On the 2nd August 1990, Iraqi forces, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. This provoked a response from the UN, demanding that Iraq withdraw and placing a trade embargo on the country. There was a underlying worry that Iraq would go on to invade Saudi Arabia.
President George H. W. Bush sent in 230,000 American troops to protect the Saudi’s and nearly 53,457 British troops were sent over to the Middle East as part of a coalition with the Americans. A deadline of the 15th January 1991 was laid down for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. This was ignored by Hussein and so began the UN air assault on Iraqi military targets. By the end of February 1991, the UN forces had liberated Kuwait. Iraq agreed with the resolutions laid out by the UN on the 3rd March 1991 and peace was declared on the 6th April.
During the conflict, 47 British soldiers lost their lives. Over 3,000 civilians were also killed during UN air strikes. The legacy of the war was conflicted with many believing that the army should have stayed in until Hussein was thrown from power. However this was not the purpose that the UN had outlined at the beginning of the conflict.
Hussein remained in power and Iraq was subject to sanctions which crippled it economically.
Christopher attended Oakham School between 1962 and 1968. He was a member of Sargants and Wharflands.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1966 - Christopher is standing in the back row, second from the right.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1967 - Christopher is sat in the centre.
Oakham School Intermediate Athletics team 1966 - Christopher is sat on the far right.
Oakham School Athletics' Club, 1968 - Christopher is standing in the second row, third from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1967 - Christopher is standing second from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1968 - Christopher is sat second from the left.
Oakham School Fives team, 1967 - Christopher is sat on the far left.
Rugby review Winter 1966: “he moves the ball nicely, times his break well, and is very sound in defence”.
Rugby review Winter 1967: “at fly-half, is a complete footballer with a superb sense of timing in all that he does. He is equally sound in attack and defence and plays with the maturity of an experienced club player. The half-back partnership of Lawrence and Heard must surely rank as one of the best the School has produced for many years”.
Hockey review Spring 1967: “although he has improved in technique and anticipation, he is not prepared to put his head down and go through when near to goal, of which he has the ability but lacks the confidence.”
Christopher trained at RAF Cranwell. He was a Squadron Leader serving in the First Gulf War.
Michael attended Oakham School between 1975 and 1980. He was a member of Wharflands and School House.
Oakham School Rugby 1st Xv, 1979 - Michael is sat third from the right.
Michael studied Accounting at Manchester Polytechnic. He became a chartered accountant in Israel.
He was a Corporal, and later a Staff Sergeant in the Israel Defence Force.
Badge of the Israel Defence Force.
Michael also worked in the Home Front Command Civil Warning Unit.
He served in the Second Gulf War.
David on the New Zealand tour, 1986.
David attended Oakham School between 1980 and 1986. He was a member of Peterborough House and Wharflands. His achievments are listed below:
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1985 - David is sat on the far right.
David in action with the 1st XV.
Oakham School Squash Colts VI, 1984 - David is standing in the centre.
Oakham School Squash Colts VI, 1985 - David is standing second from the right.
Oakham School Squash 1st VI, 1986 - David is standing in the centre.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1985 - David is standing second from the right.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1985 - David is sat second from the right.
David playing with the 1st XI.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1986 - David is sat on the far left.
Summer/Winter 1983 Batting average: 9 innings, 3 times not out, 70+ high score, 303 runs, and an average of 50.50.
1984 Batting average: 13 innings, 2 times not out, 121 high score, 430 runs, and an average of 39.09.
Spring/Summer 1985 Batting average: 15 innings, 2 times not out, 73 high score, 404 runs, and an average of 31.08.
Summer/Autumn 1986 Batting average: 16 innings, 1 times not out, 109 high score, 525 runs, and an average of 35.
Summer/Autumn 1986 bowling average: 9 catches and 10 stumpings.
In 1986, Webb scored the fifth century of the season; became the 22nd player to score over 500 runs in a season; his partnership with England was the forth most successful in school history; and his 19 dismissals was the third best wicket keeping return.
David trained at RMA Sandhurst. David was a Lieutenant and later a Captain in the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussar. He served in the First Gulf War.
The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussar badge.