22 chapters
6 hour read
Selected Chapters
22 chapters
GENERAL GATACRE
GENERAL GATACRE
THE STORY OF THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF SIR WILLIAM FORBES GATACRE, K.C.B., D.S.O. 1843-1906 BY BEATRIX GATACRE WITH PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND ILLUSTRATIONS What I aspired to be And was not, comforts me. R. B. LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. 1910 PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBURY. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO TWO FRIENDS WITHOUT WHOSE SYMPATHY AND ASSISTANCE IT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN WRITTEN Assured of worthiness, we do not dread Competi
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PREFACE
PREFACE
The main object in laying this book before the public is to provide an authentic narrative of Sir William Gatacre's work in South Africa. At the time of his recall no despatch giving the reason for this step was published, but a letter dealing with this matter has since appeared as an Appendix in the Official History of the war; it is with reluctance that I have been persuaded to reprint this letter at the end of this volume. It seemed, however, that Sir William's previous career was such a larg
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
GATACRE According to a venerable Shropshire antiquarian, that county "has ever been inhabited by a race of men characteristic for uniformity of principle and energy of action."[ 1 ] Mr. Eyton goes on to tell of various places mentioned in the Domesday Book, and among these of the Manor of Claverley, which included a very large tract of country, and is described as an "ancient demesne of the Crown." The Manor of Claverley was broken up into various townships, to three of which he accords special
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II
TO INDIA AND BACK 1862 The 77th Regiment was raised in 1787, and for twenty years served in India, taking part in the fierce campaigns against Tippoo Sahib in 1790-91, in the storming of Seringapatam in 1799, and in many minor operations. On their colours are also recorded the suggestive names, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Peninsula. In the Crimea they had charged at the Alma and at Inkerman; they had shivered in the trenches before Sebastopol, and had ta
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
RANGOON 1880 At the expiration of his term of office at Aldershot, in May 1880, Captain Gatacre took short leave home, and then rejoined the 77th at Dover. The regiment had been already warned for India in the next trooping season, but the news of our misfortune at Maiwand hastened their departure, and in August 1880 they were hurriedly embarked at only a fortnight's notice. To Gatacre the hope of seeing active service must have more than compensated for a disappointment he had expressed at not
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
SECUNDERABAD 1884 I have read in a recent biography of Alexander Hamilton that "the power of his intellect was hardly suspected under the ambush of his extraordinary charm."[ 1 ] This was equally true of Gatacre. Moreover, the high standard of his physical endowments was in itself a mask to his mental abilities; in reality, his physical force was but the evidence and the result of his intellectual energy. [ 1 ] Alexander Hamilton, by F. S. Oliver, p. 149. Camp of exercise He turned the whole of
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER V
BLACK MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION Sir Frederick Roberts succeeded Sir Donald Stewart as Commander-in-Chief in India in 1885. After short leave home the new Chief returned just in time to preside over a great concentration of troops near Delhi in December of that year. It was the biggest thing of the sort that had yet been attempted; the manoeuvres occupied about three weeks, and concluded on January 8, 1886, with a Grand Review in which about 35,000 men took part. It would have been a splendid sight, ha
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VI
MANDALAY It was with difficulty that the British Government had lived so long at peace with Theebaw, King of Burma. In 1883 he sent a mission to Europe, ostensibly to study western civilisation, but it was recognised that in reality he was making advances to the French Government, who were of course our neighbours on the east, in Siam. There was also friction over the demarcation of the Manipur frontier on the west, but the actual ground for the outbreak of hostilities arose over a commercial qu
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII
POONA Brigadier-General Gatacre took over the duties of Adjutant-General to the Bombay Army on November 25, 1890, under Sir George Greaves as Commander-in-Chief. His deputy in the office was surprised to find that Gatacre was not so regular in his attendance as might have been expected, and noticed other signs that suggested that he was unhappy and had something on his mind. His colleague was quite right. Gatacre was indeed passing through a severe and prolonged trial, one about which he could t
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER VIII
BOMBAY Colara Although the climate of Bombay, which is situated on the nineteenth parallel, did not offer the attractions of Poona, and although the appointment brought no promotion in army rank, still Gatacre welcomed the change of work, and the accession of dignity and opportunity afforded by an independent command. On January 30, 1894, his selection for the command of the Bombay District was gazetted, and shortly afterwards he moved into the bungalow in the Marine Lines, which then formed the
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER IX
CHITRAL The annual inspections in the Bombay District for the season 1894-5 had all been carried out, confidential reports were rapidly being filled in, and got ready to forward to Headquarters, the arrangements for the sailing of the last transport were all settled, and all work was beginning to slacken in Bombay with the approach of the hot weather. Gatacre was making a push to conclude the season's work with a view to taking eight months' leave to England. In theory this long leave can be sec
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER X
