Henry Hughes Wilson
Encyclopedia
Field Marshal
Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO
, (5 May 1864 – 22 June 1922) was an Anglo-Irish
field marshal and Irish Unionist politician
. He was one of the most senior British Army
officers of World War I
and played an important role in Anglo-French miltary relations both before the war and in 1914. Later in the war he was military advisor to the British Prime Minister
, serving as Chief of the Imperial General Staff (professional head of the Army) in the last year of the war. Wilson had been involved in the Curragh Mutiny in 1914 and after the formation of Northern Ireland
, he became security advisor to the Northern Ireland Government. After briefly serving as a Member of Parliament, Wilson was assassinated by two Irish Republican Army
volunteers in 1922.
, County Longford
, Ireland and was the second son of James and Constance Wilson, of Currygrane. He was educated at Marlborough College
, and made unsuccessful attempts to get into the British Army
colleges Royal Military Academy and Sandhurst
between 1880 and 1882.
In 1882, he succeeded in being commissioned as a lieutenant
in the Longford Militia (which was a militia
battalion
of the Rifle Brigade) and then transferred to a regular battalion. He briefly transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles in 1884, but quickly returned to the Rifle Brigade.
Wilson was posted to India
in 1885 and in 1886 went to Burma to serve in the Third Burmese War. He received several serious wounds, including an eye wound and one which forced him to use a walking stick for the rest of his life. His injuries refused to heal in India and he returned to Ireland until 1888 when he was passed fit for regimental duty. Wilson in the meantime has been studying for the Staff College at Camberley which he graduated from in December 1893. He was promoted captain
in 1893. From November 1894 he worked in the Intelligence Department of the War Office
, where his fluent French and German were useful.
He was seconded to the staff in 1895, and in 1897, he became Brigade Major
of the 3rd Brigade at Aldershot
, and from 1899 to 1901 he saw active service during the Second Boer War
with the 4th (Light) Brigade (as a Brigade Major) before becoming Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General and assistant military secretary
to Lord Roberts and was Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Distinguished Service Order
, and was recommended for brevet
promotion to lieutenant-colonel on attaining a substantive majority.
in 1902. In 1903 he became an Assistant Adjutant-General. Promotion came in 1907 when he became a substantive colonel at the beginning of the year, and later a temporary brigadier-general commanding the Staff College, Camberley
, Surrey until 1910, when he became Director of Military Operations at the British War Office.
While there he advocated the landing of a British Expeditionary Force in France in case of German attack, and in July 1911 held secret talks with General Dubail (French Chief of Staff) and Adolphe Messimy (French War Minister), although the French seem to have been left with an inflated idea of the size of commitment which Britain would send . The Naval Staff was against this idea, arguing that it would take too long to organise; the Germans would be halfway to Paris by the time it was done. Further, the four to six divisions Britain was expected to be able to muster would have little effect in a war with 70-80+ divisions on each side. They favoured keeping the Army at home, to be landed by the Navy at Antwerp or on the German coast, as the opportunity arose. Wilson, however, successfully argued against the sailors, saying that the high quality of the British soldiers and their use to strengthen the French left against the strong right wing of the German Schlieffen Plan
would have an effect out of proportion to the numbers involved. Further, the British landing to fight alongside their allies would have an incalculable effect on French morale. He realized the organisational difficulties involved, though, and spent much time planning the deployment of the proposed British Expeditionary Force to France in the event of war. He even spent many of his leaves from duty cycling around Belgium and Northern France. In 1912 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was promoted major-general
in November 1913.
from the start of First World War
. Wilson was initially sceptical of the German invasion of Belgium, feeling that it would be diverted to meet the French thrusts into Lorraine and the Ardennes, but after the Battle of Mons it was clear that the BEF would have to retreat in the face of superior numbers.
