The chronicle=news., 1914-11-16

OF true soldier he was to be found
in the thick of the fighting during
the bloody campaign in India. in
which he first distinguished himself
by his bravery and won the Victoria
Cross by rescuing British standard
and saving the life of Sowaron
during the action of khodagunge, on
January 9, 1858.
He took part in numerous battles
and skirmishes and ives seven times
mentioned In dispatches between De-
cember IS, 1857, and June 8, 1858.
and also received the thanks of the
governor general. The rules of the
corps to which he belon ged, however,
stood in the way of his promotion,
and 1t was not until November ~.
l $50, that he became captain and
on the next day was made brevet
major. In that rank he remained
eight years He was made quarter
masrer general of the Second division
in the Abyesilfian expedition in 1868
and sdperintended the re-embarka-
tion of the entire army. For this he
was made lieutenant colonel, but his
staff position remained unaltered.
Not until he had been for three years
division quartermaster general of
Bengal that he became full colonel
and on the following day he was
made quartermaster general of Ben
gal.
When the Afghan war broke out
Lord Lytton specially selected Rob-
|erts for the command OF a column
and the brilliant generalship and dis
tinguished bravery which Roberts
displayed during the numerous ac-
lions of that war proved the emf.
nent wisdom of Lord Lyttons' choice.
lit was Roberts who captured the At
CHAN positions at Peiwar Mota1. who
occupied the district of Khost and
Cabul and distinguished himself in
the desperate battle of Charasia. 1t
was Roberts who was selected by
Field Marshal Sir Donald Stewart to
lead the dcsh for Kandahar. 1t was
in recognition of these eminent serv-
ices that he was created first Baron
of kandaliar and Waterford.
In 1881 he was sent to South
Africa, but found nothing to do
when he got there. and the same
year he was given the command OF
the troops in the Madras presidency,
which troops, like those OF Bombay.
Bengal, the Onjab, etc, were later.
on Roberts advice. amalgamated
into one Indian army with not presi-
Dental but divisional commands.
After four years in Madras he was.
with universal applause. Lord Wolse-
ley having for the second time de-
clined the post. made comniander-in-
chief in India. But Roberts was not
satisfied with resting in his admins
trative position. He was eager for
fghting and took over the command
in Burmah after the capture Of Man
delay and directed the movements,
which in course of time. reduced to
practical obedience the old realm OF
Theebaw That work done. he re-
turned to India, intent on realizing
the dream of his later life, and max
ing the north and northeast from
tiers of the great dependency safe
against invasion.
the forces in Ireland in 1895 and re-
NAMED in that position until 1899.
when, after tile outbreak of the Boer
war, he was made command-in-,hief
In South Africa. He relieved kimber-
10y in February. 1900. took Com
nfandant Cronje and the western
Boer army prisoners and returned
to England in 1900, laden with
honors, and the idol Of the British
people. He was created Earl of Kan
dahar. Pretoria and Waterford in
1902 and was made knight of the
Garter, receiving a medaf' with six
clasps. There was only one more,
the highest honor. that could be be-
slowed upon him. the position OF
comm of the British
army and to this post he was elevated
and he held the position until his re-
tirement from active service in 1904.
Since then Earl Roberts lived in COM
narrative retirement. devoting himself
to recreation and literary work. In
July. 1908. he was one of the guests
of honor in attendance at the tri-
centenary celebration at Quebec.
Earl Roberts was married in 1859
to Nora Henrietta. daughter OF the
late Captain John Bews, who bore
him two children. His only son, the
Hon. Frederick Hugh Sherston Rob-
erts, VINO was lieutenant in the Brit
ish army under General Butler dur
ing the Boer war, war killed after
brilliant lighting at Colenso. before
the Victoria Cross, which he had
earned by previous distinguished
services, had been. presented to him.
The cross was afterwards given to
Earl Roberts. with the rare privilege
to wear IL on the right side OF his
breast. =. .
fs-R & Il