French, Sir John. British general. Born at Ripple Vale, Kent, 1852. After first serving in the navy, he entered the army in 1874. He took part in the Sudan Campaign, 1884-85; was commander of the 19th Hussars, 1889-93; and became staff adjutant. In 1899 he was promoted major-general of cavalry in Natal. In 1900 he became lieutenant-general in command of the cavalry in the Boer War. He directed the Colesberg Campaign, 1899-1900, and the cavalry operations leading to the relief of Kimberley and the capture of Bloemfontein and Pretoria. He was advanced to the rank of general in 1907, and was made field-marshal in 1913. As commander of the British forces in France, 1914-15, he conducted the heroic retreat from Mons, and contributed brilliantly to the German defeat at the battle of the Marne. In December, 1915, he was made commander-in-chief of the armies in the United Kingdom and created viscount.

---