Hugh Marrack joined The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars at Colchester in 1948 shortly before the Regiment sailed for Malaya.
He had previously served in the Indian Army from 1941 to 1947, reaching the rank of Major, and saw active service in Persia and on the North-West Frontier during the difficult months of Partition.
Having been educated at Blundell’s, he was briefly up at Cambridge in 1939.
During the 4th Hussars’ three years in Malaya at the time of the Emergency, Captain Marrack was second-in-command of ‘B’ Squadron and distinguished himself by leading many jungle patrols involving clashes with the Communist Terrorists, and commanding armoured car operations in the central and eastern states of Malaya. During this time he was Mentioned in Despatches.
He also showed himself to be a first-class administrator. On the Regiment’s return from Malaya in 1951, he attended a course at the RAC Gunnery School, Lulworth, was awarded a ‘Distinguished’ and for the next two years as a Gunnery Instructor both in UK and BOAR.
Rejoining the Regiment at Tidworth in 1953, he then became Adjutant to Lieutenant Colonel S T Eve MBE MC, shortly before the 4th Hussars moved to Hohne, near Hannover, and remained as Adjutant for the next two years or so, until his voluntary retirement from the Army in 1956, by this time once more a Major. He was an exceptionally good Adjutant — efficient, articulate, full of tolerance and humour — while enjoying Regimental life to the full.
Hugh Marrack then embarked upon a most successful business career with British Timken and bought himself a beautiful, but somewhat run-down, Manor House at Woodend in Northamptonshire.
Over the years he made his house and garden a place of great charm and beauty, while also indulging in his interests of travelling abroad and acquiring woodland in various parts of the country, together with collecting antiques.
He was a member of the Northamptonshire Yeomanry from 1955 until 1961.
Civilised, witty, generous and shrewd, Hugh Marrack made many friends both in the Army and outside it. Having made a friend, he never lost one.
In recent years, despite a very serious illness which he fought and conquered with courage and perseverance, he would constantly keep in touch with his old Regimental comrades, visiting them, always bearing gifts, and taking great joy in renewing and cementing such firm friendships.
Hugh died on 23rd February 1988. He will be deeply missed by all of us, particularly on the occasions of Regimental Dinners and the Cavalry Memorial Parade, which he would invariably so loyally attend.
