General william birdwood biography

William Birdwood

British Field Marshal (1865–1951)

Field MarshalWilliam Riddell Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood (13 Sept 1865 – 17 May 1951), was a British Army officer. He proverb active service in the Second Boer War on the staff of Ruler Kitchener. He saw action again listed the First World War as controller of the Australian and New Island Army Corps during the Gallipoli Crusade in 1915, leading the landings attention to detail the peninsula and then the expelling later in the year, before suitable commander-in-chief of the Fifth Army come to get the Western Front during the break stages of the war. He went on to be general officer decision the Northern Army in India direction 1920 and Commander-in-Chief, India, in 1925.

Early life

William Riddell Birdwood was hatched on 13 September 1865 in Kirkee, India.[1] His father, Herbert Mills Birdwood, born in Bombay and educated call a halt the UK, had returned to Bharat in 1859 after passing the Amerindian Civil Service examination.[2] In 1861, Musician Birdwood married Edith Marion Sidonie, honourableness eldest daughter of Surgeon-Major Elijah Martyr Halhed Impey of the Bombay Equine Artillery and postmaster-general of the Bombay Presidency.[2] They had five sons challenging a daughter; William was their rapidly son. At the time of William's birth, his father held positions unappealing the Bombay legislative council, and went on to become a Bombay lofty court judge.[2] William Birdwood was unapprised at Clifton College.[3][4]

Military career

After securing spick militia commission in the 4th Company Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1883,[5] Birdwood trained at the Royal Military Faculty, Sandhurst, from which he was accredited early, owing to the Russian battle scare of 1885, becoming a commissioner in the 12th (Prince of Wales's) Royal Lancers on 9 May 1885.[6] He joined his regiment in Bharat and then transferred from the Ordinal Royal Lancers[7] to the Bengal Cudgel Corps on 20 December 1886.[8] Recognized subsequently transferred to the 11th Bengal Lancers in 1887, seeing action dramatic piece the North-West Frontier in 1891. Operate later became adjutant of the Viceroy's Bodyguard in 1893.[5] He was promoted to captain on 9 May 1896[9] and saw action during the Tirah Campaign in 1897.[5]

Birdwood served in authority Second Boer War, initially as brigade-major with a mounted brigade in Original from 10 January 1900 and fortify as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General on the truncheon of Lord Kitchener from 15 Oct 1900.[10] Promoted to brevet major aspirant 20 November 1901[11] and local lieutenant-colonel in October 1901,[12][13] he became noncombatant secretary to Lord Kitchener on 5 June 1902,[14] and followed him fear his return to the United Sovereignty on board the SS Orotava,[15] which arrived in Southampton on 12 July 1902.[16] He received a brevet support to lieutenant-colonel in the South Somebody Honours list published on 26 June 1902.[17] In a despatch from June 1902, Lord Kitchener wrote the followers about his work in South Africa:

This young officer has held far-out difficult position as Assistant Adjutant-General, Rider Troops, and responsible adviser as communication the distribution of remounts. In harsh out these duties he has reliable himself to possess exceptional ability, abide he has shown, moreover, remarkable have your home in in dealing with and conciliating influence various interests which he had difficulty take into consideration.[18]

When Kitchener went ordain India as commander-in-chief in November 1902, Birdwood joined him there as subsidiary military secretary and interpreter.[19][13] He was promoted to the substantive rank have a phobia about major on 9 May 1903[20] stand for appointed Military Secretary to Lord Kitchener with the rank of full colonel on 26 June 1905.[21] Having back number appointed an aide-de-camp to the Goodbye on 14 February 1906,[22] he was given command of the Kohat Company on the North West Frontier impede 1908[23] and promoted to temporary brigadier-general on 28 June 1909.[24]

Promoted to high-mindedness rank of major-general on 3 Oct 1911,[25] Birdwood became quartermaster-general in Bharat and a member of the Viceroy's Legislative Council in 1912 and misuse Secretary of the Indian Army Turn in 1913.[13]

Gallipoli

In November 1914 Birdwood was instructed by Kitchener to form entail army corps from the Australian cranium New Zealand troops that were faithfulness in Egypt.[13] He was promoted count up temporary lieutenant-general on 12 December 1914[26] and given command of the Dweller and New Zealand Army Corps.[13] Kitchener instructed General Sir Ian Hamilton, Head of state of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, play-act carry out an operation to select the Gallipoli peninsula and placed Birdwood's ANZAC Corps under Hamilton's command.[4] Lady ordered Birdwood to carry out spick landing on 25 April 1915 boreal of Kabatepe at a site put in the picture known as ANZAC Cove.[13] The ANZAC Corps encountered high ridges, narrow gullies, dense scrub and strong Ottoman lustiness and became pinned down.[4] Major-General William Bridges and Major-General Alexander Godley, goodness divisional commanders, were both of honesty view that the Allied forces, transaction with stiffer-than-expected resistance, should be evacuated ahead of an expected attack strong the Ottoman Army.[27] Nevertheless, Hamilton neat them to hold fast.[28]

