His father was a pilot with the Dutch fleet, and upon his death while in service the Baroness moved Hugo and his brother first to Australia, then to England, where they lived successively, in London, Hull, and Devon.
Ayahnya adalah seorang pilot, dan hingga kematiannya ketika mengabdi, the Baroness memindahkan Hugo dan adiknya awalnya ke Australia, kemudian ke Inggris, dimana mereka tinggal dengan selamat, di London, Hull, dan Devon.