Wilson was keen to be promoted to replace General Murray, who had suffered some kind of breakdown during the retreat in 1914, as chief of staff BEF, but this was vetoed by Kitchener (Secretary of State for War, and one of the few senior British players apart from Wilson who could speak fluent French) and Prime Minister Asquith, who felt he was too pro-French and who disliked his taste for what he called "mischief" (intrigue), despite Wilson lobbying French to tell him that their opposition to his promotion was based on personal and (in Asquith's case) political dislike . In the end the BEF Quartermaster-General "Wully" Robertson was promoted to take Murray's job early in 1915, and Wilson continued as deputy chief of staff BEF until Haig became Commander-in-Chief BEF in December 1915.
Wilson did not get on with Haig and wanted to go on half pay but Haig thought this unacceptable for such an able officer in wartime. Robertson advised Haig that Wilson would “do less harm” in France than in England. He was given command of IV Corps in France, despite Haig's belief that Wilson had criticised himself and other British generals, and had instigated an article in "The Observer" suggesting that the BEF be placed under General Foch (commander, French Northern Army Group) . Wilson commanded this corps until 1916. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant-general in January 1915, knighted as a Knight Commander of the Bath in the 1915 King's Birthday Honours, and made a Commander and later Grand Officier of the Légion d'honneur
for his services. He was also given the honorary appointment of Colonel of the Royal Irish Rifles on 11 November 1915.
In September 1917, he took over the Eastern Command
, which allowed him to live in London and worked closely with Prime Minister
David Lloyd George
. In December 1917 he was given the temporary rank of general
. In February 1918, he was appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS), after the removal of Sir William Robertson and was the principal military adviser to Lloyd George in the last year of the First World War. Winston Churchill
wrote "In Sir Henry Wilson the War Cabinet
found for the first time an expert advisor of superior intellect , who could explain lucidly and forcefully the whole situation and give reasons for the adoption or rejection of any course". One of his first acts was to nearly triple the size of the Tank Corps
from 18,000 to 46,000 men
He was promoted to substantive general on 3 June 1918, and appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 17 December 1918. As CIGS, he was a member of the Army Council
.
After the war, on 3 July 1919, he was promoted to field marshal
, awarded £10,000 by the British Parliament
and made a baronet. He was made a Grand Officier of the Belgian Order of Leopold and awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre
, and was given the Chinese Order of Chia-Ho
(Golden Grain), 1st Class "Ta-Shou Pao-Kuang", the American Distinguished Service Medal
, the Siamese Order of the White Elephant
, first class, the Grand Cordon of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun
(later "with flowers of the Paulownia
"), the Grand Cross of the Greek Order of the Redeemer
, and promoted to Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur. At the Paris Peace Conference
, he acted as Britain's chief military adviser but found himself in increasing disagreement with Lloyd George. He resigned from the army (being replaced as CIGS by The Earl of Cavan
on 19 February 1922) and became a Member of Parliament
for North Down
in a by-election
victory. In March 1922 he was invited by Sir James Craig
's to be come the Northern Ireland Government
's adviser on security.
of the Irish Republican Army
(IRA), Reginald Dunne
and Joseph O'Sullivan
, shot and killed Wilson as he returned to his house at 36 Eaton Place in London after unveiling the Great Eastern Railway
war memorial
in Liverpool Street Station
. Two policemen and a chauffeur were also shot as the men attempted to avoid capture. They were then surrounded by a crowd and arrested by other policemen after a struggle. The guns used by the assassins were sent to David Lloyd George
and Winston Churchill
in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street
; "There was no Henry Wilson. The Prime Minister
and I faced each other, and on the table between us lay the pistols which an hour before had taken this loyal man's life". The House of Commons was immediately adjourned as a mark of respect and King George V sent his equerry
, Colonel Arthur Erskine
, to Eaton Place to convey the royal sympathy to Lady Wilson. A dinner to celebrate the Prince of Wales
's birthday arranged at Buckingham Palace
for the evening, was also cancelled. Dunne and O'Sullivan were convicted of murder and hanged on 10 August 1922.
