March 09

James Hamilton, born in 1606, inherited the title of Earl of Arran and later became the 1st Duke of Hamilton in 1643. As a soldier, he commanded Royalist forces in Scotland and allied with King Charles I against Parliamentarian armies. Hamilton’s defeat at the Battle of Preston led to his capture by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. He was tried and executed for treason in 1649, one of the last nobles to be put to death after the Civil Wars. His leadership and death marked a significant chapter in the struggle between monarchy and Parliament in 17th-century Britain.

Born in 1590, Henry Rich was the younger son of the 1st Earl of Warwick and became a favorite of King Charles I. He demonstrated military skill in the French Wars of Religion before returning to England and being created Earl of Holland in 1624. Initially a supporter of Parliament, Rich later defected to the Royalist side, reflecting the era’s complex allegiances. Captured at St Neots in 1648, he was executed by Parliament in 1649. His life illustrates the personal and political conflicts that defined the English Civil Wars.

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was a German Imperial Army officer born in 1870. He commanded German forces in East Africa, conducting a successful guerrilla war against Allied troops. His strategic skill allowed him to remain undefeated and tie down significant enemy resources. Lettow-Vorbeck's campaign lasted the entire war, ending only after the Armistice in 1918. He was admired by both allies and adversaries for his leadership and resilience. After the war, he remained a controversial figure, respected for his military prowess and criticized for colonial actions.

Abdul Munim Riad was an Egyptian military officer born in 1919. He served as Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces and later as Minister of Defence. Riad played a crucial role in the 1956 Suez Crisis and in rebuilding Egypt's military after the Six-Day War. He was respected for his strategic vision and dedication to national defence. In 1969, he tragically died in a helicopter crash while on a mission to demarcate the ceasefire lines. Riad is remembered as a national hero who shaped Egypt's military posture during turbulent times.

Born in 1913 in Brest-Litovsk (now Belarus), Begin became a leader in the Zionist Revisionist movement. He led the Irgun paramilitary organization against British rule before the founding of Israel in 1948. Begin entered Israeli politics with the Herut party and formed the Likud alliance, becoming Prime Minister in 1977. His government negotiated the Camp David Accords with Egypt in 1978, leading to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state. For this achievement, Begin shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1978. During his tenure, he pursued settlement expansion and maintained a firm stance against terrorism. Begin resigned in 1983 and retired from public life, passing away on March 9, 1992, leaving a complex legacy.

John Profumo was born in 1915 and served as a lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards during World War II. He entered politics as a Conservative Member of Parliament in 1940 and quickly rose through party ranks. In 1960, he was appointed Secretary of State for War, overseeing Britain's military affairs during the Cold War. Profumo's career ended abruptly in 1963 when his affair with Christine Keeler became a national scandal, forcing his resignation. Despite this setback, he dedicated the rest of his life to charitable work, particularly for disabled and disadvantaged children. He was awarded a CBE in 1975 for his community service. Profumo died on March 9, 2006, and is remembered for both his public service and personal redemption.

James Molyneaux (1920–2015), Baron Molyneaux of Killead, served as a Royal Ulster Rifles officer during World War II. Elected to the UK Parliament in 1970, he represented South Belfast and later Lagan Valley. He led the Ulster Unionist Party from 1979 to 1995, guiding unionist strategy through turbulent times. Molyneaux played a central role in debates over the Anglo-Irish Agreement and early peace talks. In 1997, he was elevated to the House of Lords in recognition of his public service. Known for his steadfast unionism and moderate voice, he influenced the path to the Good Friday Agreement. His leadership left a lasting imprint on Northern Ireland’s political landscape.