Page 98 - QDG Volume 9 No. 2 2021

96 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Hugo Charles Giffard Martel was the first person that I met upon arrival at Sandhurst. Aloof, finely accoutred, and possessing of numerous, nonsensical names, it was immediately apparent to everyone that he represented the archetypal image of the young cavalry subaltern. Stemming from a long and storied lineage of army officers, minor gentry, and 8th Century Carolingian royalty, it was clear where he would end up in the regimental process. Of course, Sandhurst is full of young
pretenders with royal connections, and this may have presented some competition to the finer regiments, most notably the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. Hugo’s debut at Sandhurst, was a decidedly less nervous affair than experienced by most.
A man with a penchant for the finer things in life, Hugo immedi- ately assumed the dilettante lifestyle of a cavalry officer, much to the disdain of the Sandhurst Directing Staff. Undoubtedly, this resulted in some stern treatment at the hands of Line Infantry Colour Sergeants, jealous of his refined RP accent and extensive connections to the cast of Made In Chelsea. Nonetheless, despite these initial frictions Hugo soon established himself as a profi- cient and capable tactician, thereby silencing (most of) the jibes about cavalry incompetence.
December 2017 saw the end of Hugo’s time at RMAS. Having proven his ability to heroically endure weeks away from the King’s Road, he moved on to the one part of the army where one can exercise a decidedly more laissez faire approach to military studies. The first half of the year was there- fore spent in Dorset, reacquainting himself with the finer things in life.
The easy days had to end at some
point, though. With Troop Leaders’
over, an imminent deployment to
Poland beckoned. All of this was to
take place under the command of
consummate professional/sadistic
taskmaster Major Charlie Ruggles-Brise, the sharpest of reality checks. The MRX for Op CABRIT was Hugo’s first foray into proper Light Cavalry Troop Leading. Fortunately, it was soon clear that Hugo was the finished product, with even Lt Col Stenhouse noting that there was nothing more that he could do to teach him.
As such, Hugo was paired with a Tp Sgt who would benefit from his erudite tutelage. With Sgt Speed firmly under his wing, the by now Lt Martel set to work making the frozen wilderness of Eastern Europe safer and more prosperous. Critical reconnaissance patrols to Warsaw soon established the Marriott rooftop bar as Key Terrain requiring more detailed surveys. The result of this diligent
work speaks for itself: throughout Hugo’s entire career, Russia dared not so much as resort to anything less than genial exchanges with its Eastern European neighbours. I have no doubt that his departure from the officer corps directly correlates with Putin’s recently bellicose approach to Ukraine.
The end of Op CABRIT in March 2019 saw a new era of hope for Hugo, with firm promises of Adventurous Training, exciting new ventures in West Africa, and plenty of free time to spend with his new fiancée, Lexi. Nonetheless, it was made clear that a year of hard work would first be required, most notably in partaking in two Ex WESSEX STORM itera- tions. In this role, Hugo acquitted himself admirably, again acting as a mentor, this time training Cpl Turner
in the art of anti-tank warfare.
With WESSEX STORM ticked off in January 2020, it appeared that everything would turn out well for Hugo. A short spell in convales- cence after shoulder surgery would then be followed by a period of FCDO working in Nigeria, appar- ently to be centred around the bar of the diplomatic compound. Unfor- tunately, the much promised return for his service was not to be, sabo- taged as it was by China’s release of Covid into the wild. Fortuitously – cynics would say suspiciously so - Hugo’s surgery proved to be a much more debilitating affair than expected. He therefore managed to recuperate away from a locked- down Swanton Morley, remaining
Chelsea-based until the summer.
A flurry of different jobs ensued, namely IO then Sqn 2IC. By 2021 however, Hugo was now sporting a new wife, dog, and car. Despite an admirable attempt at a parsi- monious lifestyle, the wage of a Captain would clearly not suffice and he began to look towards the civilian domain. More significant to his subsequent decision though was his sense of public duty. A staunch Europhile who abhorred Brexit and its reckless move away from EU juris- diction, Hugo sensed an opportunity to right at least a few economic wrongs. Thus he prepared to move on to pastures new, establishing his own business in London,
before making his final departure in July 2021.
Hugo will be sorely missed in the Mess for his sense of humour, sage advice, and his level-headed approach to all things military. We wish him and Lexi all the best in their future ventures, where no doubt he will continue to go from success to success. Adieu to a brother officer, but
Captain Hugo Martel
above all to a fantastic friend.
JEB