T. Ryle Dwyer suggests that the shooting of Wilson was ordered by Irish Free State
General and Commander-in-Chief Michael Collins
in retaliation for the continuing troubles in Northern Ireland
. However, this claim has been challenged several times. Any order to assassinate Wilson would have had to have been relayed to them by Rory O'Connor
(then in charge of British IRA operations) and the last assassination attempt contrived against Wilson had been set to be executed in 1921, not 1922. Tim Pat Coogan
has suggested that Reginald Dunne, who had the confidence of both Michael Collins and Rory O'Connor, undertook the shooting as a last-ditch effort to provoke the British Government into retaliating, thereby uniting both sides of the Nationalists .
Wilson's funeral was a public affair attended by Lloyd George and the cabinet, Foch
, Nivelle
and Weygand
from France as well as many of his former army colleagues including French
, Macready
, Haig
and Robertson. The field marshal was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral
, between Lord Roberts
and Lord Wolseley
.
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Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, (5 May 1864 – 22 June 1922) was an Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish was a term used primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries to identify a privileged social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the Protestant Ascendancy, mostly belonging to the Church of Ireland, which was the established church of Ireland until...
field marshal and Irish Unionist politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was one of the most senior British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
officers of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and played an important role in Anglo-French miltary relations both before the war and in 1914. Later in the war he was military advisor to the British Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, serving as Chief of the Imperial General Staff (professional head of the Army) in the last year of the war. Wilson had been involved in the Curragh Mutiny in 1914 and after the formation of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, he became security advisor to the Northern Ireland Government. After briefly serving as a Member of Parliament, Wilson was assassinated by two Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
volunteers in 1922.
Early career
Wilson was born in Currygrane, BallinaleeBallinalee
Ballinalee, formerly St Johnstown , is a village in north County Longford, Ireland. It is situated on the River Camlin, and falls within the parish of Clonbroney....
, County Longford
County Longford
County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland and was the second son of James and Constance Wilson, of Currygrane. He was educated at Marlborough College
Marlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
, and made unsuccessful attempts to get into the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
colleges Royal Military Academy and Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
between 1880 and 1882.
In 1882, he succeeded in being commissioned as a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Longford Militia (which was a militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the Rifle Brigade) and then transferred to a regular battalion. He briefly transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles in 1884, but quickly returned to the Rifle Brigade.
Wilson was posted to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1885 and in 1886 went to Burma to serve in the Third Burmese War. He received several serious wounds, including an eye wound and one which forced him to use a walking stick for the rest of his life. His injuries refused to heal in India and he returned to Ireland until 1888 when he was passed fit for regimental duty. Wilson in the meantime has been studying for the Staff College at Camberley which he graduated from in December 1893. He was promoted captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
in 1893. From November 1894 he worked in the Intelligence Department of the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
, where his fluent French and German were useful.
He was seconded to the staff in 1895, and in 1897, he became Brigade Major
Brigade Major
In the British Army, a Brigade Major was the Chief of Staff of a brigade. He held the rank of Major and was head of the brigade's "G - Operations and Intelligence" section directly and oversaw the two other branches, "A - Administration" and "Q - Quartermaster"...
of the 3rd Brigade at Aldershot
Aldershot Garrison
Aldershot Garrison, also known as Aldershot Military Town, is a major garrison in South East England. Established in 1854, Aldershot has long been seen as the home of the British Army. The garrison was established when the war department brought a large area of land near to the village of...
, and from 1899 to 1901 he saw active service during the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
with the 4th (Light) Brigade (as a Brigade Major) before becoming Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General and assistant military secretary
Military Secretary
The Military Secretary is the British Army appointment of which the incumbent is responsible for policy direction on personnel management for members of the British Army. It is a senior British Army appointment, held by an officer holding the rank of Major-General. The Military Secretary's...
to Lord Roberts and was Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, and was recommended for brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
promotion to lieutenant-colonel on attaining a substantive majority.
War Office
He returned to England in 1901, and gained both the substantive promotion to major and the promised brevet in December, and became Commanding Officer of the 9th Provisional Battalion, Rifle Brigade at ColchesterColchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
in 1902. In 1903 he became an Assistant Adjutant-General. Promotion came in 1907 when he became a substantive colonel at the beginning of the year, and later a temporary brigadier-general commanding the Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
, Surrey until 1910, when he became Director of Military Operations at the British War Office.
