Generals of the British Army: Portraits in Colour with Introductory and Biographical Notes — John Shaqi
Generals of the British Army: Portraits in Colour with Introductory and Biographical Notes
History
Generals of the British Army: Portraits in Colour with Introductory and Biographical Notes
Generals -- Great Britain; World War, 1914-1918 -- Biography
Since then he has been one of the most brilliant among Corps Commanders.
During the Battle of the Somme the Canadians fought on the right of
Sir Hubert Gough's 5th Army and did notable work, taking Courcelette,
and fighting many desperate actions on the Thiepval Ridge. During the
long stormy winter their raids on the enemy line were among the most
remarkable on the British front. More especially, they made the section
north of Arras an unquiet place for the enemy. Their culminating
achievement came at the Battle of Arras on April 9th, 1917, when they
stormed in one stride four positions on the Vimy Ridge, and wrested from
the enemy the key of the plain of Douai.
In June Sir Julian Byng succeeded General Allenby in command of the
Third Army.
Sir Julian Byng has the appearance and manner of the cavalier of
tradition. No more soldierly figure has appeared in the campaign. He has
had the good fortune always to have fine troops to lead, and he is a fit
leader for the best troops. He has become to the Canadians what General
Birdwood is to the Anzacs--at once a trusted Commander and a
well-beloved friend.
IX
LIEUT.-GEN. SIR WALTER NORRIS CONGREVE, =V.C.=, K.C.B., M.V.O.
SIR WALTER CONGREVE, born in 1862, of Chartley and Congreve, County
Stafford, was educated at Harrow and entered the Rifle Brigade in 1885.
He became a Captain in 1893, and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel in 1901. During
the South African War he won the Victoria Cross for an heroic attempt to
save the guns at Colenso--the occasion on which Lord Roberts' only son
won the same honour and lost his life.
During the war he received a brevet Lieut.-Colonelcy. He was Private
Secretary and Assistant Military Secretary to Lord Kitchener when the
latter was Commander-in-Chief at Pretoria.
After his return to England he became Commandant of the School of
Musketry at Hythe, and, on the outbreak of the European War, went out in
command of the 18th Infantry Brigade. From this he proceeded to the
command of the 6th Division, with which he was present at the fighting
at Hooge and Ypres in August and September, 1915.
At the Battle of the Somme he commanded the XIII Corps on the extreme
British right in liaison with the French. He was responsible for the
taking of Montauban, Bazentin and Longueval, and the desperate fighting
around Guillemont. Ill-health compelled him to relinquish his command at
the end of August, 1916, and, on his return, the XIII Corps was moved
further to the left to Sir Hubert Gough's Army.
[Illustration: LIEUT.-GEN. SIR WALTER CONGREVE]
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