Title: Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson : a political soldier /
Authors: Jeffery, Keith.
Publisher: Oxford University Press,
Year: 2006
Subjects: Wilson, Henry Hughes,; Wilson, Henry,; World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain Biography.; Marshals Great Britain Biography.; Great Britain History, Military
Abstract: "Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, an Irishman who in June 1922 was assassinated on his doorstep in London by Irish republicans, was one of the most controversial British soldiers of the modern age. Before 1914 he did much to secure the Anglo-French alliance and was responsible for the planning which saw the British Expeditionary Force successfully despatched to France after the outbreak of war with Germany. A passionate Irish unionist, he gained a reputation as an intensely 'political' soldier, especially during the 'Curragh crisis' of 1914 when some officers resigned their commissions rather than coerce Ulster unionists into a Home Rule Ireland.
Contents: The Irish context -- The making of a staff officer -- South Africa -- Work in the War Office -- The Staff College -- Preparing for war -- Politics, the Irish question, and war -- With the BEF -- IV Corps -- Coalition warfare -- Winning the war -- Defending the empire -- Losing Ireland and saving Ulster -- Death and reputation.