While there he advocated the landing of a British Expeditionary Force in France in case of German attack, and in July 1911 held secret talks with General Dubail (French Chief of Staff) and Adolphe Messimy (French War Minister), although the French seem to have been left with an inflated idea of the size of commitment which Britain would send . The Naval Staff was against this idea, arguing that it would take too long to organise; the Germans would be halfway to Paris by the time it was done. Further, the four to six divisions Britain was expected to be able to muster would have little effect in a war with 70-80+ divisions on each side. They favoured keeping the Army at home, to be landed by the Navy at Antwerp or on the German coast, as the opportunity arose. Wilson, however, successfully argued against the sailors, saying that the high quality of the British soldiers and their use to strengthen the French left against the strong right wing of the German Schlieffen Plan
Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was the German General Staff's early 20th century overall strategic plan for victory in a possible future war in which the German Empire might find itself fighting on two fronts: France to the west and Russia to the east...
would have an effect out of proportion to the numbers involved. Further, the British landing to fight alongside their allies would have an incalculable effect on French morale. He realized the organisational difficulties involved, though, and spent much time planning the deployment of the proposed British Expeditionary Force to France in the event of war. He even spent many of his leaves from duty cycling around Belgium and Northern France. In 1912 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was promoted major-general
Major-General (United Kingdom)
Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
in November 1913.
First World War
In 1914, he surreptitiously supported British Army officers who refused to lead troops against Ulster Unionist opponents of the Third Irish Home Rule Bill in the Curragh Mutiny. He was a staff officer, Deputy Chief of Staff to the BEF and often acting as liaison officer to the French ArmyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
from the start of First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Wilson was initially sceptical of the German invasion of Belgium, feeling that it would be diverted to meet the French thrusts into Lorraine and the Ardennes, but after the Battle of Mons it was clear that the BEF would have to retreat in the face of superior numbers.
Wilson was keen to be promoted to replace General Murray, who had suffered some kind of breakdown during the retreat in 1914, as chief of staff BEF, but this was vetoed by Kitchener (Secretary of State for War, and one of the few senior British players apart from Wilson who could speak fluent French) and Prime Minister Asquith, who felt he was too pro-French and who disliked his taste for what he called "mischief" (intrigue), despite Wilson lobbying French to tell him that their opposition to his promotion was based on personal and (in Asquith's case) political dislike . In the end the BEF Quartermaster-General "Wully" Robertson was promoted to take Murray's job early in 1915, and Wilson continued as deputy chief of staff BEF until Haig became Commander-in-Chief BEF in December 1915.
Wilson did not get on with Haig and wanted to go on half pay but Haig thought this unacceptable for such an able officer in wartime. Robertson advised Haig that Wilson would “do less harm” in France than in England. He was given command of IV Corps in France, despite Haig's belief that Wilson had criticised himself and other British generals, and had instigated an article in "The Observer" suggesting that the BEF be placed under General Foch (commander, French Northern Army Group) . Wilson commanded this corps until 1916. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant-general in January 1915, knighted as a Knight Commander of the Bath in the 1915 King's Birthday Honours, and made a Commander and later Grand Officier of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
for his services. He was also given the honorary appointment of Colonel of the Royal Irish Rifles on 11 November 1915.
In September 1917, he took over the Eastern Command
Eastern Command (United Kingdom)
-History:The Command was established in 1905 from the Fourth Army Corps and was based in London. Among the formations raised under its supervision in World War I was the 12th Division. Its headquarters was initially located at Horseguards in London. During World War II the Command relocated to...
, which allowed him to live in London and worked closely with Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
. In December 1917 he was given the temporary rank of general
General (United Kingdom)
General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. It is subordinate to the Army rank of Field Marshal, has a NATO-code of OF-9, and is a four-star rank....
