Henry Fuller Maitland Wilson

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Sir Henry Fuller Maitland Wilson
Born18 February 1859
2nd Afghan War

2nd Boer War

First World War

Awards
Rifle Brigade

Salonikan campaign
.

Family background and early career

Wilson was born on 18 February 1859, the second son of Lieut-Col

Rifle Brigade
in January 1878.

India

Joining the 4th

Mahsud Waziris.[11] That year he became adjutant of his battalion, and was promoted to captain in 1884.[12]

On 29 April 1884 Wilson married Charlotte Elise Gough (died 17 August 1942), the daughter of

John Gough, were her cousins.[13] In 1887, shortly after he took command of the Lahore Division, Sir Hugh appointed his son-in-law as his aide-de-camp.[14]

Home service and South Africa

Wilson returned to regimental duty after two years, and in 1892 was appointed adjutant of 5th Bn Rifle Brigade. This was a

mentions in despatches for his services.[15] Wilson then became second-in-command of 4th Bn Rifle Brigade in Dublin, but was back in South Africa with the battalion for the final operations in the Orange Free State in early 1902,[16] for which he received a further mention in despatches.[17] After peace was declared in May 1902, he left South Africa on board the SS Bavarian and arrived in the United Kingdom the following month.[18]

Wilson received the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel on 7 November 1902

12th Infantry Brigade, based at Dover.[23]

First World War

France and Flanders

12th Brigade formed part of 4th Division of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), ready to go overseas in the event of hostilities. When the European War broke out in August 1914, the 4th Division proceeded to France as soon as its coastal defence duties could be handed over. The division arrived at the front on 26 August, hungry, wet and weary after a night march, and was rushed into action at the Battle of Le Cateau.[24] Wilson's 12th Bde was taken by surprise and suffered heavy casualties, but rallied and held the extreme left of the British line until the BEF was able to retreat.[25] On 9 September the commander of 4th Division was disabled by an accident and Wilson took over as acting GOC, leading it at the crossing of the Aisne on 13–14 September.[26]

The BEF next moved to the

Kaiser, and did not need to retire to positions that had been prepared in the rear. The division continued to hold its line in front of Ploegsteert ('Plug Street') Wood for the duration of the 1st Battle of Ypres.[29]

When the

lieutenant-general as GOC of the newly organised XII Corps.[32]

Salonika

In November 1915, XII Corps was sent from France with

British Salonika Force (BSF) took Wilson's staff to establish his own HQ,[33] and Wilson was left unemployed for a month. On 14 December 1915 the War Office sanctioned the establishment of two corps within the BSF and Wilson reformed XII Corps.[34]

After a period holding the defensive position known as 'the Birdcage' around Salonika, XII Corps moved up-country in July 1916, taking over former French positions, but only part of Wilson's command was involved in the fighting during the summer and autumn.

Sir George Milne decided that his manpower was too limited, and reduced Wilson's plan to a smaller assault on the first defence line only, preceded by a three-day bombardment to neutralise enemy batteries and destroy trenches and barbed wire. This of course lost the element of surprise in Wilson's plan, but the Bulgarians were well aware of what was coming. Only three brigades were engaged, but the casualties were high and little ground was gained. Despite Wilson's misgivings, Milne ordered a second attack two weeks later. The assault troops managed to cross no man's land, but it was difficult to get information back to HQs, and some companies simply disappeared.[38]

This

armistice with the Allies on 29 September, but the BSF continued to advance across Bulgaria towards the Turkish frontier, until the Ottoman Turks also signed the Armistice of Mudros on 31 October.[40]

Postwar

Wilson was appointed GOC Allied Forces

occupation, arranging the handover of Turkish munitions and defences, and the repatriation not only of released Allied POWs but of some 10,000 German troops left behind in Turkey.[41]

Wilson was promoted to substantive lieutenant-general on 1 January 1919,[42] and on 11 February he ceased to command XII Corps, becoming instead Commander, Allied Forces Turkey in Europe, British Salonika Army, and British Army of the Black Sea, which combined posts he held until 18 November 1920. He retired on 13 July the following year.[12] In retirement he was appointed colonel-commandant of 2nd Bn Rifle Brigade 1921–29.[43] He died on 16 November 1941.[9]

Family

Sir Henry and Lady Wilson had three children:

  • Arthur Henry Maitland Wilson, b 22 January 1885, accidentally killed 29 January 1918.
  • Hugh Maitland Wilson, 6 April 1886.
  • Muriel Maitland Wilson, died unmarried 25 June 1950.

Notes

  1. ^ https://www.myheritage.com/names/henry_wilson
  2. ^ London Gazette 22 June 1915.
  3. ^ a b Burke's 'Wilson'
  4. ^ London Gazette 24 June 1910.
  5. ^ London Gazette 22 February & 10 September 1901, 29 July 1902.
  6. ^ London Gazette 1 May 1917.
  7. ^ London Gazette 9 November 1918.
  8. ^ London Gazette 26 November 1919.
  9. ^ a b Burke’s 'Wilson'.
  10. ^ India List July 1878
  11. ^ a b c Hart’s Army List.
  12. ^ a b Army List.
  13. ^ Burke’s 'Wilson'; Farrar-Hockley, Goughie.
  14. ^ India List 1888.
  15. ^ London Gazette 22 February & 10 September 1901.
  16. ^ Hart’s Army List; Army List
  17. ^ London Gazette 29 July 1901
  18. ^ "The Army in South Africa - the Coronation contingent". The Times. No. 36791. London. 11 June 1902. p. 14.
  19. ^ "No. 27502". The London Gazette. 9 December 1902. p. 8512.
  20. ^ "Naval & military intelligence". The Times. No. 36929. London. 19 November 1902. p. 10.
  21. ^ a b Army List
  22. ^ London Gazette 24 June 1901
  23. ^ Hart’s Army List
  24. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1914, Vol. I, pp. 143, 166–7.
  25. ^ Terraine, pp. 133-4.
  26. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1914, Vol. I, pp. 379, 387, 412–3.
  27. ^ Farrar-Hockley, Ypres 1914, pp. 59–69.
  28. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1914, Vol. II, p. 252.
  29. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1914, Vol. II, pp. 71, 106-14, 252, 354–5, 402–3.
  30. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1915, Vol. I, pp. 282, 287, 302, 323, 246.
  31. ^ London Gazette 23 June 1915.
  32. ^ Official History: France and Belgium 1915, Vol. II, p. 87.
  33. ^ Official History: Macedonia, Vol. I, p. 58.
  34. ^ Wakefield & Moody, p.45; Official History: Macedonia, Vol. I, p. 95.
  35. ^ Wakefield & Moody, pp. 48–58; Official History: Macedonia, Vol. I, pp. 155, 188.
  36. ^ Official History, Macedonia, Vol I, p. 295.
  37. ^ Wakefield & Moody p. 65.
  38. ^ Wakefield & Moody, pp. 65–98;Official History: Macedonia, Vol I, pp. 306–319.
  39. ^ Wakefield & Moody pp. 196–219; Official History: Macedonia, Vol II, pp. 163–178.
  40. ^ Wakefield & Moody pp. 220–227.
  41. ^ Official History: Macedonia, Vol II, pp. 268–70.
  42. ^ London Gazette 1 January 1919.
  43. ^ N.B. Leslie, The Succession of Colonels of the British Army from 1660 to the Present Day, Society for Army Historical Research Special Publication No 11 (1974).

References

Military offices
Preceded by GOC 4th Division
1914–1915 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
New post
 GOC XII Corps
1915–1919 		Succeeded by
Post disbanded
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