Portrait of Field Marshal Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng GCB, KCB, KCMG, MVO, CB, signed 'Byng ...

Accession Number	P03717.001
Collection type	Photograph
Object type	Black & white - Print silver gelatin
Maker	Unknown
Date made	1921
Conflict	Period 1920-1929 First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright	Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Portrait of Field Marshal Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng GCB, KCB, KCMG, MVO, CB, signed 'Byng of Vimy'. Born in England, he served in the Sudan and in the Boer War. When the First World War broke out, he commanded the Cavalry Corps within the British Expeditionary Force and was then sent to the Gallipoli Peninsula as commander of the 9th Army Corps, performing creditably. He took command of the Canadian Army Corps in 1916; after victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, he was promoted to command of the Third Army in June, and enhanced his reputation through his involvement in the attack at Cambrai. During the remainder of the war he had a succession of victories; he was made 1st Baron Byng of Vimy of Thorpe-le-Soken, in Essex, in October 1919. He was Governor General of Canada from 1921-1926, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1932.