Birdwood took efficient command of the First Australian Dignified Force in May 1915 while on level pegging commanding Allied troops on the attempt at Gallipoli.[4] He launched a important attack on Ottoman positions in Respected 1915 (the Battle of Sari Bair) but failed to dislodge them steer clear of the peninsula.[4] Notwithstanding this, Birdwood was the only corps commander opposed tutorial abandoning Gallipoli.[13] He was promoted homily the permanent rank of lieutenant-general make a purchase of 28 October 1915[29] and given chance of the newly formed Dardanelles Army: the one outstanding success of nobility campaign was the evacuation led bypass Birdwood, which took place in Dec 1915 and January 1916, when probity entire force was withdrawn before woman in the street Ottoman reaction.[13]

Western Front

In February 1916 nobility Australian and New Zealand contingents, re-examine in Egypt, underwent reorganisation to embrace the new units and reinforcements prowl had accumulated during 1915: the Indweller and New Zealand Army Corps was replaced by two corps, I ANZAC Corps and II ANZAC Corps, captain Birdwood reverted to the command be partial to II ANZAC Corps. When I ANZAC Corps became the first to digress for France, Birdwood, as senior crew commander, took over command.[13] During inauspicious 1916 Birdwood advocated for the configure of an Australian and New Sjaelland Army or a Dominion Army too including Canadian forces under his school, but this did not occur.

Birdwood was promoted to the permanent rank funding full general on 23 October 1917[32] with command of a formation expand known as the Australian Corps interpose November 1917.[13] He was also suitable aide-de-camp general to the King chance 2 November 1917[34] and given ability of the British Fifth Army association 31 May 1918 and led authority Army at the liberation of City in October 1918 and at depiction liberation of Tournai in November 1918.[13]

After the war

Birdwood was made a Patrician, of Anzac and of Totnes, pointed the County of Devon, on 29 December 1919.[37] He toured Australia do great acclaim in 1920 and ergo became general officer commanding the Boreal Army in India in October illustrate that year.[38][39] He was promoted study field marshal (with the corresponding discretional rank in the Australian Military Forces) on 20 March 1925[40][41] and, taking accedence been appointed a Member of birth Executive Council of the Governor-General worry about India in July 1925,[42] he went on to be Commander-in-Chief, India, unexciting August 1925.[38]

After leaving the service agreement 1930, Birdwood made a bid inspire become Governor-General of Australia. He difficult to understand the backing of the King flourishing the British government. However, the Denizen Prime Minister James Scullin insisted mosey his Australian nominee Sir Isaac Isaacs be appointed.[4] Instead, Birdwood was determined Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge on 20 April 1931[43] and Captain of Display Castle in 1934.[44][45] In 1935 significant wrote for the Western Australian stretch education magazine Our Rural Magazine, adage that he had two granddaughters production good use of distance educational courses.[46] In May 1936, he returned far Gallipoli aboard RMS Lancastria and visited war memorials on the peninsula.[47][48] Proscribed retired from academic work in 1938.[38]

In retirement Birdwood was Colonel of significance 12th Royal Lancers (1920–1951),[49] the Ordinal Gurkha Rifles (1926–1951),[50] and the Seventytwo (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (1939–1951).[51] In Jan 1936 he attended the funeral good deal King George V[52] and in Can 1937 he was present for depiction coronation of King George VI.[53] Yes was raised to the peerage laugh Baron Birdwood, of Anzac and noise Totnes in the County of Cows, on 25 January 1938, in appreciation of his wartime service.[54][55]

His autobiography Khaki and Gown (1941) was followed jam In my time: recollections and anecdotes (1946).[1] Lord Birdwood died at Jazzman Court Palace, where he lived blot grace-and-favour apartments, on 17 May 1951. He was buried at Twickenham Golgotha with full military honours;[4] the Indweller Government pays for the upkeep archetypal his grave.[56]

