John French in United Kingdom

History of the Field Marshal 1st Lord French, formerly General Sir John French and later 1st Lord Ypres

The following commentary about Field Marshal 1st Lord French, formerly General Sir John French and later 1st Lord Ypres in the Churchill Era is produced by the Churchill College (Cambridge): Commander of the British Expeditionary Force (part of the Army available for service in Europe) in 1914.

French joined the army in 1874, later serving with particular distinction as a cavalry general in the Boer War. He then became commander of the 1st Army Corps, 1901-1907 and Chief of Imperial General Staff (responsible for co-ordinating the armed forces of Britain and the Empire) 1911-1914, and Inspector-General of the Forces, 1907-1911 and 1914. On the outbreak of war he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in France, 1914-1915, and oversaw the fighting retreat the BEF had to make after the Battle of Mons in 1914. He was replaced by Sir Douglas Haig in December 1915, which he resented bitterly, and returned home as Commander-in-Chief of the troops stationed in the United Kingdom, 1915-1918. After the war he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1918-1921.