Robert Perry

The son of a Warwickshire chemical manufacturer, Robert “Stug” Perry was born in the hamlet of Stareton, which is part of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. He was educated at Harrow School, and Sandhurst Military College, before being commissioned into the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers in 1929. Perry rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He served in the Western Desert in 1941-42 where he was wounded and mentioned in dispatches.

Perry was awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) for his role in the capitulation of the German Army in North Africa. He was injured again, during the Adriatic campaign, but returned to his unit. Just before the final battle in Italy in 1945, however, Perry caught diphtheria and was invalided home.

Away from the Army, Perry had two sporting loves, National Hunt racing and sailing. He owned some good quality race horses and was a steward at both the Wincanton and Taunton race courses. He also continued his passion for sailing after World War II and appeared at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the latter year. On both occasions he owned the respective boats Unique and Vision in the 5.5 metre class.

Because of his tremendous organisation and leadership skills in the Army, Perry was later involved in organising many regattas. He was one of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s bodyguards as a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen of Arms between 1959-79. Perry was also the High Sheriff of Dorset in 1961, and the county’s Deputy Lieutenant the following year.