The son of a tea planter from Sri Lanka, Boustead began his career with the Royal Navy, but soon joined the British Army to fight in the trenches during World War I, where he earned his first of two Military Crosses.

Following an appearance at the 1920 Summer Olympics, Boustead spent several years as a mountaineer and explorer prior to being appointed commander of the Sudan Camel Corps, with whom he served through World War II.

Boustead was born on 14 April 1895 in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, the son of a local tea planter who later became a director of The Imperial Ethiopian Rubber Company.

On 15 May 1915 he was promoted to acting Sub-Lieutenant,[3] but deserted this post one month later while on leave in Simon's Town[4] to engage in trench warfare as a member of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment from South Africa.

His fine leadership and good disposition largely contributed to the success of the operation.Boustead received the honour from George V of the United Kingdom on 15 August 1917[7] and transferred to the British Indian Army ten days later.

For conspicuous gallantry at Kardel, on the 25th August, 1919, when by the skilful manner in which he personally handed Lewis guns he assisted in beating off several hostile cavalry attacks, and by his example greatly inspired the Lewis-gun sections of the Russian regiment to which he was attached.

[2] Boustead rejoined the military following the onset of World War II to raise, train, and command the Sudanese Frontier Force.

[2] As a local Lieutenant-Colonel[31] and commander of its Camel Corps he led some of the units that helped restore Emperor Haile Selassie I to the throne of Ethiopia in 1941.

For his actions in this conflict, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order by Orde Wingate on 15 August 1941,[32] which he received on 30 December 1941, being Mentioned in Despatches on the same date.

[33] After the conflict Boustead served as a diplomat in several Middle Eastern countries including Sudan, Yemen, and Oman, prior to spending nine years (1949–1958) as a Resident Adviser in the Aden Protectorate.