Galloper Jack: A Grandson's Search For A Forgotten Hero

"Galloper" Jack Steely, Brough Scott's grandfather, was at the heart of some of the most important events of the first part of the 20th century. His early life was one of adventure, sailing to the Antipodes, saving the crew of a French ship wrecked off the coast of the Isle of Wight and later raising a squadron and joining the Boer War, where he was awareded the DSO for his bravery. On his return to England he was elected Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, but just like his close friend Winston Churchill, later crossed over to the Liberal party. There he became a member of Asquith's War Council and proved a success. However, disaster struck in the shape of the Curragh mutiny. Though Seely had little choice in this actions he was made a scapegoat. Forced to resign, Jack was sent to the Western Front and there made his name as a humane and innnovative leader. But this experience would haunt him for the rest of his life. His insistence that there should never be another Great War led him to embrace appeasement without questioning the Nazi regime. It was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.