Ralph Hamer Husey

There was little in Ralph Hamer Husey’s pre-war business career to hint at his outstanding qualities as a soldier. When the war broke out he was 33 and still trying to qualify as a chartered accountant. His conversion to soldiering was also unusual. In 1901 he returned from a year in Germany. His time there left him firmly convinced of German enmity to Britain. His response was to join the Hertfordshire Yeomanry as a trooper. He served with the yeomanry for five years before accepting a commission in the socially elite 5th London Regiment. He continued in the battalion after the formation of the Territorial Force and became a firm believer in the Territorial principle and in the qualities of the Territorial soldier.

He was a captain when the war broke out, finding himself in France as early as November 1914, as OC ‘A’ Company. Husey quickly showed an aptitude for combat. He was one of those rare men who enjoyed war and was fulfilled by it. He led by example and was undaunted by adversity. His courage gave him a moral authority over his subordinates, who responded by following him anywhere. He was wounded four times during the war and was four times mentioned in despatches. He commanded the London Rifle Brigade from August 1916 until August 1917 and from December 1917 until April 1918.

He received his second DSO for his part in the heroic defence of Gavrelle, during the German Spring Offensive of March 1918. After a brief period in temporary command of 167th Brigade, Husey was promoted brigadier-general and given command of 25th Brigade, 8th Division, on 8 May. As a Territorial, he was somewhat disconcerted to be given command of this Regular formation.

8th Division had suffered grievously in the spring fighting and had been sent to a quiet sector on the Aisne to rest and refit. Here, on 27 May, it was violently assaulted in a surprise German attack. The division’s position was hopeless. Husey was last seen in the front line firing at swarms of enemy soldiers with a rifle. He seems to have been wounded and then knocked unconscious with a rifle butt. He died in captivity on 30 May. He was 36.

Brigadier-General Husey is buried at Vendresse British Cemetery