George Younghusband: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Bot
Last edited December 16, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
m robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.
m minor edit
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{short description|British colonial military general}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=Sir George John Younghusband
|honorific_prefix = [[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]]
|honorific_suffix={{Post-nominals|KCMG|KCIE|CB|country=GBR}}
|name=Sir George Younghusband
|honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCMG|KCIE|CB}}
|birth_date=9 July 1859
|birth_date=9 July 1859
|death_date={{death-date and age|30 September 1944|9 July 1859}}
|death_date={{death-date and age|30 September 1944|9 July 1859}}
Line 17: Line 19:
|rank=[[Major-General]]
|rank=[[Major-General]]
|commands=Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides<br/>3rd Battalion [[Imperial Yeomanry]]<br/>26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion Imperial Yeomanry<br/>[[Fyzabad Brigade]]<br/>[[Derajat Brigade]]<br/>[[Aden Brigade]]<br/>[[28th Indian Brigade]]<br/>[[7th (Meerut) Division]]
|commands=Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides<br/>3rd Battalion [[Imperial Yeomanry]]<br/>26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion Imperial Yeomanry<br/>[[Fyzabad Brigade]]<br/>[[Derajat Brigade]]<br/>[[Aden Brigade]]<br/>[[28th Indian Brigade]]<br/>[[7th (Meerut) Division]]
|battles=[[Second Afghan War]] 1879–1880<br/>[[Mahdist War]] 1885<br/>[[North West Frontier (military history)|North West Frontier]] 1886<br/>[[Third Burmese War]] 1886–1887<br/>[[Chitral Expedition|Chitral Relief Force]] 1895<br/>[[Spanish–American War]] 1898<br/>[[Second Boer War]] 1899–1902<br/>[[Mohmand expedition of 1908]]<br/>[[First World War]] 1914–1917
|battles=[[Second Afghan War]]<br/>[[Mahdist War]]<br/>[[North West Frontier (military history)|North West Frontier]]<br/>[[Third Burmese War]]<br/>[[Chitral Expedition]]<br/>[[Spanish–American War]]<br/>[[Second Boer War]]<br/>[[Mohmand expedition of 1908]]<br/>[[First World War]]
|unit=[[17th Foot]]<br/>[[Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)|Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides]]
|unit=[[17th Foot]]<br/>[[Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)|Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides]]
|awards=
|awards=
Line 24: Line 26:
}}
}}


[[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] '''Sir George John Younghusband''', {{Post-nominals|sep=,|size=100%|KCMG|KCIE|CB|country=GBR}} (9 July 1859 – 30 September 1944) was a [[cavalry]] officer and [[major-general]] in the [[British Indian Army]].
[[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] '''Sir George John Younghusband''', {{Post-nominals|sep=,|size=100%|KCMG|KCIE|CB|country=GBR}} (9 July 1859 – 30 September 1944) was a [[cavalry]] officer and [[major-general]] in the [[British Indian Army]].


Younghusband was commissioned into the [[17th Foot]] in 1878. He later transferred to the British Indian Army's [[Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)|Guides Cavalry]] and served in several conflicts, including the [[Second Afghan War]], the [[Mahdist War]], the [[Third Burmese War]], the [[Second Boer War]] and finally in the [[First World War]]. Due to wounds received on the battlefield, he was forced to retire from the army in 1917.
Younghusband was commissioned into the [[17th Foot]] in 1878. He later transferred to the British Indian Army's [[Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)|Guides Cavalry]] and served in several conflicts, including the [[Second Afghan War]], the [[Mahdist War]], the [[Third Burmese War]], the [[Second Boer War]] and finally in the [[First World War]]. Due to wounds received on the battlefield, he was forced to retire from the army in 1917.
Line 31: Line 33:


