HAIG, DOUGLAS, 1st Earl, British Commander-in-Chief in the World War. He was born in 1861, and was educated at Clifton and Brasenose College, Oxford. In 1885, he joined the 7th Hussars and served in the Soudan in 1898, distin guishing himself at Atbara and Khar toum, being mentioned in despatches, Brevet-Major, British medal, Khedive's medal with two clasps. When the war against the Boer Republic broke out in 1899, he went to south Africa and com manded cavalry in Natal, being C. S. O. to General French during the Colesberg operations; A. A. G. Cavalry Division, 1900. In 1901-1902 he commanded a group of columns and was mentioned in des patches, becoming A. D. C. to the King, Brevet-Colonel, Commander of the Bath, receiving also the Queen's medal with seven clasps and the King's medal. Dur ing 1901-1903 he was Lieutenant-Colonel Commander of the 17th Lancers and dur ing 1903-1906 Inspector-General of the Cavalry in India. He became Major General in 1904, and Lieutenant-Gen eral in 1910, becoming in 1914, General for distinguished service, following the outbreak of the World War. Up to that period his military experience had been varied. During 1906-1907 he had been Director of Military Training and during 1907-1909 Director of Staff Duties at Army Headquarters. In 1909-1912 he was Chief of Staff in India, and was Gen eral Officer Commanding at Aldershot in 1912-1914. In the World War he com
manded the 1st Army in 1914-1915, and from 1915 to the end of the war was Commander-in-Chief of the Expedition ary Forces in France and Flanders. It was during the great retreat toward Amiens in 1917, when the renewed energy of the Germans made it appear that the British Army was about to be routed and the French Atlantic ports were to fall into their hands, that Haig uttered his call to America, declaring that he and his men had "their backs to the wall." He continued as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army till 1919. He was made Lord Rector of St. Andrew's Uni versity in 1917, and, among the other honors that were showered on him dur ing the war, received the Grand Cordon Legion of Honour, Grand Cross Order of Leopold, Grand Cross St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, Obolitch Gold Medal (Monte negro), 1st Class Order of Danilo, and 4th Class of St. George (Russia). He was present at the negotiations with the Germans and at the Council of Versailles. Following the war he spent much of his time on the Haig property in Fife and Midlothian. In 1907, he wrote a book called "Cavalry Studies."