OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 60, 4 December 1919, Page 7

OBITUARY

FIELD-MARSHAL SIR EVELYN WOOD By To!cL'mph--Pre«3 AsMelatton-CojjyrlitW London, December 2. Obituary.—Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood; aged 81.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. | Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, G.C.8., G.C.M.G., V.C., was born in February, IS3B. His last active military oflico expired in 1905, and he has been Constable of the Tower of London since 1911.

The lato Field-Marshal, who was ad-) mitted a barrister of tho Middle Temple, entered tho Navy in 1852, and two years later, as a midshipman, saw active servico with tho Naval Brigado in tho Crimea, from October 1, 185-1-, to Juno 18, 1855. He was hero severely wounded during tho siego of Sebastopol. whilo carrying a scaling ladder to the Redan. For his services in this action lie was mentioned in disptaches by Lord Raglan, and was awarded a medal and two clasps. Immediately afterwards he left tho Navy for the Army, and joined tho 13th Light Dragoons. 110 was promoted lieutenant in 185G, transferred to the 17th Lancers, served in the Indian Mutiny with distinction as brigade-major of a flying column, and won the Victoria Cross. In 1801 110 became captain, in ISG2 brevet-major. For threo years ho was in tho Black Watch, and then returned to the cavalry. After a period of employment in Britain, he served in 1871 in the Ashanti war as brevet-colonel; and in 1878 went to South Africa to join the 90th Regiment, then engaged in tho Kaffir war. In 1879 he was in command of tho left column of the army that crossed the Zulu frontier, and under him served Colonel Redvers Buller. After the war 110 was mndo 1v.C.8. and took the command of the Chatham district. In 1881 110 again went to South Africa, and after Sir" G. P. Collcy's death at Ma.iuba lie negotiated the armistice with Jonbert. In 1882 he returned to the Chatham command, with tho rank of major-general. In the same year ho was made G.C.M.G., and commanded a brigade in the Egyptian expedition. He remained in Egypt six years, and from 1883 to 1885 was* Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, which he reorganised, and in fact created. During the Nile operations of 1881-85 he commanded" the lines of communication of Lord Wolseley's army. 110 returned to England in 1886. and in 18S9 was appointed to the Aldershot command. When his tenure of that office expired he went to the War Office as nnar-tcvmaster-general, and four years later (1897) became adjutant-general. Tn 1895 lie was promoted a full general. He commanded the 2nd Army Corns and the southern command from 1001 to 1905. and was promoted field-marshal on April 8, 1903. After retiring from active service, he took a leading part, as chairman of the Association for tho City of London, in tho organisation of the Territorial Force. He was the author of several works, including "Achievements of Cavalry." "Cavalry in the Waterloo Campaign," books on the Crimea and tho Indian Mutiny, and an autobiography.]