==Early life==
==Early life==
George John Younghusband was born on 9 July 1859, at [[Dharamshala]] in India, the eldest son of [[Major-General]] [[John William Younghusband]] and Clara Jane Shaw, and the elder brother of [[Francis Younghusband]]. He was educated at [[Clifton College]] and the [[Royal Military College Sandhurst]]. In May 1878, after graduating as the Queen's (India) Cadet, he was commissioned, as a [[second-lieutenant]], into the [[17th Foot]], on probation for the India Staff Corps.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=30 May 1878|issue=24577|page=2775}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=23 December 2013|publisher=Journeys to Keng Tung|title=G. J. Younghusband|url=http://journeystokengtung.com/travelers/g-j-younghusband/}}</ref> He fought in the [[Second Afghan War]] and was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] on 15 March 1880, before transferring to the India Staff Corps, in October 1883.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=30 October 1883|issue=25283|page=5148}}</ref><ref name=kcl>{{cite web|accessdate=23 December 2013|publisher=King's College London|title=George Younghusband|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/YOUNGHUSBAND1.shtml}}</ref>
George John Younghusband was born on 9 July 1859, at [[Dharamshala]] in India, the eldest son of [[Major-General]] [[John William Younghusband]] and Clara Jane Shaw, and the elder brother of [[Francis Younghusband]]. He was educated at [[Clifton College]] and the [[Royal Military College Sandhurst]]. In May 1878, after successfully passing out, he was commissioned, as a [[second-lieutenant]], into the [[17th Foot]], on probation for the India Staff Corps.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=30 May 1878 |issue=24577 |page=2775}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=23 December 2013 |publisher=Journeys to Keng Tung |title=G. J. Younghusband |url=http://journeystokengtung.com/travelers/g-j-younghusband/ |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112912/http://journeystokengtung.com/travelers/g-j-younghusband/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He fought in the [[Second Afghan War]] and was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] on 15 March 1880, before transferring to the India Staff Corps, in October 1883.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=30 October 1883|issue=25283|page=5148}}</ref><ref name=kcl>{{cite web |access-date=23 December 2013 |publisher=King's College London |title=George Younghusband |url= http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/YOUNGHUSBAND1.shtml}}</ref>


==Indian Army==
==Indian Army==
After joining the Indian Army he was involved in several conflicts in a short period of time. The 1885 [[Mahdist War]], operations on the [[North West Frontier (military history)|North West Frontier]] in 1886, and in the [[Third Burmese War]].<ref name=kcl/> His next promotion came on 1 May 1889, when he was promoted to [[captain (BARM)|captain]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=19 July 1889|issue=25955|page=3896}}</ref> Six years later, in 1895, he was [[mentioned in dispatches]], while serving as the [[Brigade Major]] for the 4th Brigade, part of the [[Chitral Expedition|Chitral Relief Force]].<ref name=kcl/><ref>{{London Gazette|date=15 November 1895|issue=26680|page=6177}}</ref> He was further recognized by promotion to [[brevet (military)|brevet]] [[Major (British Army and Royal Marines)|major]] in January 1896.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=21 January 1896|issue=26701|page=358}}</ref> The following year, he was on 22 January 1897 appointed to a staff position as [[assistant adjutant-general|deputy assistant adjutant-general]] in [[Sirhind]], under the [[Punjab Army|Punjab Command]].<ref>Hart′s Army list, 1901</ref> In 1898 he was appointed as a military observer during the [[Spanish–American War]] in the [[Philippines]],<ref name=kcl /> and in May that year promoted to substantive major.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=15 July 1898|issue=26987|page=4275}}</ref>
[[File:Staff College class 1890.png|thumb|left|The Staff College, Camberley, class in 1890. Stood in the second row, sixth from the left, is Captain G. J. Younghusband.]]
 
After joining the Indian Army he was involved in several conflicts in a short period of time. The 1885 [[Mahdist War]], operations on the [[North West Frontier (military history)|North West Frontier]] in 1886, and in the [[Third Burmese War]].<ref name=kcl/> His next promotion came on 1 May 1889, when he was promoted to [[captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=19 July 1889|issue=25955|page=3896}}</ref> Six years later, in 1895, he was [[mentioned in dispatches]], while serving as the [[brigade major]] for the 4th Brigade, part of the [[Chitral Expedition|Chitral Relief Force]].<ref name=kcl/><ref>{{London Gazette|date=15 November 1895|issue=26680|page=6177}}</ref> He was further recognized by promotion to [[brevet (military)|brevet]] [[Major (British Army and Royal Marines)|major]] in January 1896.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=21 January 1896|issue=26701|page=358}}</ref> The following year, he was on 22 January 1897 appointed to a staff position as [[assistant adjutant-general|deputy assistant adjutant-general]] in [[Sirhind]], under the [[Punjab Army|Punjab Command]].<ref>Hart′s Army list, 1901</ref> In 1898 he was appointed as a military observer during the [[Spanish–American War]] in the [[Philippines]],<ref name=kcl /> and in May that year promoted to substantive major.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=15 July 1898|issue=26987|page=4275}}</ref>


