Hubert Gough in United Kingdom

History of the Sir Hubert Gough (1870-1963)

The following commentary about Sir Hubert Gough (1870-1963) in the Churchill Era is produced by the Churchill College (Cambridge): Much-criticised commander of the British Fifth Army on the Somme in 1918. His heavily under-strength forces broke before the German spring offensive in March 1918.

Joining the 16th Lancers in 1889, Gough served with distinction in the Boer War, 1899-1902. Between 1904 and 1906 he taught as a Professor in the Army’s Staff College, returning to command with the 16th Lancers, 1907-1911. From 1914 Gough took command of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, being promoted to the 2nd Cavalry Division and 7th Division, 1915, the First Army Corps in 1916 and the Fifth Army, 1916-1918. Gough led the Fifth Army at the battles of Pozières, Thiepval and Beaumont-Hamel, and in operations on the Ancre, Langemark, and St Quentin. After the war he headed the Allied Mission to the Baltic in 1919, retiring in 1922.