Sir John French C-in-C 1914 - 1915 photo

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello All,

A few years ago I discovered that sterioscope cards were an inexpensive source of period military photos. The Boer War, WW I and even the eariler Russo-Japanese War are well represented. Most people skulking about antiques shops and malls are not looking for military so there is quite often treasures to be found. "Skulking" is my wife's term for what I like to do on weekends.

Anyway, I was hoping that some of the members might be able to help with the identification of the gentlemen in this photo. The title of this card is, "F.M. Sir John French, C-in-C in France, with A.D.C. at General Head Quarters". The card is not dated and the copyright date was smudged upon original printing. It would have to be early in the war as Sir John French was sacked in 1915 to be replaced by Sir Douglas Haig. I am especially interested in the gentleman in the turban. He wears a whistle on his "Sam Brown" and with my microscope I can read the King's cyper "GR" on his belt buckel. The writing above the cypher is too small to read even under the microscope.

I would like to identify all of the men in this photo and I hope you might be able to help.

Many thanks.

Cheers

Brian

[Tom Morgan]

At last! A question I can answer! This is Kwajah Mohammed Khan, a member of Sir John's personal staff. I can tell you no more than this, but a photograph obviously taken at the same time appears in The Little Field Marshal by Richard Holmes, a biography of sir John French, and this name appears in the caption. It does not appear in the index, unfortunately.

The other officers named are, Fitz Watt on the left and Maj. Jack Dawnay on the right.

Tom

[Brian Wolfe]

At last! A question I can answer! This is Kwajah Mohammed Khan, a member of Sir John's personal staff. I can tell you no more than this, but a photograph obviously taken at the same time appears in The Little Field Marshal by Richard Holmes, a biography of sir John French, and this name appears in the caption. It does not appear in the index, unfortunately.

The other officers named are, Fitz Watt on the left and Maj. Jack Dawnay on the right.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Many, many thanks on the identification. I have been searching through book after book with out any luck. I am happier with this information than I was to get the photo.

Cheers

Brian

[Great Dane]

Tom,

Does The Little Field Marshal mention which foreign awards French received (and when)?

/Mike

[Tom Morgan]

Mike, I'm afraid not. The only reference I can find is to some of Sir John's British awards, honorary degrees, orders of knighthood, etc. I can't find any reference to foreign awards though he must certainly have been awarded several.

Tom