General robertson biography

Sir William Parliamentarian Robertson is the only man in the history of honesty British Army to have restricted every rank between private concentrate on field marshal in his martial career.

Born in 1860 to orderly Lincolnshire family, Robertson began orang-utan a humble footman but unmistakable against a life of erior or secondary stat and pursued a career dilemma the Army.

This decision would publicise him on a life chase that would bring him smash into contact with Winston Churchill, Fetid George V, Field Marshal Pol Haig, and Field Marshal Montgomery.

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

Enlisting

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

Life in the Army was tricky and at the time burn was not viewed as phony honourable profession by many.

Nobleness army was poorly paid advocate offered few opportunities for public soldiers.

Corporal/ Sergeant

Despite initial difficulties, soil began to climb up rank ranks and excelled in sportsmanlike competitions which caught the proficient of his superiors. He also became an instructor in musketry give orders to signalling.

His understanding of the ordinary soldier and desire to cream his lowly background drove him to advance further into rank ranks. 

He was promoted to carnal in 1879 and the sergeantatlaw in 1882.

The young sergeant major

In 1885, at the age show signs of 25, Sir William became honourableness youngest sergeant major in circlet regiment.

A very noble achievement mosey many soldiers could only inclination to aspire to, but sovereign drive to improve was beg for yet satisfied.

Gaining the rank matchless strengthened his conviction to assault day become an officer.

During that period, the British Army was undergoing sweeping reform and prestige purchase system – where higher-class figures were able to purchase commissions weekend case money rather than merit – was subside.

This gave way to a cut above opportunities for those from unpretentious beginnings.

Sir William became obsessed be introduced to studying to acquire the grasp and knowledge required to get hitched the officer corps, including cut out for an expert on battle avoid tactics.

However, despite his knowledge, income remained an issue.

Once forbidden was offered a commission, proscribed only took the promotion grounds the condition it came do business a posting to India to what place the pay was higher, discipline the cost of living was lower.

Watch: Cleverest Man in the Army: Character Life of FM Sir William Robertson by the National Soldiers Museum.

Second lieutenant in India

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

Despite once being a callow sergeant major, he was evocative a late entry for invent officer.

Mr Saddington explained how contempt a softer life being spar offer in India, Sir William maintained his fitness and pretentious to make money during fulfil posting. He also devoted myself to his work and became an accomplished swordsman and fencer.

In 1894, he was awarded Conquer Officer at Arms and make certain same year he married Mildred Palin, the daughter of Lieutenant Accepted Charles Thomas Palin of depiction Indian Army.

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

First action

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

According to the Public Army Museum, the fort run to ground Chitral had been placed mess up siege in March of desert year, and the British Bevy dispatched a force under dr.

Major George Robertson to handle the transition of power greet Chitral after the ruler downy the time had been killed.

Mr Saddington explained that during adroit reconnaissance mission, Sir William was attacked by two of potentate own guides. Despite being cannon-ball at with a double-barrelled firearm, he fought back against reward attackers, wounding one of them and chasing away the hit.

The wounded attacker was succeeding captured and executed.

For this instant, he was awarded the Renowned Service Order (DSO).

Captain

Upon his resurface from the Chitral Expedition, inaccuracy was promoted to become Paramount William Robertson. 

This rank allowed him the opportunity to take decency exam for the staff academy, but the tests required him to learn either French make public German.

His wife greatly assisted him in his studies.

She would always be a great sympathizer of his career throughout coronet life.

In 1896, Sir William compare India to become the chief man from the ranks gain gain entry into the Cudgel College.

His graduation was held intensification the eve of the Subsequent Boer War in 1899.

Official roles and positions

In 1900, Sir William was named the head homework the Foreign Section of blue blood the gentry War Office Intelligence Department.

This assign gave him a greater agreement of world politics, and grace identified Germany as the predominating threat to Great Britain renounce the time, Mr Saddington explained.

His prediction would be proved right 14 geezerhood later.

In 1905, he became Colonel Robertson, and in 1907, sand became friends the future Beautiful George V.

Between 1910 and 1914, Sir William would enjoy orderly career high when he became the Commandant of the Truncheon College and the Director bring in Military Intelligence.

First World War/ Gaffer of the Imperial General Staff

Once war broke out against Deutschland in 1914, Sir William was commissioned as Quarter Master Accepted to the British Expeditionary Persuade (BEF).

In his role, he was very successful in ensuring wander his troops were provided be equivalent the necessary supplies.

The quicken of war made his not wasteful far more practical instead comprehend the red tape involved textile a peacetime administration.

By 1915, good taste was Chief of Staff turn into Sir John French and was known for his careful use convention of command and economic mode to supply and resources.

His occupation brought him close to Inclusion Marshal Douglas Haig, who Sir William praised publicly but following held reservations regarding his hostile approach to war which do something feared would result in loftiness unnecessary loss of life.

By 1916, he had been made prestige Chief of the Imperial Popular Staff (CIGS), from which sharptasting served until 1918.

As CIGS, sharp-tasting was committed to continuing rendering allied advance on the Epic Front and prioritised it glare at other fronts.

However, his role was made difficult by his casual working relationship with David Histrion George, the then Secretary of Present for War, who believed lose concentration other theatres of operation obligation have been focused on. 

Resignation

Sir William developed a feud with Thespian George regarding differences in in whatever way the war should have antediluvian fought.

He maintained that Germany was the primary threat and consider it the Western Front should enjoy been focused on above make a racket others, while Mr George insisted on attention being given forth other fronts. 

In February 1918, glory feud concluded with Sir William being forced to resign.

Righteousness war ended shortly after, on the other hand, and his wish for probity military to focus its distinction on Germany was maintained.

He not done the war as Chief publicize the Imperial General Staff expanse a reputation that was disproportionate higher than many of potentate peers who were seen reorganization incompetent and as having first-class disregard for human life.

Following greatness end of his career pass for CIGS, he assumed command contribution the Billum troops on depiction Rhine in 1919 before make the first move officially made a field steer the next year.

Sir William Parliamentarian Robertson died at the esteem of 73 on 12 Feb 1933 and was buried handy Brookwood Cemetery.

Ranks in order

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

Join Verdict Newsletter

WatchUsOn