==Command==
==Command==
[[File:Memorial to George Younghusband, St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh.jpg|thumb|330px|Memorial to George Younghusband, St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh]]
[[File:Memorial to George Younghusband, St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh.jpg|thumb|left|330px|Memorial to George Younghusband, St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh]]
Younghusband's first command came during the [[Second Boer War]], when he was promoted to temporary [[lieutenant-colonel]] and [[commanding officer]] of the 3rd Battalion, [[Imperial Yeomanry]], on 20 January 1900.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=26 January 1900|issue=27157|page=515}}</ref> The battalion comprised the [[9th (Yorkshire (Doncaster)) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|9th (Yorkshire (Doncaster))]], [[10th (Sherwood Rangers) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|10th (Sherwood Rangers)]], [[11th (Yorkshire Dragoons) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|11th (Yorkshire Dragoons)]] and [[12th (South Nottinghamshire) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|12th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Companies]], all recruited by [[Yeomanry]] regiments in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.<ref name = Roll>[http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/ImperialYeomanryCompaniesBoerBn.html IY Companies at Roll of Honour.]</ref> He left [[Liverpool]] with the battalion on board [[SS Winifredian (1899)|SS ''Winifredian'']] in late January 1900,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The War - The Imperial Yeomanry|date=30 January 1900 |page=5 |issue=36052}}</ref> arriving in [[South Africa]] the following month. While commanding the battalion he was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=16 April 1901|issue=27305|page=2604}}</ref> The same year he received a [[Brevet (military)|brevet]] promotion to lieutenant-colonel and was appointed a Companion of the [[Order of the Bath]] (CB).<ref>{{London Gazette|date=19 April 1901|issue=27306|page=2704}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=1 October 1901|city=e|issue=11343|page=1094}}</ref>
 
Younghusband's first command came during the [[Second Boer War]], when he was promoted to temporary [[lieutenant-colonel]] and [[commanding officer]] of the 3rd Battalion, [[Imperial Yeomanry]], on 20 January 1900.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=26 January 1900|issue=27157|page=515}}</ref> The battalion comprised the [[9th (Yorkshire (Doncaster)) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|9th (Yorkshire (Doncaster))]], [[10th (Sherwood Rangers) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|10th (Sherwood Rangers)]], [[11th (Yorkshire Dragoons) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|11th (Yorkshire Dragoons)]] and [[12th (South Nottinghamshire) Company, Imperial Yeomanry|12th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Companies]], all recruited by [[Yeomanry]] regiments in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.<ref name = Roll>[http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/ImperialYeomanryCompaniesBoerBn.html IY Companies at Roll of Honour.]</ref> He left [[Liverpool]] with the battalion aboard {{SS|Winifredian||2}} in late January 1900,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The War - The Imperial Yeomanry|date=30 January 1900 |page=5 |issue=36052}}</ref> arriving in [[South Africa]] the following month. While commanding the battalion he was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=16 April 1901|issue=27305|page=2604}}</ref> The same year he received a [[Brevet (military)|brevet]] promotion to lieutenant-colonel and was appointed a Companion of the [[Order of the Bath]] (CB).<ref>{{London Gazette|date=19 April 1901|issue=27306|page=2704}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=1 October 1901|city=e|issue=11343|page=1094}}</ref>


Younghusband left the 3rd to command the 26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, in December 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=21 January 1902|issue=27399|page=452}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27434|page=3252|date=16 May 1902}}</ref> This battalion comprised the newly-raised 119th–122nd Companies.<ref name = Roll/> He was again mentioned in dispatches in June the following year.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=17 June 1902|issue=27443|page=3974}}</ref> He was wounded, and in late May 1902 left South Africa on the ''[[SS Roslin Castle]]'' which arrived at [[Southampton]] the following month.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa - Return of Troops|date=19 June 1902 |page=8 |issue=36798}}</ref> He relinquished the command of the 26th battalion on 30 August 1902.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27476 |page=6079 |date=23 September 1902}}</ref>
Younghusband left the 3rd to command the 26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, in December 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=21 January 1902|issue=27399|page=452}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27434|page=3252|date=16 May 1902}}</ref> This battalion comprised the newly-raised 119th–122nd Companies.<ref name = Roll/> He was again mentioned in dispatches in June the following year.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=17 June 1902|issue=27443|page=3974}}</ref> He was wounded, and in late May 1902 left South Africa on the ''[[SS Roslin Castle]]'' which arrived at [[Southampton]] the following month.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa - Return of Troops|date=19 June 1902 |page=8 |issue=36798}}</ref> He relinquished the command of the 26th battalion on 30 August 1902.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27476 |page=6079 |date=23 September 1902}}</ref>
Line 44: Line 49:
After that war he was promoted to [[colonel]] in April 1905.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=7 April 1905|issue=27782|page=2638}}</ref> He was then involved in the [[Mohmand expedition of 1908]].<ref name=kcl/> Then in February 1909, was promoted to temporary [[brigadier-general]] while serving on the General Staff.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=27 April 1909|issue=28245|page=320}}</ref> In 1909, he became commander of the [[Fyzabad Brigade]], part of the [[8th (Lucknow) Division]], and the [[Derajat Brigade]] from 1911. The same year he was promoted to [[major-general]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=25 July 1911|issue=28516|page=5551}}</ref> He was still in command, when appointed a Knight Commander of the [[Order of St Michael and St George]] (KCMG) in 1913.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=3 January 1913|issue=12526|page=3}}</ref>
After that war he was promoted to [[colonel]] in April 1905.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=7 April 1905|issue=27782|page=2638}}</ref> He was then involved in the [[Mohmand expedition of 1908]].<ref name=kcl/> Then in February 1909, was promoted to temporary [[brigadier-general]] while serving on the General Staff.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=27 April 1909|issue=28245|page=320}}</ref> In 1909, he became commander of the [[Fyzabad Brigade]], part of the [[8th (Lucknow) Division]], and the [[Derajat Brigade]] from 1911. The same year he was promoted to [[major-general]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=25 July 1911|issue=28516|page=5551}}</ref> He was still in command, when appointed a Knight Commander of the [[Order of St Michael and St George]] (KCMG) in 1913.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=3 January 1913|issue=12526|page=3}}</ref>


In the [[First World War]], Younghusband was given command of the [[28th Indian Brigade]], part of the [[10th Indian Division]]. They were initially deployed to defend the [[Suez Canal]]. Until 1916, when the brigade was sent to take part in the [[South Arabia during World War I|defence of Aden]]. It then moved to [[Basra]] to participate in the [[Mesopotamia Campaign]]. During the subsequent operation Younghusband was again mentioned in dispatches.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=20 June 1916|issue=29632|supp=y|page=6174}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=9 May 1916|issue=29576|supp=y|page=4660}}</ref>  His last command position was in 1916, as commander of the [[7th (Meerut) Division]], still in Mesopotamia, but he was forced to relinquish that position due to wounds received.<ref name=kcl />
In October 1914, Younghusband was given command of the [[28th Indian Brigade]], part of the [[10th Indian Division]]. They were initially deployed to defend the [[Suez Canal]]. In July 1915, the brigade was detached to [[South Arabia during World War I|defence of Aden]]. where it fought a sharp action at Sheikh Othman on 20 July, before returning to Egypt in September.
 
In November 1915, the brigade left the division and moved to Mesopotamia to form part of the 7th (Meerut) Division from December 1915.
At this point Younghusband left the brigade and was appointed to command the [[7th (Meerut) Division]] on 10 December 1915 but he was forced to relinquish that position on 8 May 1916 due to wounds received.<ref name=kcl />
 
During the operations in Mespototamia Younghusband was again mentioned in dispatches.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=20 June 1916|issue=29632|supp=y|page=6174}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=9 May 1916|issue=29576|supp=y|page=4660}}</ref>  


==Family and later life==
==Family and later life==
In March 1917, King [[George V]] appointed Younghusband as the [[Keeper of the Jewel House]] at the [[Tower of London]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=24 March 1917|issue=13073|page=669|city=e}}</ref> Then in April 1919, the King approved his retirement from the army.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=11 May 1920|issue=31894|page=5367}}</ref> He was not entirely finished with the army however and in January 1928, he was appointed the Regimental Colonel of the [[10th Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force)]] and of the 5th Battalion, (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) [[12th Frontier Force Regiment]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=13 January 1928|issue=33347|page=299}}</ref>
In March 1917, King [[George V]] appointed Younghusband as the [[Keeper of the Jewel House]] at the [[Tower of London]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=24 March 1917|issue=13073|page=669|city=e}}</ref> Then in April 1919, the King approved his retirement from the army.<ref>{{London Gazette|date=11 May 1920|issue=31894|page=5367}}</ref> He was not entirely finished with the army however and in January 1928, he was appointed the Regimental Colonel of the [[10th Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force)]] and of the 5th Battalion, (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) [[12th Frontier Force Regiment]].<ref>{{London Gazette|date=13 January 1928|issue=33347|page=299}}</ref>


