Eric de Burgh
Sir Eric de Burgh | |
---|---|
Born | 10 May 1881[1] Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
Died | 6 February 1973[2] Wexford, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland | (aged 91)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Years of service | 1901–1941 |
Rank | General |
Commands held | 1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade Lahore District Rawalpindi District 1st Indian Division |
Battles/wars | Second Boer War World War I Third Anglo-Afghan War World War II |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
General Sir Eric de Burgh, KCB DSO OBE (10 May 1881 – 6 February 1973) was a British Army officer who became Chief of the General Staff in India.
Military career[]
Educated at Marlborough College and the Colonial College, Hollesley Bay, De Burgh was commissioned into the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, as a Second Lieutenant in October 1901. In February 1902 he was seconded for service with Mounted infantry during the Second Boer War,[3][4] with the local rank of Lieutenant in the Army whilst serving in South Africa.[5] He later joined the Indian Army, and served in the 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse). He served in World War I and saw action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915 and the Battle of Loos in September 1915.[4] He later saw action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Battle of Arras in April 1917 and the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.[4]
He also fought in the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919.[4] He was appointed an instructor at Staff College, Quetta in 1928.[6] He went on to be a Brigadier on the General Staff at Eastern Command in India in 1930, Commanding Officer of the 1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade in 1931 and District Officer Commanding Lahore District in 1934.[6] After that he became Deputy Chief General Staff at Army Headquarters India in 1935, District Officer Commanding Rawalpindi District in 1936 and General Officer Commanding 1st Indian Division in 1937.[6] His last appointment was as Chief of the General Staff in India in 1939 at the start of World War II before retiring in 1941.[6]
In retirement, he lived at Ard Cairn outside Naas, and in 1960, he acquired Bargy Castle in County Wexford.[7]
Family[]
In 1923, he married Mary Fanshawe, daughter of General Sir Edward Fanshawe; they had two daughters.[7] He was the maternal grandfather of singer Chris de Burgh.[7]
References[]
- ^ UK, British Army Lists, 1882–1962
- ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858–1995
- ^ "No. 27417". The London Gazette. 18 March 1902. p. 1887.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Private Papers of General Sir Eric de Burgh, Imperial War Museum, London, UK.
- ^ "No. 27425". The London Gazette. 15 April 1902. p. 2507.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Burgh, Sir Eric, General (1881–1973) (Indian Army)[permanent dead link], Generals.dk.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c General Sir Eric de Burgh — Old Friend, Turtle Bunbury.
External links[]
- 1881 births
- 1973 deaths
- People educated at Marlborough College
- British Army personnel of the Second Boer War
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British military personnel of the Third Anglo-Afghan War
- British Army generals
- Irish expatriates in India
- Irish knights
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- People from County Kildare
- Royal Dublin Fusiliers officers
- Royal Irish Fusiliers officers