Lives of the First World War

Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 1915. General William Riddell Birdwood outside his dugout at Anzac.Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 1915 .

General William Birdwood on his last visit to Anzac Cove, at midday on 19th December 1915; on the evening of that day the withdrawal began. His last day at Anzac as the Commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was 16 October 1915.

In uniform

The grave of General Sir William Birdwood and his family is in Twickenham Cemetery. The Australian Government pays for the upkeep of the grave.

Digital scan of photographic print of General Birdwood in his dugout at Gallipoli.

A group of five officers in a gully on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Identified left to right (seated, nearest the camera): Captain George Frederick Wootten, Captain Cecil Duncan Sasse and Major Frederick James Kindon, all of the 1st Battalion; possibly Major William Davidson, 1st Battalion, who died of wounds on 19 August 1915. Standing: General William Riddell Birdwood, Officer Commanding the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The wooden crate on the far right contains or contained 50 pounds of biscuits.

Portrait of Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood GCB, GCMG, GCVO, KCB, wearing a slouch hat. The hat was presented to him during a tour of Australia, where he was warmly received. The inscription reads 'W R Birdwood'. Birdwood began his career in the Indian Army, and was a protege of Lord Kitchener. In November 1914 Kitchener, as Secretary of State for War, appointed Birdwood to command the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in November 1914; becoming a full general in 1917, he continued in the role until May 1918, when he was made commander of the British Fifth Army. His interest in the men, high principle and considerable bravery made him an effective, popular leader. After the war he returned to India and commanded the Northern Army; he was Commander in Chief in India from 1925 to 1930. In 1916 he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by France, and was made a Grand Officer (Second Class) of the Legion of Honour. He was also made a Grand Officer of the Order of La Couronne (Belgium)

image: the shell of a ruined church sited on a knoll. There are three mounted officers travelling down the road in the right foreground, the foremost officer being General William Birdwood.