His son [[Brigadier]] [[George Edward Younghusband]], of the [[3rd The King's Own Hussars]], served with the [[2nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Armoured Division]] during the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=22 December 2013|publisher=King's College London|title=LHCMA Collections|url=http://www.kingscollections.org/catalogues/lhcma/collection/c/cr20-001}}</ref>
His son [[Brigadier]] [[George Edward Younghusband]], of the [[3rd The King's Own Hussars]], served with the [[2nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Armoured Division]] during the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=22 December 2013 |publisher=King's College London |title=LHCMA Collections |url= http://www.kingscollections.org/catalogues/lhcma/collection/c/cr20-001}}</ref>


George John Younghusband died on 30 September 1944, aged eighty-five, at [[Crickhowell]] in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=23 December 2013|publisher=The Royal Leicestershire Regiment|title=Have you a tiger in your family?|url=http://www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/have-you-a-tiger/record/65877/}}</ref>
George John Younghusband died on 30 September 1944, aged eighty-five, at [[Crickhowell]] in Wales.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=23 December 2013 |publisher=The Royal Leicestershire Regiment |title=Have you a tiger in your family? |url=http://www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/have-you-a-tiger/record/65877/ |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114311/http://www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/have-you-a-tiger/record/65877/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Notable works==
==Notable works==
* ''The Crown Jewels of England'' (1919)
* ''The Crown Jewels of England'' (1919)
* ''On short leave to Japan'' (1894)
* ''Eighteen Hundred Miles on a Burmese Pony''
* ''Eighteen Hundred Miles on a Burmese Pony''
* ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/Forty_Years_a_Soldier_by_Major_general_S.html?id=2hNrXwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y Forty Years a Soldier]'' (1923)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=2hNrXwAACAAJ Forty Years a Soldier]'' (1923)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/Indian_Frontier_Warfare_by_Captain_and_B.html?id=AZJWygAACAAJ&redir_esc=y Indian Frontier Warfare]'' (1898)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=AZJWygAACAAJ Indian Frontier Warfare]'' (1898)
* ''The Jewel House'' (1920)
* ''The Jewel House'' (1920)
* ''A Short History of the Tower of London'' (1926)
* ''A Short History of the Tower of London'' (1926)
Line 64: Line 75:
* ''The Queen's Commission''
* ''The Queen's Commission''
* ''[http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47611 The Relief of Chitral]'' (1895)
* ''[http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47611 The Relief of Chitral]'' (1895)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Soldier_s_Memories_in_Peace_and_War_by.html?id=3rh2XwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y A Soldier's Memories in Peace and War]'' (1917)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=3rh2XwAACAAJ A Soldier's Memories in Peace and War]'' (1917)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Story_of_the_Guides_by_Col_G_J_Young.html?id=d9tlXwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y The Story of the Guides]'' (1908)
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=d9tlXwAACAAJ The Story of the Guides]'' (1908)
* ''The Tower from Within'' (1918)
* ''The Tower from Within'' (1918)
* ''Exploits of Asaf Khan'' (introduction)
* ''Exploits of Asaf Khan'' (introduction)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Gutenberg author | id=Younghusband,+G.+J.+(George+John) }}
* {{Gutenberg author | id=6945}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=George John Younghusband}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=George John Younghusband}}


Line 87: Line 98:
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Royal Leicestershire Regiment officers]]
[[Category:Royal Leicestershire Regiment officers]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army cavalry generals of World War I]]
[[Category:Indian Army cavalry generals of World War I]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the Second Anglo-Afghan War]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the Second Anglo-Afghan War]]
Line 98: Line 108:
[[Category:Masters of the Jewel Office]]
[[Category:Masters of the Jewel Office]]
[[Category:Younghusband family|George]]
[[Category:Younghusband family|George]]
[[Category:Military personnel of British India]]
[[Category:British military personnel in colonial India]]
[[Category:19th-century British Army personnel]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 16 December 2025


