LOUD KITCHENER’S SUCCESSOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1562, 10 June 1916, Page 2

LOUD KITCHENER’S SUCCESSOR.

IMPORTANT changes in the direction of the British military organisation may be expected as a result of Lord Kitchener's death. The present head of the War Olfice is Lieutenant - (ieneral Bir William Robert Robertson, K. 0.8., K.C.V.0., C. D. 8.0., (diief of the Imperial (ieneral Stall’, a position to which he was recalled from France last; December, succeeding Sir Archibald Murray, now commander of the British forces in Egypt. He was born at Welbourne, Lincolnshire, in 1800, and is therefore .10 years younger than Lord Kitchener. Sir William Robertson was educated at a private school. lie served for 10 years in the ranks bed'ore obtaining his commission in the 3rd Dragoon (luards in 1888. In 1801 he acted as railway transport ollicer in India in the Miran/ai and Black Mountain expeditions. During the next live years he was attached to the staff of the intelligence branch in India, and was held intelligence ollicer with the headquarters of the Chitral Belief Force in 1805. During this expedition he was severely wounded. For his services lie was mentioned in despatches, and received the D. He was on the staff during the (South African war, and was present at most of the principal engagements, being mentioned in despatches, and received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps and brevet of lieutenant-colonel. He was employed at the War Ullice from 1001 to 1007, and in 1010 was made commandant of the staff college, after which he became in 1013 director of military training. Sir William Robertson commanded the first division with the original Expeditionary .Force in 1014. He was acting as 'quartermaster-general during the tremendous test of ability, endurance, and courage imposed by the retreat from Metis, and was one of

the officers selected by Sir Jolin French for mention in despatches. In .Inmiiiry, 1015, ho wib appointed Chief of Iho Ceneral Staff of the Expeditionary Force. His promotion to (lie rank of lieutenant-general wjis announced on Ocloher 28th, J() 15. Ills character was recently described by n London jonnuilist in the following terms : —“Ho inis apparently an iron constitution, and certainly a remarkably strong will. He has no nerves, and nothing disturbs him.”