QUETTA On November 10, 1895, a few familiar words were read once more in a village church in Sussex, the old-world troth was given and plighted, and the face of the earth was changed thereby for the two persons most concerned. The General had been unable to take more than ninety days' privilege leave, and therefore had to be back in Bombay early in January. The drill season was already far advanced, the programme for the inspection of the various regiments in the outlying stations included in th
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XI
THE PLAGUE In the Report issued by the Bombay Plague Committee of 1897 it is shown that 27,597 persons died of that disease between August 8, 1896, and June 30, 1897; while the total mortality from all causes for the same period was 45,886. This is more than one-twentieth of the normal average population given as 850,000.[ 1 ] [ 1 ] See Chart 3, issued with the Report on the Bubonic Plague , by Brigadier-General W. F. Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O., 1897. When the disease first declared itself, the Press
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
FROM ALDERSHOT TO BERBER 1897 When Gatacre reached Aldershot on Sunday, August 11, 1897, he found that his Brigade was already engaged in manoeuvres. The training was so arranged that year that though a continuous scheme was carried on from day to day, the troops returned each evening to their barracks. His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who commanded the Aldershot District, sent a kind message of welcome to the new Brigadier, saying that he would not expect to see him out for the first f
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
ATBARA AND OMDURMAN Combined force All through the winter every movement on the part of the Dervish leaders was carefully watched by the gun-boats on the Nile and the Egyptian cavalry on its banks. The Intelligence Department had a system of espionage by which the feeling inside Omdurman was made known to them. The Sirdar knew that the Khalifa was unwilling to turn out his main army, but that a large force was preparing to move out of Metemma under the combined command of the Emir Mahmoud and th
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XIV
COLCHESTER Festivities On November 15, 1898, the Honours Gazette for the recent campaign was published, and Gatacre found himself a Knight Commander of the Bath. Having also been awarded the Second Class of the Imperial Order of the Medjidieh by His Highness the Khedive, he was now in possession of two stars as well as two additional war medals. He had the honour of receiving his knighthood at the hands of Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Windsor on December 10, 1898. Not long afterwards he receive
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
CAPE COLONY It was with great reluctance that Sir Redvers Buller had been persuaded to give any forecast to the War Office in London of the disposition of troops he intended to make on reaching Capetown. But whatever these may have been, he found on his arrival that the situation had so materially changed that he had to rearrange his plans to suit the emergency. The Boers were bringing so much pressure to bear on Ladysmith, where Sir George White had established his headquarters, and on Kimberle
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVI
ORANGE FREE STATE The anxiety felt by the commanders of the three detached forces in South Africa was shared by the nation at home. The telegrams sent to England by Sir Redvers Buller showed that the state of affairs in Natal after the battle of Colenso was very critical, and that only prompt and ample reinforcements would be of any avail. Troops of all arms were despatched to Capetown as fast as ships could be got ready to carry them, and Field-Marshal Lord Roberts was appointed Commander-in-Ch
25 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVII
BACK TO COLCHESTER Since the Book of Job was written steadfastness in adversity has ever been considered as a virtue of high order. Indeed, what need is there in a Christian country to insist that want of success in the affairs of this world is not incompatible with an unsullied conscience and a stainless shield? From Capetown Gatacre sent a telegram begging Lord Roberts to give some reason for his action, and in reply received a letter which (while declining to discuss the main issue) closes wi
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII
ABYSSINIA Although Gatacre undoubtedly indulged hopes of further employment, he had not much confidence in such expectations. While prepared to move onwards should his desires be fulfilled, he was simultaneously safeguarding his retreat. During the manoeuvres he had made inquiries about the working of the Remount Department in the counties, and had discovered that there was a post open to him which would provide both congenial occupation and reasonable remuneration, namely £500 a year in additio
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
On Saturday, May 26, 1906, an alabaster tablet bearing the inscription given below was dedicated by the Rev. H. Hensley Henson, Canon of Westminster, in Claverley Church, Shropshire. IN LOVING MEMORY OF SIR WILLIAM FORBES GATACRE MAJOR-GENERAL KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE BATH A MEMBER OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER HOLDING THE KAISER-I-HIND GOLD MEDAL AND OF THE ORDER OF THE MEDJIDIEH AND KNIGHT OF GRACE OF THE ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM THIRD SON OF EDWARD LLOYD GATACRE ESQ OF GATACRE IN
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
REASONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF LIEUT.-GENERAL GATACRE[1]
REASONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF LIEUT.-GENERAL GATACRE[1]
[ 1 ] See Official History , vol. ii. p. 614. In a memorandum to the Secretary of State for War, dated April 16, 1900, Lord Roberts set forth his reasons for the step he had taken in removing Lieut.-General Sir William Gatacre from the command of the 3rd Division. With reference to the defeat at Stormberg, Lord Roberts explained the view he had taken as follows: "In my opinion, Lieut.-General Gatacre on this occasion showed a want of care, judgment, and even of ordinary military precautions, whi
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter