R ESPECTED L EADER

D EVOTED H USBAND AND F ATHER R ESPECTED L EADER

D EVOTED H USBAND AND F ATHER R ESPECTED L EADER R ENOWNED A UTHOR

D ISTINGUISHED W OODSTOCK A LUMNUS D EVOTED H USBAND AND F ATHER R ESPECTED L EADER R ENOWNED A UTHOR

B RIGADIER K IM Y ADAV T HIS IS THE S TORY OF

In 1935, a young boy from Agra arrived on Woodstock’s campus. Already ambitious at the age of 14, he was most excited about his science courses. His new classmates affectionately called him “Huku”.

Here during the principalship of Rev. Allen E. Parker, Hukam Yadav witnessed a new example of leadership and glimpsed the changing world that lay ahead of him…

Of course, he was also busy being a student…

Tennis Basketball Scouts Hockey

-The Whispering Pine, 1938 “His craze at present is trying to raise a moustache and a set of sideburns… …the latter are almost visible.”

-The Whispering Pine, 1938

The attributes that Hukam Yadav was best known for at Woodstock became the same qualities which were to characterize him throughout his life…

At the age of 18, he took the Federal Service Examination and was one of 15 cadets admitted into the Indian Military Academy.

In 1941, at the age of 20, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of the Indian Artillery.

While still in his early twenties, he was promoted to Captain and became the first Indian to be appointed Instructor-in-Gunnery.

His fellow officers, fond of quoting Rudyard Kipling, began calling him “Kim”. It stuck.

During WWII, Brigadier Yadav was posted to the Burmese front, and was soon after selected to be Liaison Officer for Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten. In the same year, Brigadier Yadav was named Aide De Camp for General Sir Montagu Stopford.

In 1947, Lord Mountbatten was appointed Viceroy of India – he would be the last – and Brig. Yadav was selected as his ADC. As India neared its Independence, Brig. Yadav found himself amidst a crucial time in history.

“It was a wonderful experience to hear Gandhiji dilate on his favorite themes in simple but stirring words. His affection and compassion were always overwhelming.” -British Lions and the Indian Tigers Brigadier Kim Yadav

On August 15 th, at the Independence Day Celebrations at India Gate, the huge crowd prevented Lord Mountbatten from reaching the flagpole, so Brig. Yadav made his way through and unfurled the flag.

It was the second flag to be raised in the entire nation.

That same year, another historic moment occurred in Brig. Yadav’s own life – he married Miss Ann Connorton, his life partner.

Over the course of their 52-year marriage, the two had a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. “My wife was a rare gem, not only a woman full of grace, but also a person of compassion and concern for others.” -British Lions and the Indian Tigers Brigadier Kim Yadav

Over the next 20 years, Brig. Yadav held a wide range of positions in his military career.

First Commandant of the Jungle Warfare School Defense Services Staff College Instructor Infantry School Instructor

Throughout his career, Brig. Yadav worked for security, stability and the integrity of his nation throughout India and greater Asia. Following his retirement, he put his efforts into family, farming, and furthering the rights of veterans.

He remains connected to the Woodstock community… Woodstock School Class of 1938

“I realize now that without the education at Woodstock School I would never have held the most prestigious and enjoyable appointments later in life.” “I would say that my ability to communicate effectively with my fellow human beings from anywhere in the world was Woodstock School’s greatest gift to me.” “…it was at Woodstock that I acquired the essential skills for communicating with others in a convincing and genial manner…” -British Lions and the Indian Tigers Brigadier Kim Yadav

In his High School years at Woodstock, Brig. Yadav was known for admiring the motto: “Hitch your wagon to a star. Aim high; hope for great things.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

He has not only hoped for them… He has achieved them.

To Brigadier Kim Yadav – We Thank You. alumnus and friend…