The Earl Roberts | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Field Marshal Roberts as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces | |
| Nickname(s) | Bobs |
| Born | 30 September 1832 Cawnpore, British India |
| Died | 14 November 1914 (aged 82) St Omer, France |
| Buried | St Paul's Cathedral, London |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Bengal Army British Army |
| Years of service | 1851–1904 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Commands | Commander-in-Chief of the Forces British troops in South Africa Commander-in-Chief, Ireland Commander-in-Chief, India Commander-in-Chief in Madras Governor of Natal Kabul and Kandahar Field Force Kabul Field Force Kurram Valley Field Force |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter Knight of the Order of St Patrick Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Member of the Order of Merit Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire Knight of Grace of the Order of St John Mentioned in Despatches |
| Relations | Frederick Roberts (son) Sir Abraham Roberts (father) |
| Signature |  |
Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, VD, PC, FRSGS (30 September 1832 – 14 November 1914), was a British Victorian era general who became one of the most successful British military commanders of his time. Born in India to an Anglo-Irish family, Roberts joined the East India Company Army and served as a young officer in the Indian Rebellion during which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. He was then transferred to the British Army and fought in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in which his exploits earned him widespread fame. Roberts would go on to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, India, before leading British Forces for a year during the Second Boer War. He also became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904.
A man of small stature, Roberts was affectionately known to his troops and the wider British public as "Bobs" and revered as one of Britain's leading military figures at a time when the British Empire reached the height of its power.[1] He became a symbol for the British Army and in later life became an influential proponent of stronger defence in response to the increasing threat that the German Empire posed to Britain in the lead up to the First World War.[2]
- ^ "Poems – 'Bobs'". Kiplingsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "16 November 1914 – The late Lord Roberts. – Trove". Trove.nla.gov.au. 16 November 1914. Retrieved 23 May 2018.