. In February 1918, he was appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS), after the removal of Sir William Robertson and was the principal military adviser to Lloyd George in the last year of the First World War. Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
wrote "In Sir Henry Wilson the War Cabinet
War Cabinet
A War Cabinet is a committee formed by a government in a time of war. It is usually a subset of the full executive cabinet of ministers. It is also quite common for a War Cabinet to have senior military officers and opposition politicians as members....
found for the first time an expert advisor of superior intellect , who could explain lucidly and forcefully the whole situation and give reasons for the adoption or rejection of any course". One of his first acts was to nearly triple the size of the Tank Corps
Royal Tank Regiment
The Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It was formerly known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps. It is part of the Royal Armoured Corps and is made up of two operational regiments, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment...
from 18,000 to 46,000 men
Army Council (1904)
The Army Council is a governing board for the British military organization. It was created in 1904 along with other institutional changes made in that year to the British Army....
.
After the war, on 3 July 1919, he was promoted to field marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
, awarded £10,000 by the British Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
and made a baronet. He was made a Grand Officier of the Belgian Order of Leopold and awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, and was given the Chinese Order of Chia-Ho
Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain
The Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain , more simply the Order of the Golden Grain, was an award of Nationalist China.-External links:* *...
(Golden Grain), 1st Class "Ta-Shou Pao-Kuang", the American Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, the Siamese Order of the White Elephant
Order of the White Elephant
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
, first class, the Grand Cordon of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
(later "with flowers of the Paulownia
Paulownia
Paulownia is a genus of from 6 to 17 species of plants in the monogeneric family Paulowniaceae, related to and sometimes included in the Scrophulariaceae. They are native to much of China, south to northern Laos and Vietnam, and long cultivated elsewhere in eastern Asia, notably in Japan and Korea...
"), the Grand Cross of the Greek Order of the Redeemer
Order of the Redeemer
The Order of the Redeemer , also known as the Order of the Savior, is an order of Greece. The Order of the Redeemer is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state.- History :...
, and promoted to Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur. At the Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
, he acted as Britain's chief military adviser but found himself in increasing disagreement with Lloyd George. He resigned from the army (being replaced as CIGS by The Earl of Cavan
Frederick Lambart, 10th Earl of Cavan
Field Marshal Frederick Rudolph Lambart, 10th Earl of Cavan, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE was a British Army officer and Chief of the Imperial General Staff.-Army career:...
on 19 February 1922) and became a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for North Down
North Down (UK Parliament constituency)
North Down is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The current MP is Sylvia Hermon, elected as an Independent in the 2010 General Election. -Boundaries:The county constituency was first created in 1885 from the northern part of Down...
in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
victory. In March 1922 he was invited by Sir James Craig
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, PC, PC , was a prominent Irish unionist politician, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland...
's to be come the Northern Ireland Government
Executive Committee of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland
The Executive Committee or the Executive Committee of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland was the government of Northern Ireland created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Generally known as either the Cabinet or the Government, the Executive Committee existed from 1922 to 1972...
's adviser on security.
Death
On 22 June 1922, two London based volunteersVolunteer (Irish republican)
Volunteer, often abbreviated Vol., is a term used by a number of Irish republican paramilitary organisations to describe their members. Among these have been the various forms of the Irish Republican Army and the Irish National Liberation Army...
of the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
(IRA), Reginald Dunne
Reginald Dunne
Reginald Dunne was the second in command of the London branch of the IRA who was hanged after killing Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson.Dunne attended St Ignatius College in Tottenham, North London...
and Joseph O'Sullivan
Joseph O'Sullivan
Joseph O'Sullivan along with Reginald Dunne, was a member of the Irish Republican Army, who shot dead Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes Wilson on his doorstep at 36 Eaton Place in London on 22 June 1922. He was hanged for the killing on 10 August 1922 at Wandsworth Prison...
