Arthur Hughes-Onslow
1863 - 1914
1863 - 1914
Major Arthur Hughes-Onslow, Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars, was born in Barr By Girvan, Ayr, Scotland, on 21 August, 1862, and always known as 'Junks' to his friends.
Major Arthur Hughes-Onslow, Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars, was born in Barr By Girvan, Ayr, Scotland, on 21 August, 1862, and always known as 'Junks' to his friends.
He became the first notable British sportsman to lose his life in World War One.
He became the first notable British sportsman to lose his life in World War One.
Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, Major Hughes-Onslow was not only an accomplished cricketer and polo player, but was also regarded as 'the best of the soldier riders'.
Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, Major Hughes-Onslow was not only an accomplished cricketer and polo player, but was also regarded as 'the best of the soldier riders'.
He made his debut as a gentleman rider at the Melton meeting of 1882, and promptly won two steeplechases.
He made his debut as a gentleman rider at the Melton meeting of 1882, and promptly won two steeplechases.
He went to India soon after with his regiment and, the following winter, won the Indian Grand Military Steeplechase in Umaria
He went to India soon after with his regiment and, the following winter, won the Indian Grand Military Steeplechase in Umaria
Back in England, he won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown three times from just four rides in the race- Bertha on 4 April 1888, County Council on 4 March 1898 and Marpessa on 6 March 1903: his only other ride, Covert Hack, finished second in 1899.
Back in England, he won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown three times from just four rides in the race- Bertha on 4 April 1888, County Council on 4 March 1898 and Marpessa on 6 March 1903: his only other ride, Covert Hack, finished second in 1899.
Major Hughes-Onslow rode with equal success in Ireland: he won Punchestown's Conyngham Cup on no fewer than three occasions - 1899, 1901 & 1903, each time on Major Eustace Loder's Covert Hack.
Major Hughes-Onslow rode with equal success in Ireland: he won Punchestown's Conyngham Cup on no fewer than three occasions - 1899, 1901 & 1903, each time on Major Eustace Loder's Covert Hack.
His splendid form at Punchestown continued with three wins in the Irish Grand Military: these were embellished with a staggering five in the Maiden Military Steeplechase.
His splendid form at Punchestown continued with three wins in the Irish Grand Military: these were embellished with a staggering five in the Maiden Military Steeplechase.
Melton, scene of his initial success, proved to be another good hunting ground: he won the Ladies' Plate three times within four years, the Leicestershire Steeplechase twice, and the Melton and Oakham Plate.
Melton, scene of his initial success, proved to be another good hunting ground: he won the Ladies' Plate three times within four years, the Leicestershire Steeplechase twice, and the Melton and Oakham Plate.
At the Kilkenny meeting in May, 1896 - a hot, dry day - some jokers, directly after the start of a three-mile steeplechase, elected to set fire to the open ditch fence on the far side of the course. By the time the runners had reached it - led by Major Hughes-Onslow - it was blazing merrily. Without a moment's hesitation, the Major urged his mount towards the inferno.
At the Kilkenny meeting in May, 1896 - a hot, dry day - some jokers, directly after the start of a three-mile steeplechase, elected to set fire to the open ditch fence on the far side of the course. By the time the runners had reached it - led by Major Hughes-Onslow - it was blazing merrily. Without a moment's hesitation, the Major urged his mount towards the inferno.
To its credit, the fearless stead flew over through the flames. Three others also had the pluck to jump - the rest pulled up.
To its credit, the fearless stead flew over through the flames. Three others also had the pluck to jump - the rest pulled up.
The fence was burnt out when they got there a second time, so the ensuing result - a win for the Major - stood.
The fence was burnt out when they got there a second time, so the ensuing result - a win for the Major - stood.
Major Hughes-Onslow served in the Boer War, travelling to war with 300 hundred horses on board S.S. Ismore. The horses suffered badly in bad weather and, on December 2, 1899, the ship ran aground.
Major Hughes-Onslow served in the Boer War, travelling to war with 300 hundred horses on board S.S. Ismore. The horses suffered badly in bad weather and, on December 2, 1899, the ship ran aground.
The soldiers threw the horses overboard - only 25 made it to shore. Life for horses in the
The soldiers threw the horses overboard - only 25 made it to shore. Life for horses in the
Boer War was horrendous: their life expectancy was six weeks.
Boer War was horrendous: their life expectancy was six weeks.
An estimated 3000,000 British horses and 150,000 mules died.
An estimated 3000,000 British horses and 150,000 mules died.
The Major had retired from the army in 1903, but re-enlisted when war was declared. He was appointed as a Remount Officer, responsible for finding and preparing horses and mules for war and was given command of Advanced Remount Depot No. 1, Le Havre.
The Major had retired from the army in 1903, but re-enlisted when war was declared. He was appointed as a Remount Officer, responsible for finding and preparing horses and mules for war and was given command of Advanced Remount Depot No. 1, Le Havre.
Hughes-Onslow perished in a plane crash in early August, 1914 - or so, (in order to hide the true nature of the death of a prominent sportsman) people were led to believe.
Hughes-Onslow perished in a plane crash in early August, 1914 - or so, (in order to hide the true nature of the death of a prominent sportsman) people were led to believe.
In fact, he shot himself on August 17, 1914, on a transport ship (S.S. City of Edinburgh) en route to France, taking his own life rather than take the horses back onto the battlefield.
In fact, he shot himself on August 17, 1914, on a transport ship (S.S. City of Edinburgh) en route to France, taking his own life rather than take the horses back onto the battlefield.
The Government's Press Bureau announced his death in the same bulletin as two officers who died in in a car crash and two more in a plane, a deliberate ploy to mask his sad demise.
The Government's Press Bureau announced his death in the same bulletin as two officers who died in in a car crash and two more in a plane, a deliberate ploy to mask his sad demise.
Arthur Hughes-Onslow, 51, is buried in the Communal Cemetery of Sanvic, a village and commune bordering the town of Le Havre on the North side.
Arthur Hughes-Onslow, 51, is buried in the Communal Cemetery of Sanvic, a village and commune bordering the town of Le Havre on the North side.
His cemetery index number is Fr. 86.
His cemetery index number is Fr. 86.