Major-General Louis Lipsett CB, CMG | |
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Born | 14 June 1874 Ballyshannon, County Donegal,,Ireland |
Died | 14 October 1918 (aged 44) Saulzoir, France |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | British Army |
Years of service | 1894–1918 |
Rank | Major-General |
Unit | Royal Irish Regiment |
Commands | 3rd Canadian Division British 4th Division 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles), CEF |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George |
Major-General Louis James Lipsett CB, CMG (14 June 1874 – 14 October 1918), was a senior officer in the British Army and Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. He commanded the 3rd Canadian Division during some of the bitterest battles of the war, taking over in 1916 after his predecessor, Malcolm Mercer, was killed. In 1918, Lipsett took command of the British 4th Division. Less than a month before the end of the war, during a reconnaissance mission observing German positions along the River Selle, Lipsett was killed. He was the last British general to be killed during the First World War.
A highly experienced officer, Lipsett had previously seen action in the Tirah Campaign and the Second Boer War with the British Army, serving as an officer with the Royal Irish Regiment. He was later instrumental in developing military training and education throughout Canada and expanding the shore defences of British Columbia, in response to the threat of the German East Asian Cruiser Squadron. An experienced and capable officer, Lipsett was popular with both his men and his superiors. His death was considered "a deplorable loss to the [4th] Division".[1]