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Description: | GCB awarded for his role in the First World War, notably for his direction of the successful Palestine Campaign, 1917-1918. Born in 1861, Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby was educated at Haileybury and Sandhurst. In 1882 he joined the Inniskilling Dragoons and served in Bechuanaland (1884-85), Zululand (1888) and fought in South Africa during the (Second) Boer War (1899-1902). A specialist in the employment of cavalry he was GOC of the Cavalry Division which formed part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) that moved to France on the outbreak of war in 1914. He was placed in command of the Third Army for the Somme Offensive of 1916 (June to November) and commanded this formation up until the Battle of Arras, April 1917. In June 1917 he replaced General Sir Archibald Murray as Commander of British and Imperial Forces in Egypt and, building on his predecessor's careful preparations, was encouraged to launch more vigorous offensive operations against Turkish forces. Under his leadership the Egyptian Expeditionary Force defeated the Turks at the important Battle of Beersheba (31 October 1917), which led to the Allied occupation of Jerusalem. In a carefully stage-managed performance Allenby entered the ancient city on foot (in marked contrast to the pre-war entry of the Kaiser) on 9 December 1917; this event represented a remarkable propaganda coup for Britain at a time when the war on the Western Front was not going well. His 1918 operations against the Turkish forces culminated in the victory of Megiddo (19-21 September), which opened the way up to the occupation of Damascus in October 1918. Allenby was promoted Field Marshal in acknowledgement of his war service and between 1919 and 1925 was High Commissioner in Egypt. Viscount Allenby died in 1936.
Star of a GCB awarded to Field Marshal Sir Edmund Allenby (1st Viscount Allenby).
Star, eight pointed (flaming and multi-rayed). On a chipped silver circular centrepiece three Imperial crowns, in gold and enamelled in the proper colours. The centrepiece is surrounded by a band of red enamel bearing the motto of the Order in ornate raised letters of gold. Additionally this band is enclosed by a wreath of laurel enamelled in the proper colours. At the base of the wreath is a scroll in dark blue enamel bearing text in inlaid letters of gold. The whole in the centre of a gold Maltese cross which is in turn centred upon the chipped silver, eight pointed, flaming star. Motto: 'TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO' and 'ICH DIEN'.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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