Sir John Ure 1931-2023

The Society's Vice-President and former Chairman (1992-96) has died at 92.

John Ure received his education at Uppingham School. Following his active service as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in Malaya from 1950 to 1951, he pursued a degree in history at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and subsequently joined the Foreign Service in 1956. He held positions such as 3rd Secretary (and private secretary to the Ambassador) in Moscow from 1957 to 1959, 2nd Secretary in Léopoldville from 1962 to 1963, First Secretary (Commercial) in Santiago from 1967 to 1970, Counsellor (intermittently serving as Chargé d'Affaires) in Lisbon from 1972 to 1977, Ambassador to Cuba from 1979 to 1981, Ambassador to Brazil from 1984 to 1987, and Ambassador to Sweden from 1987 to 1991.

After retiring from the Diplomatic Service, Sir John took on non-executive director roles in companies such as Thomas Cook and Sotheby's Scandinavia. He also served on the council of the Royal Geographical Society, where he holds a Life Fellowship.

John Ure received the LVO honour in 1968, was appointed CMG in 1980, and received a knighthood as KCMG in 1987. In 1973, he was named a Commander in the Portuguese Military Order of Christ.

In Who's Who, John Ure lists his pastime as "Traveling in remote and uncomfortable places and subsequently writing about it comfortably."

Sir John is survived by his wife, Lady Caroline Ure.