, shot and killed Wilson as he returned to his house at 36 Eaton Place in London after unveiling the Great Eastern Railway
Great Eastern Railway
The Great Eastern Railway was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia...
war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
in Liverpool Street Station
Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
. Two policemen and a chauffeur were also shot as the men attempted to avoid capture. They were then surrounded by a crowd and arrested by other policemen after a struggle. The guns used by the assassins were sent to David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
and Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
; "There was no Henry Wilson. The Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
and I faced each other, and on the table between us lay the pistols which an hour before had taken this loyal man's life". The House of Commons was immediately adjourned as a mark of respect and King George V sent his equerry
Equerry
An equerry , and related to the French word "écuyer" ) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national...
, Colonel Arthur Erskine
Arthur Erskine
Colonel Sir Arthur Edward Erskine GCVO, DSO , was a British soldier and courtier. He was Crown Equerry in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom from 1924 to 1941.-Background and education:...
, to Eaton Place to convey the royal sympathy to Lady Wilson. A dinner to celebrate the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
's birthday arranged at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
for the evening, was also cancelled. Dunne and O'Sullivan were convicted of murder and hanged on 10 August 1922.
T. Ryle Dwyer suggests that the shooting of Wilson was ordered by Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
General and Commander-in-Chief Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
in retaliation for the continuing troubles in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. However, this claim has been challenged several times. Any order to assassinate Wilson would have had to have been relayed to them by Rory O'Connor
Rory O'Connor (Irish republican)
Rory O'Connor was an Irish republican activist. He is best remembered for his role in the Irish Civil War 1922-1923, which led to his execution.-Background:...
(then in charge of British IRA operations) and the last assassination attempt contrived against Wilson had been set to be executed in 1921, not 1922. Tim Pat Coogan
Tim Pat Coogan
Timothy Patrick Coogan is an Irish historical writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He served as editor of the Irish Press newspaper from 1968 to 1987...
has suggested that Reginald Dunne, who had the confidence of both Michael Collins and Rory O'Connor, undertook the shooting as a last-ditch effort to provoke the British Government into retaliating, thereby uniting both sides of the Nationalists .
Wilson's funeral was a public affair attended by Lloyd George and the cabinet, Foch
Ferdinand Foch
Ferdinand Foch , GCB, OM, DSO was a French soldier, war hero, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing "the most original and subtle mind in the French army" in the early 20th century. He served as general in the French army during World War I and was made Marshal of France in its...
, Nivelle
Robert Nivelle
Robert Georges Nivelle was a French artillery officer who served in the Boxer Rebellion, and the First World War. In May 1916, he was given command of the French Third Army in the Battle of Verdun, leading counter-offensives that rolled back the German forces in late 1916...
and Weygand
Maxime Weygand
Maxime Weygand was a French military commander in World War I and World War II.Weygand initially fought against the Germans during the invasion of France in 1940, but then surrendered to and collaborated with the Germans as part of the Vichy France regime.-Early years:Weygand was born in Brussels...
from France as well as many of his former army colleagues including French
John French, 1st Earl of Ypres
Field Marshal John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres, KP, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG, ADC, PC , known as The Viscount French between 1916 and 1922, was a British and Anglo-Irish officer...
, Macready
Nevil Macready
General Sir Cecil Frederick Nevil Macready, 1st Baronet, GCMG, KCB, PC , known as Sir Nevil Macready and affectionately as Make-Ready , was a British Army officer...
, Haig
Douglas Haig
Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig was a British soldier and senior commander during World War I.Douglas Haig may also refer to:* Club Atlético Douglas Haig, a football club from Argentina* Douglas Haig , American actor...
and Robertson. The field marshal was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
, between Lord Roberts
Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts
Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, Bt, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, PC was a distinguished Indian born British soldier who regarded himself as Anglo-Irish and one of the most successful British commanders of the 19th century.-Early life:Born at Cawnpore, India, on...
and Lord Wolseley
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley
Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley, KP, GCB, OM, GCMG, VD, PC was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army. He served in Burma, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, China, Canada, and widely throughout Africa—including his Ashanti campaign and the Nile Expedition...
.
External links
- 1914-1918.net
- firstworldwar.com
- Stephen's Study Room
- Freedom Party
- Belfast Telegraph 1922
- An Phoblacht article
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