Biography

British general and one of the most successful military commanders of his time.

Frederick Sleigh Roberts war born in India where his military career started when he joined the East India Company Army. He served as an officer in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 during which he was awarded the Victorian Cross for gallantry. After the end of the conflict he was transferred to the British Army with which he fought in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War. His achievements during these battles earned him widespread fame amongs the British Forces and the British public.

His military career continued to ascend as he served as the Commander-in-Chief in India before leading British Forces to success in the Second Boer War. He also became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904.

Roberts became a revered military figure in Britain and a symbol for the British Army as well as an influential figure during the increasing threat the German Empire posed in the lead up to the First World War.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: