Rex Hunt, 1926–2012
The British governor who defied Argentina
Rex Hunt will be remembered as an embodiment of British defiance for refusing to shake hands with the leader of the Argentine forces after they invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982. As governor of the bleak archipelago in the South Atlantic, Hunt had to face the invasion of 600 Argentine troops with just 68 Royal Marines.
Hunt had “served his country for many years” before becoming governor of the Falklands, said The Guardian (U.K.). He served as a diplomat in colonial Uganda, Malaysia, and Vietnam, where he was the “last diplomat to leave the British Embassy in Saigon as the Vietcong poured in.” In 1980, he was sent to govern the Falklands, a British territory since 1833, amid gathering Argentine frustration at the British presence there. The island’s 1,800 residents staunchly opposed Argentine rule, and so did the government in London.
On April 2, 1982, Argentina invaded the Falklands, said The Daily Telegraph (U.K.), ignoring appeals from Ronald Reagan to turn back. Hunt’s official residence came under “ferocious fire” from Argentine forces. But the outnumbered Royal Marines ably defended the governor’s house, killing five invaders without taking a single casualty. Meanwhile Hunt, “sitting in his study gripping an Italian pistol and determined to shoot the first Argentine bursting through the door,” called the Argentine air force to negotiate a surrender and avoid further bloodshed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Argentina demanded that Hunt leave the islands, said BBC.com, so he “put on his full ceremonial uniform”—complete with ostrich plumes, tailored tunic, and cutlass—to make a proper departure as throngs of islanders bid him farewell. When invading commander Gen. Oswald Garcia attempted to shake his hand, he refused. “He was twitching like mad,” Hunt later recalled. “He said it was very ungentlemanly not to shake hands. I said it was uncivilized to invade our country.” Britain recaptured the islands in June 1982, and Hunt later returned to govern them until his retirement in 1985.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dame Maggie Smith: an intensely private national treasure
In The Spotlight Her mother told her she didn't have the looks to be an actor, but Smith went on to win awards and capture hearts
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
James Earl Jones: classically trained actor who gave a voice to Darth Vader
In The Spotlight One of the most respected actors of his generation, Jones overcame a childhood stutter to become a 'towering' presence on stage and screen
By The Week UK Published
-
Michael Mosley obituary: television doctor whose work changed thousands of lives
In the Spotlight TV doctor was known for his popularisation of the 5:2 diet and his cheerful willingness to use himself as a guinea pig
By The Week UK Published
-
Morgan Spurlock: the filmmaker who shone a spotlight on McDonald's
In the Spotlight Spurlock rose to fame for his controversial documentary Super Size Me
By The Week UK Published
-
Benjamin Zephaniah: trailblazing writer who 'took poetry everywhere'
Why Everyone's Talking About Remembering the 'radical' wordsmith's 'wit and sense of mischief'
By The Week UK Published
-
Shane MacGowan: the unruly former punk with a literary soul
Why Everyone's Talking About The Pogues frontman died aged 65
By The Week UK Published
-
'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud dies at 25
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Legendary jazz and pop singer Tony Bennett dies at 96
Speed Read
By Devika Rao Published