Hugh McNearnie
His studies included Middle Eastern languages at the School of African and Oriental Stdies (SOAS) at London University before transferring to Cambridge to escape the bombing.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of Hugh and Agnes McNearnie. Hugh jnr married Violet Annie Tune at Retford 19/11/1923 and they were to have two sons - Peter (17/9/23) and Hugh (4/6/1930) .
Biographical information in this record has been extracted from an account of Hugh McNearnie's life by his son Peter and is courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis.
MOSUL WAR CEMETERY 1. D. 2. Iraq
Hugh McNearnie loined the British Army during World War One serving in India and Mesopotamia (Iraq). He became assistant political advisor to the army in northern Iqaq before returning to the UK in 1923.
In 1921, he was active in the recruitment of the first Assyrians in the Levies under Sir Percy Cox, then British High Commissioner who reported 'the recruiting was entgrusted to Captain McNearnie whose efforts have met such success that by the end of the period under report the total of 5,500 [target] had not only been reaches but actually exceeded by some 400. The surplus will be disposed of by weeding out non-efficients.'
In World War Two, he was posted to Iraq again in Mosul under the British ambassador Sir Kinahan Cornwallis who was in charge of political officers. In 1942, he flew to Kirkuk for dental treatment on an infected jaw but died during the operation. His funeral service was held in the Syriac [Assyrian] Orthodox Church in Mosul.
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Hugh McNearnie commemorated on a family memorial in All Hallows churchyard Worksop.
Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Hugh McNearnie
Courtesy of Hugh McNearnie's son Peter via Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Hugh McNearnie's grave in Mosul Cemetery Plot C Grave 1. His epitaph reads 'God let you leave a name to shine on the entablatures of truth forever.'
Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis