Sir John Hope, 16th Baronet

Who was Sir John Hope, 16th Baronet?

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Augustus Hope, 16th Baronet OBE was a British soldier and politician.

The son of Rev. Canon Charles Augustus Hope, Rector of Barwick in Elmet, Yorkshire, Hope entered the army in 1889 and was promoted to the rank of Major in 1905. He served in South Africa in 1901-1902 and was awarded the Queen's medal with 4 clasps. He later served in World War I with the 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, was wounded and awarded the OBE.

In 1910 Hope married the Hon. Mary Bruce, OBE, eldest daughter of Alexander Bruce, 6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh. He succeeded his uncle in 1918 as 16th baronet.

Hope was unsuccessful Unionist candidate for Midlothian at the December 1910 General Election, and was elected for the seat at a by-election in 1912. In 1918 when the constituency was split, he was elected as Conservative member for Midlothian North and Peebles, which he held until 1922.

His son, Sir Archibald Hope, 17th Baronet, commanded No. 601 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain.