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William Birdwood

William Birdwood, a British officer, was appointed to command the Australian and New Zealand forces in 1914 and led the ANZAC corps on Gallipoli. It was he who prepared the plan for the landing. Never regarded as an intellectual or a great strategist, he had strengths as a leader. “Birdie” was popular with the men, and was sometimes called “the spirit of ANZAC”.

There were some who felt Birdwood’s bonhomie was contrived, and he had critics. Certainly he worked hard to get the confidence of the Australians, and it is to his credit that he did. On ANZAC Bean said of him that “he shared the risks but never the water that was offered because he knew that every drop had been carried up from the beach”.

Birdwood continued to command Australians in action in France and Belgium until promoted General Officer Commanding the British 5th Army in 1918. After the war he was warmly greeted by veterans when he toured Australia in 1920. He was promoted field marshal in 1925; he died in 1951.

William Birdwood
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Sir William Birdwood's tunic
Lieutenant General Birdwood, a popular British officer, commanded the ANZAC Corps on Gallipoli. He was evidently attached to this tunic, which he wore later in the war; it is thought to have been the same one he had earlier used on Gallipoli. RELAWM01099