Man Who Gave Robertson His Chance

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7199, 23 April 1930, Page 8

Man Who Gave Robertson His Chance

Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson, the former trooper in the Lancers who ■became Chief of General Staff of the British Army, was 7.0 1/ears of age in February. The following story of ont, competence and good Inch is tjMlbya former superior officer of Sir Brigadier-General IV. B. B. Watei s, C.M.G., C.V.O.

mht«j HEN William Robert Robertson enlisted in the nK\m/Jri 16th Lancers some 50 years ago he little knew WjRUCyIM that, secreted in his kit, there lay that rarest o t military distinctions, the FieldMarshal’s baton. His assets then consisted of a splendid physique and the determination to get on in. the world. He had not a friend to help him, and in those days it was almost impossible for a soldier to obtain a commission, for apart from other hindrances educational facilities were almost wholly lacking. Nevertheless young Robertson’s career was destined to be unique. He was to be the virtual Commander-in-Chief of millions of the Empire’s soldiers in a life-and-death struggle, and was to rise from the lowest to the very highest rung of the ladder of military distinction.

Disheartening Days

Ufe in barracks in former days was often unpleasant for the soldier. The scanty food and harsh discipline tended to make many men intemperate and rough. Their choice lay between a dreary barrack, foom and the canteen, and Robertson, not having the means wherewith to purchase his discharge, contemplated for a moment taking French leave. Instead, however, he stuck grimly to his job, and soon earned unstinted praise, even from his sergeant-major, who, like all sergeants-major, was notoriously difficult to please. Robertson’s gallant captain, Wyld—who is still fortunately with us—told me this. Robertson's grit won the day, and he was awarded a commission. He was posted to a Dragoon regiment, and presently found himself in India, where his. outstanding merit caused his selection for service with the Chitral Relief Force in 1895, and employment at Army Headquarters at Simla, .

The Field-Marshal's Baton in Private ’s Knapsack

He might then have looked forward to a comfortable career in India before finally settling down at home among a crowd of retired officers. * He no sooner surmounted one obstacle,’ however, than he tackled another. This time it was the Staff College in England, where the competition for entrance was intense, for there were only a score or so of vacancies annually. |tobertson captured one of them and graduated triumphantly. He was then due to rejoin his regiment, but it happened that I was at the War Office and had ah unexpected vacancy for an officer. I knew what I wanted, but not where to get it at the moment, although there were plenty of candidates available. Hard-earned Success I therefore studied the confidential reports on officers who had passed through the Staff College, and that pn Robertson attracted me. He was anxious tq come, and I applied for his services. The rule about a tour of regimental duty; was waived. And

so I am in the happy position of having given Robertson his first appointment on the staff at home, and that in the War Office. I wondered once or twice while urging my protege’s claims that I was not ordered to get out of the War Office with him, and to stay out! My Office with him, and to stay out! Meanwhile, the South African political horizon was overclouded, war with the Boers was certain, and the branch dealing with South African problems required extra help, which the financial authorities refused to sanction. None of the other branches would lend an officer, but I loaned Captain Robertson, convinced that this would be mutually beneficial to the service and to himself. Before many months elapsed he was on the staff in the field, whence he emerged as a lieutenant-colonel. He rejoined the War Office, where he remained until appointed in 1907 tothd 1 headquarter staff at Aldershot. Then came the really critical moment of his career. His rapid advancement had raised jealous and powerful influences against him, but fortune was once more on his side, and he was appointed commandant of the Staff College. Thereafter he never looked back. From the Staff College he became director of military training at the War Office until the cataclysm overwhelmed the world in 1914. Thenceforward his rise was even more spectacular. From quartermastergeneral in France, he became chief of the Imperial General Staff, and commander-in-chief of the Army on the Rhine, while honours and rewards poured thickly upon him ' within 20 years of his first entry into thq War Office. , I had not seen nor heard from Robertson for several years until the summer of 1916, when he sent me to the unfortunate Emperor of. Russia, whom I had known well in former days. Before my departure, he made an apt remark: “Well, how the hands of the clock go round.” He Will attain his seventieth birthday on Thursday. In wishing him many happy returns of the day, I take a pardonable pride in congratulating myself on .my foresight in having fought that fierce battle on his behalf some 30 years ago., Robertson’s career is unparalleled in the British Army. It also teaches a lesson:* Do what you ought to do with all youf might-