Field Marshal Sir John French, Commander Expeditionary Forces 1914, Brass Portrait Plaque, After Rex Osborne.

Field Marshal Sir John French, Commander Expeditionary Forces 1914, Brass Portrait Plaque. Produced by the Arthur Cox Illustrating Company Ltd., Birmingham and After Rex Osborne. Field Marshal John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres, GCB OM GCVO KCMG PC (1852 - 1925) became a national hero during the Second Boer War. In 1912 he became Chief of the Imperial General Staff, where he prepared for a possible European war. In 1914 he became Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force. He remained in this position for the opening 18 months of the First World War. In 1915 he faced criticism from Douglas Haig, Lord Kitchener and the government, after which he was forced to resign for not achieving a breakthrough at the opening of the Battle of Loos. He was subsequently appointed Commander-in-Chief Home Forces and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Approximate weight is 124 grams. Approximate dimensions are 15 cm height and 11 cm width. In good condition with age related surface wear and light scratches.