Herbert Lawrence
General Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Southgate, North London, England |
| Died | January 17, 1943 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | British Army officer, banker, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1882–1919 (military) |
| Known for | Chief of Staff to Douglas Haig during WWI, chairman of Vickers and Glyn's Bank |
General Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence, (8 August 1861 – 17 January 1943), was a distinguished British Army officer, banker, and entrepreneur.
He worked closely with Major Douglas Haig as the Intelligence chief on General French's staff during the Second Boer War and later served as Haig’s Chief of Staff in the concluding year of the First World War.
Early life
Lawrence was born in Southgate, North London, as the son of Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence, who held the position of Governor-General of India. His education took place at Harrow School followed by training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Military career
In 1882, Lawrence was commissioned as a lieutenant into the 17th Lancers. He was stationed in India and advanced to captain in 1892 before enrolling at the Staff College, Camberley. By 1897, he had been appointed staff captain (intelligence) at the War Office, taking over from future field marshal Henry Wilson. During the Second Boer War, he received a promotion to major in 1899 and served on Sir John French’s cavalry intelligence staff alongside Douglas Haig. In 1900, he was awarded a brevet rank of lieutenant colonel. His service earned him two mentions in despatches and the Queen's South Africa Medal adorned with six clasps.
Although he resigned his commission in 1903 to focus on banking and a directorship at the Midland Railway, Lawrence maintained honorary military roles, including serving as honorary colonel of the Territorial Force from 1908.
With the outbreak of World War I, he was recalled to duty and acted as a general staff officer in Egypt and Gallipoli. Elevated to brigadier general in 1915, he took command of the 127th (Manchester) Brigade and soon after was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, where he supervised the Gallipoli evacuation at Cape Helles. By 1916, he had risen to major general and then temporary lieutenant general, achieving notable success at the Battle of Romani before assuming command of the 71st Home Service Division.
In 1917, Lawrence led the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division in France prior to his appointment as chief intelligence officer on Haig’s staff in January 1918. He replaced Sir Launcelot Kiggell as Chief of the General Staff for the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), reaching full general rank by June 1919 and stepping down later that year.
His honors include being named Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1917 and later elevated to Knight Grand Cross in 1926. Internationally, he received France’s Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre, Romania’s Order of the Star, and was awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal for his vital role in Allied coordination during WWI.
From 1919 until 1938, he served as colonel of the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers, later transferring to lead the combined 17th/21st Lancers. Additionally, he held colonelcy of the Manchester Regiment between 1925 and 1932.
Later life
Following his military career, Lawrence contributed to public service as a member of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry in 1925. He became a trustee for the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1926 and also served as a governor at Wellington College. His business leadership included chairmanships at Vickers starting in 1926 and Glyn's Bank from 1934 onward, alongside chairing multiple other banks and holding directorships across various companies. His residences included Dean's Place in Alfriston before relocating to Little Berkhamsted.
He passed away in 1943 and was interred near Sevenoaks, Kent. In 1892, he married Isabel Mary Mills, daughter of Charles Mills, 2nd Baron Hillingdon. Their two sons, Oliver James Lawrence and Michael Charles Lawrence, both lost their lives during World War I.