisbury, improving these courses significantly. He then was for three years, also very successfully, the Director of Racing of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.
On return to Wiltshire he helped his friend the trainer David Elsworth for many years. A highlight was when Mike bought with David, in Marty’s name, a half share in a yearling. After several successes they had an offer they could not refuse, and it went on to win the 2000 Guineas. The proceeds were used to build a ski chalet, where he and Marty were as ever very generous hosts.
All some consolation for the tragic loss of their son Andrew in the Regiment in 1992 in an accident. Our hearts again go out to Marty, and Louisa now married to Dominic Hughes late QOH – a great friend of Andrew’s.
