Birdwood, William Riddell Birdwood, Baron, 1865-1951

English army officer.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Thurlby Hall, Lincoln, to Sydney Carlyle Cockerell, 1933 [i.e. 1934] Jan. 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 426142977

"The Queensland Digger" was the official journal of the Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA), (Queensland Branch). During World War I, William Birdwood was given command of the Australian and New Zealand forces recruited for service in Europe. He was awarded the KCMG in 1914, the KCSI in 1915, the KCB in 1917, the GCMG in 1919 as well as being made Baronet in 1919. The Australian Military Forces made him General in 1920 and Field Marshall in 1925. He was made 1st Baron Birdwood in 1938. [Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 7 1891-1939]

From the description of OM81-11 William Birdwood Letter, 1938. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 755745979

1883 commission in the 4th battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers; 1885 gazetted to 12th lancers; 1886 transferred to 11th Bengal lancers; 1891 served in Black Mountain expedition; 1893-1898 adjutant of the viceroy's bodyguard; 1896 captain; 1897 served in Tirah expedition; 1899-1900 special service officer in Natal mounted brigade, served in Second Boer War; 1900-1902 deputy assistant adjutant-general to Lord Kitchener (chief of staff); 1902-1904 assistant military secretary to Lord Kitchener (commander-in-chief in India); 1905-1909 military secretary to Lord Kitchener (commander-in-chief in India); 1905 colonel; 1908 staff officer to Sir James Willcocks (Mohmand field force), CIE; 1909-1912 commander of Kohat independent brigade; 1909 brigadier-general; 1911 major general, CB; 1912 quartermaster-general; 1912-1914 secretary to the government of India in the army department, member of the governor-general's legislative council; 1914 KCMG; 1914-1918 commander of Anzac, including service at Gallipoli; 1915 KCSI; 1917 general, KCB; 1918 commander of the Fifth Army; 1919 baronetcy, GCMG; 1920-1924 commander of northern army in India; 1923 GCB; 1925-1930 commander-in-chief in India; 1930 GCSI; 1931-1938 master of Peterhouse, Cambridge; 1937 GCVO

Epithet: army officer

Title: 1st Baron Birdwood

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000299.0x0002a1