Command and Leadership

Abstract

It was noted earlier that holding the position of GOC of a TF division in August 1914 did not necessarily hinder a major-general’s future career. The same could be said of the first replacements of the original GOCs in place when war was declared. Ignoring 43rd, 44th and 45th Divisions and the several short-term temporary appointments, of the first 12 replacements of the original GOCs, whose dates of appointments ranged from 5 August to the end of August 1916, five were later promoted to lieutenant-general or posted to higher status commands; two went from command to the Retired List and one died. Nine had served apprenticeships as a staff captain, DAAG or other staff posts, with five having served as GSO1. Nine of them had also passed staff college, two had already been GOC of TF divisions and two others had served as adjutant to a militia or RV unit. Commissioned in the 1870s and 1880s, with five being drawn from the RA, they could be classified as a representative cross section of the pre-war British Army hierarchy, an image that was not materially to alter during the course of the war.