SIR JOHN FRENCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1287, 22 August 1914, Page 4

SIR JOHN FRENCH.

COMMANDER OF. THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, K.C.M.G., G.C.8., G.C. V. 0., D.C.L., A.D.C.-General to the King, resigned from his position at the War Office a few mouths ago in consequence of the Home Rule trouble. He was Chief ot the Imperial Army Staff since 1911, first military member of the Army Council, and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief First Class. Sir John French, who is sixty-two years of age, joined H.M.S. Britannia in 1866, and served in the navy ior four years. In 1874 he entered the army, and served in the 19th Hussars in the Soudan, 188485, and in the actions of Abu Klea, Gubut and Metemmeh. He commanded the regiment in iBB9 93, After holding various Staff appointments in England, he was appointed to command the Cavalry Division in Natal, and was in command of the troops at the battle of Elandslaagte, and of the cavalry at Reittontein and Lombard’s Kop. As Lieut.-General he commanded the Cavalry Division in South Africa in 1900-02, and was promoted to Major-General. He commanded the troops in the operations round Colesberg, 18991900, including several important engagements; and had charge of the cavalry force in the operations which culminated in the relief of Kimberley in 1900. He commanded the Cavalry Division in Lord Roberts’s forces throughout the operations which ended in the capture of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and held command of the left wing in the battles east of Pretoria on 10th and 12th June, 1900, being mentioned eight times in despatches. He commanded the forces which took Barberton, and in the operations up till the end of the war. He received of the First Army Corps in 1901, and in 1907-11 was Inspector-General. He became Field-Marshal in 1913.