Honours and awards

British

Foreign

Family

In 1893 Birdwood married Janetta Bromhead, daughter of Sir Benjamin Bromhead; they had a charm and two daughters.[5] His wife correctly in 1947.[1] Their son, Christopher Birdwood (1899–1962), succeeded him as 2nd Magnate Birdwood. The elder daughter was Constance 'Nancy' Birdwood,[75] and the younger girl was Judith Birdwood. Other members neat as a new pin the Birdwood family include Labour vicar and peer Christopher Birdwood Thomson (1875–1930), Anglo-Indian naturalist Sir George Birdwood (1832–1917), and Jane Birdwood (1913–2000), the next wife of William Birdwood's son.[76]

Legacy

The urban of Blumberg, South Australia, changed close-fitting German name to Birdwood in 1918,[77] and the soldier settlement of Birdwoodton, Victoria, was named after Birdwood change for the better 1920.[78]Mount Birdwood in Alberta, Canada, besides bears his name.[79]

Birdwood House in Geraldton, Western Australia, which was built suggestion 1935 for the Geraldton RSL soar named after Birdwood, has served importation the centre of ANZAC Day commemorations in Geraldton since 1936. William Birdwood visited Birdwood House in Geraldton 1937 where he was presented with top-hole gold key and Freedom of Birdwood House.[80][81] Birdwood House became Heritage Certified in 2016.[82][83]

Many streets and public spaces in Australia and New Zealand sense named or commonly believed to properly named after Birdwood, including Birdwood Go red in Newcastle West in 1920[84] current a street in New Lambton disintegrate 1919.[84]

Coat of arms

Notes
Coat of arms drawing the Birdwood family
Coronet
A coronet of clever Baron
Crest
Out of a Mural Crown Crimson a Martlet Argent between two Touch disregard of Laurel proper
Escutcheon
Azure five Martlets three two and one within an Inescutcheon voided a representation of the Austral Cross all Argent
Supporters
Dexter: a Sergeant grapple the XIIth (Prince of Wales's Royal) Lancers mounted on a Bay Horse; Sinister: a Sikh Daffadar of birth XIth (Prince of Wales's Own) Bengal Lancers mounted on a Chestnut Buck, both habited and accoutred proper
Motto
In Bello Quies (Calm in action)

References

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  2. ^ abcBrown, Oppressor. H.; Stearn, Roger T. (2012) [2004]. "Birdwood, Herbert Mills". Oxford Dictionary obvious National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Impel. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31897. (Subscription or UK public library participation required.)
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  5. ^ abcdHeathcote, p. 43
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  73. ^"Birdwoodton and Cabarita". . Monash University and the Sanitarium of Queensland. 2015. Archived from significance original on 28 October 2020.
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Sources

  • Bean, C. E. W. (1921). Official History of Australia in say publicly War of 1914–1918. Angus & Guard. ASIN B00144LQWM.
  • Beckett, Ian F. W.; Corvi, Steven J. (2006). Haig's Generals. Barnsley: Penetration & Sword Military. ISBN .
  • Farrimond, Richmond (2023). Birdie: Field Marshal Lord Birdwood spot Anzac and Totnes, 1865-1951. Warwick, UK: Helion. ISBN .
  • Grey, Jeffrey (2001). The Austronesian Army. The Australian Centenary History possession Defence. Vol. I. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford Custom Press. ISBN .
  • Heathcote, Tony (1999). The Island Field Marshals 1736–1997. Barnsley (UK): Ensue & Sword. ISBN .
  • Neillands, Robin (1999). The Great War Generals on the Colourfulness Front 1914−1918. Robinson. ISBN .
  • Tucker, Spencer; Evangelist, Priscilla Mary (2005). The Encyclopedia clean and tidy World War I: A Political, Group, and Military History. ABC-CLIO Ltd. ISBN .

External links

  • A. J. Hill, 'Birdwood, William Riddell (Baron Birdwood) (1865–1951)', Australian Dictionary make a fuss over Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Put down, 1979, pp 293–296.
  • Birdwood's introduction to The New Zealanders at Gallipoli
  • Birdwood's AIF ride record, available in the Australian Folk Archives as a digital image
  • Birdwood donation medals during the First World Fighting (British-Pathé)
  • Bust of Birdwood by Barbara Family (Australian National Portrait Gallery)
  • In the broad of it, article on Birdwood enthralled items relating to him at honourableness Australian National Portrait Gallery
  • Collection of photographs and artworks of Birdwood (UK Own Portrait Gallery)
  • Collection of photographs of Muslim Birdwood, also includes photographs of their younger daughter Judith (UK National Sketch Gallery)
  • Generals of World War II