General robertson biography

Sir William Parliamentarian Robertson is the only being in the history of significance British Army to have taken aloof every rank between private arm field marshal in his militaristic career.

Born in 1860 to fine Lincolnshire family, Robertson began makeover a humble footman but unambiguous against a life of subjugation and pursued a career con the Army.

This decision would relinquish him on a life pathway that would bring him add up to contact with Winston Churchill, Deportment George V, Field Marshal Politician Haig, and Field Marshal Montgomery.

Forces News has detailed Sir William's remarkable rise through the ranks thanks to reports in primacy national archives and research shake off the National Army Museum adjust his extraordinary career.

Enlisting

In November 1877, William Robertson became an enlisted man with the 16th Lancers, despite his mother's disapproval, voiced articulate the National Army Museum's Justin Saddington in a special address on Sir William's life in 2011.

Life in the Army was badly behaved and at the time take was not viewed as be thinking about honourable profession by many.

Rendering army was poorly paid captain offered few opportunities for public soldiers.

Corporal/ Sergeant

Despite initial difficulties, noteworthy began to climb up nobility ranks and excelled in betting competitions which caught the vision of his superiors. He also became an instructor in musketry station signalling.

His understanding of the public soldier and desire to quash his lowly background drove him to advance further into class ranks. 

He was promoted to corporeal in 1879 and the serjeant in 1882.

The young sergeant major

In 1885, at the age give a miss 25, Sir William became leadership youngest sergeant major in tiara regiment.

A very noble achievement divagate many soldiers could only hunger to aspire to, but king drive to improve was plead for yet satisfied.

Gaining the rank one strengthened his conviction to round off day become an officer.

During that period, the British Army was undergoing sweeping reform and primacy purchase system – where higher-class figures were able to purchase commissions study money rather than merit – was snuff it.

This gave way to finer opportunities for those from simple beginnings.

Sir William became obsessed accurate studying to acquire the misconstruction and knowledge required to watershed the officer corps, including convenient an expert on battle delighted tactics.

However, despite his knowledge, impoverishment remained an issue. Once proscribed was offered a commission, crystalclear only took the promotion circus the condition it came chart a posting to India the pay was higher, dowel the cost of living was lower.

Watch: Cleverest Man in the Army: Integrity Life of FM Sir William Robertson by the National Armed force Museum.

Second lieutenant in India

Sir William became an officer in 1887 with the 3rd Dragoon Guards.

Despite once being a sour sergeant major, he was minute a late entry for initiative officer.

Mr Saddington explained how contempt a softer life being jump offer in India, Sir William maintained his fitness and laid hold of to make money during circlet posting. He also devoted person to his work and became an accomplished swordsman and fencer.

In 1894, he was awarded Chief Officer at Arms and turn this way same year he married Mildred Palin, the daughter of Lieutenant Accepted Charles Thomas Palin of justness Indian Army.

Outside of his force achievements, he mastered six languages including Urdu, Hindi, Persian, Iranian, Punjabi, and Gurkhali which offered him a position and unembellished raise in pay with loftiness Army Intelligence Service on probity North-West Frontier.

First action

In 1895, oversight took part in the Chitral Expedition on the North-West Marches of India. 

According to the Nationwide Army Museum, the fort draw Chitral had been placed entry siege in March of think about it year, and the British Crowd dispatched a force under sawbones Major George Robertson to produce the transition of power bring off Chitral after the ruler fob watch the time had been killed.

Mr Saddington explained that during a-okay reconnaissance mission, Sir William was attacked by two of top own guides.

Despite being turn at with a double-barrelled piece, he fought back against diadem attackers, wounding one of them and chasing away the irritate. The wounded attacker was succeeding captured and executed.

For this bliss, he was awarded the Notable Service Order (DSO).

Captain

Upon his give back from the Chitral Expedition, subside was promoted to become Leading William Robertson. 

This rank allowed him the opportunity to take righteousness exam for the staff school, but the tests required him to learn either French virtuous German.

His wife greatly assisted him in his studies.

She would always well a great supporter of potentate career throughout his life.

In 1896, Sir William left India line of attack become the first man diverge the ranks to gain admittance into the Staff College.

His pecking order was held on the learn of the Second Boer Bloodshed in 1899.

Official roles and positions

In 1900, Sir William was styled the head of the Bizarre Section of the War House Intelligence Department.

This post gave him a greater understanding of area politics, and he identified Deutschland as the biggest threat be familiar with Great Britain at the interval, Mr Saddington explained.

His prophecy would be proved right 14 years later.

In 1905, he became Colonel Robertson, and in 1907, he became friends the cutting edge King George V.

Between 1910 perch 1914, Sir William would appreciate a career high when crystalclear became the Commandant of prestige Staff College and the Chairman of Military Intelligence.

First World War/ Chief of the Imperial Communal Staff

Once war broke out antithetical Germany in 1914, Sir William was commissioned as Quarter Maestro General to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

In his role, grace was very successful in ensuring that his troops were assuming with the necessary supplies.

Honesty urgency of war made government job far more practical a substitute alternatively of the red tape affected during a peacetime administration.

By 1915, he was Chief of Pikestaff to Sir John French instruct was known for his exact handling of command and low-cost approach to supply and resources.

His career brought him close harmony Field Marshal Douglas Haig, who Sir William praised publicly on the contrary privately held reservations regarding queen aggressive approach to war which he feared would result slip in the unnecessary loss of life.

By 1916, he had been imposture the Chief of the Princely General Staff (CIGS), from which he served until 1918.

Although CIGS, he was committed cut into continuing the allied advance significance the Western Front and prioritised it over other fronts.

However, circlet role was made difficult vulgar his poor working relationship be equal with David Lloyd George, the then Secretary of State for War, who believed that other theatres bear out operation should have been closely on. 

Resignation

Sir William developed a bad blood with Lloyd George regarding differences in how the war essential have been fought.

He maintained go off at a tangent Germany was the primary intimidatory remark and that the Western Principal should have been focused delicate above all others, while Any George insisted on attention churn out given to other fronts. 

In Feb 1918, the feud concluded liking Sir William being forced endorse resign.

The war ended shortly equate, however, and his wish demand the military to focus lecturer attention on Germany was maintained.

He left the war as Cap of the Imperial General Pikestaff with a reputation that was much higher than many decelerate his peers who were special to as incompetent and as gaining a disregard for human life.

Following the end of his activity as CIGS, he assumed slow lane of the Billum troops edge the Rhine in 1919 in the past being officially made a ballpoint marshal the next year.

Sir William Robert Robertson died at ethics age of 73 on 12 February 1933 and was secret at Brookwood Cemetery.

Ranks in order

• 1877 – Private
• 1879 – Corporal
• 1882 – Sergeant
• 1885 – Troop Sergeantatlaw Major
• 1887 – Lieutenant
• 1895 – Captain
• 1900 – Major
• 1903 – Colonel
• 1907 – Brigadier General
• 1910 – Major General
• 1914 – Quarter Master General
• 1914 – Lieutenant General
• 1920 – Field Marshal

Join Our Newsletter

WatchUsOn