General Sir Archibald Percival Wavell

General Sir Archibald P. Wavell

Field Marshal, Rt Hon Earl, Sir Archibald Percival, Lord Wavell (GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, KCB, CB, MC.).

He was born on 5 May 1883 in Colchester, Essex, the son of Major-General A.G. Wavell CBE.

He married Engenie Marie CI (awarded in 1943), the only child of Colonel Owen Quirk CB DSO, in 1915 and reered one son, heir Viscount Keren MC, and three daughters.

Wavell was educated at Winchester College, the Royal Military College at Standhurst and then the Staff College.

Appointed to 42nd Highland Regiment (The Black Watch) in 1901 and served in the South African Boer War, medal with four clasps.
Indian Frontier in 1908, medal with clasp.
In the Great World War of 1914-1918, serving in France 1914-1916, wounded and awarded the Military Cross (MC).
Military Attache with Russian Army in the Caucasua, October 1916 - June 1917, bestowed with Orders of St. Vladimir and St. Stanislas.
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 1917 with Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 1917-1920.
Brigadier-General General Staff (BGGS) XX Corps 1918-1919.
BGGS of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force 1919-1920.
CMG in 1919.
Military Cross and promoted Colonel 1921.
Commander, 6th Infantry Brigade, Aldershot, 1930-1934.
Appointed Aide De Camp (ADC) to the King 1932-1933. Major-General 1933.
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) created 1935.
Commander, 2nd Division, Aldershot, 1935-1937.
Commanded British troops in Palestine and Transjordan 1937-1938.
Lieutenant-General 1938.
General Officer Commander-in-Chief Southern Command 1938-1939.
Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB) created 1939. Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, 1939-1941.
General 1940. Knight Grand Cross of Bath (GCB) created 1941.
Commander-in-Chief, India, 1941-1943.
Supreme Commander, South West Pacific, ABDA Command, January - March 1942.
ADC to the King 1941-1943.
Privy Councilor 1943.
Field-Marshal 1943.
Viceroy and Governor-General of India, 1943-1947.
GCSI created 1943.
GCIE created 1943.
Viscount Wavell of Cyrenaica and of Winchester, 1943.
Chancellor Aberdeen University since 1945.
Honourary Colonel of the 42nd/73rd Royal Highlanders Regiment 1946.
Viscount Keren of Eritea and Winchester, 1947.
1st Earl created 1947.
High Steward of Colchester since 1947.
Constable of the Tower of London since 1948.
Lord Lieutenant of the County of London, 1949.
Governor of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stafford-on-Avon, since 1949.

Other accolades include, LL.D. (St. Andrews), D.C.L. (Oxford), LL.D. (Cambridge, Aberdeen and London), Commander Legion of Honour, Order of the Nile, Order of El Nahda, Order of George (Greece) and the Greek Military Cross, Virtnti Militari (Poland), Seal of Solomon (Ethiopia), Czechoslovakian Military Cross, Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands), Ch.C. Legion of Merit (USA), Star of Nepal, Cloud and Banner (China).

Publications written, The Palestine Campaigns 1928, Allenby 1940, Generals and Generalship 1941, Allenby in Egypt 1943, Other Men's Flowers (Anthology) 1944, Speaking Generally 1946 and The Good Soldier 1947. Recreations, golf and shooting.

He died on 24 May 1950.