In 1913, he married Marion Atkinson, with whom he had two sons, William Cecil Alexander (1914–1916) and Edward Alistair (1915–1969); they divorced after World War I.
In 1941, he re-joined the Army, afterwards working for a while at the Cabinet Office in London and after met again Ida, he offered her a post as civilian secretary.
After World War II, George Newnes, Hugh's old firm, decided not to work with him anymore.
Soon, she became a prolific and successful romantic novelist, her books (under ten different pseudonyms) being brought out by several major publishers.
They also lived in Ireland, France, Italy, Malta and Switzerland, where they successfully obtained a lasting cure for Rosemary's debilitating condition.