Major-General

Sir George Younghusband

KCMG KCIE CB
Born9 July 1859
Dharmasala, India
Died30 September 1944 (1944-10-01) (aged 85)
Crickhowell, Wales
Allegiance British Empire
Service/branch British Indian Army
Years of service1878–1917
RankMajor-General
Unit17th Foot
Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides
Commands heldQueen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides
3rd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
Fyzabad Brigade
Derajat Brigade
Aden Brigade
28th Indian Brigade
7th (Meerut) Division
Battles/warsSecond Afghan War
Mahdist War
North West Frontier
Third Burmese War
Chitral Expedition
Spanish–American War
Second Boer War
Mohmand expedition of 1908
First World War
RelationsJohn Younghusband (father)
Francis Younghusband (brother)
Charles Younghusband (uncle)
George Younghusband (son)
Eileen Younghusband (niece)
Other workKeeper of the Jewel House
Author

Major-General Sir George John Younghusband, KCMG, KCIE, CB (9 July 1859 – 30 September 1944) was a cavalry officer and major-general in the British Indian Army.

Younghusband was commissioned into the 17th Foot in 1878. He later transferred to the British Indian Army's Guides Cavalry and served in several conflicts, including the Second Afghan War, the Mahdist War, the Third Burmese War, the Second Boer War and finally in the First World War. Due to wounds received on the battlefield, he was forced to retire from the army in 1917.

In his later life he became a noted author of several books, and the Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London, until his death on 30 September 1944, at Crickhowell in Wales.

Early life[edit | edit source]

George John Younghusband was born on 9 July 1859, at Dharamshala in India, the eldest son of Major-General John William Younghusband and Clara Jane Shaw, and the elder brother of Francis Younghusband. He was educated at Clifton College and the Royal Military College Sandhurst. In May 1878, after successfully passing out, he was commissioned, as a second-lieutenant, into the 17th Foot, on probation for the India Staff Corps.[1][2] He fought in the Second Afghan War and was promoted to lieutenant on 15 March 1880, before transferring to the India Staff Corps, in October 1883.[3][4]

Indian Army[edit | edit source]

The Staff College, Camberley, class in 1890. Stood in the second row, sixth from the left, is Captain G. J. Younghusband.

After joining the Indian Army he was involved in several conflicts in a short period of time. The 1885 Mahdist War, operations on the North West Frontier in 1886, and in the Third Burmese War.[4] His next promotion came on 1 May 1889, when he was promoted to captain.[5] Six years later, in 1895, he was mentioned in dispatches, while serving as the brigade major for the 4th Brigade, part of the Chitral Relief Force.[4][6] He was further recognized by promotion to brevet major in January 1896.[7] The following year, he was on 22 January 1897 appointed to a staff position as deputy assistant adjutant-general in Sirhind, under the Punjab Command.[8] In 1898 he was appointed as a military observer during the Spanish–American War in the Philippines,[4] and in May that year promoted to substantive major.[9]

Command[edit | edit source]

Memorial to George Younghusband, St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh

Younghusband's first command came during the Second Boer War, when he was promoted to temporary lieutenant-colonel and commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, on 20 January 1900.[10] The battalion comprised the 9th (Yorkshire (Doncaster)), 10th (Sherwood Rangers), 11th (Yorkshire Dragoons) and 12th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Companies, all recruited by Yeomanry regiments in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.[11] He left Liverpool with the battalion aboard Winifredian in late January 1900,[12] arriving in South Africa the following month. While commanding the battalion he was mentioned in dispatches in 1901.[13] The same year he received a brevet promotion to lieutenant-colonel and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).[14][15]

Younghusband left the 3rd to command the 26th (Younghusband's Horse) Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, in December 1901.[16][17] This battalion comprised the newly-raised 119th–122nd Companies.[11] He was again mentioned in dispatches in June the following year.[18] He was wounded, and in late May 1902 left South Africa on the SS Roslin Castle which arrived at Southampton the following month.[19] He relinquished the command of the 26th battalion on 30 August 1902.[20]

After that war he was promoted to colonel in April 1905.[21] He was then involved in the Mohmand expedition of 1908.[4] Then in February 1909, was promoted to temporary brigadier-general while serving on the General Staff.[22] In 1909, he became commander of the Fyzabad Brigade, part of the 8th (Lucknow) Division, and the Derajat Brigade from 1911. The same year he was promoted to major-general.[23] He was still in command, when appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1913.[24]

In October 1914, Younghusband was given command of the 28th Indian Brigade, part of the 10th Indian Division. They were initially deployed to defend the Suez Canal. In July 1915, the brigade was detached to defence of Aden. where it fought a sharp action at Sheikh Othman on 20 July, before returning to Egypt in September.

In November 1915, the brigade left the division and moved to Mesopotamia to form part of the 7th (Meerut) Division from December 1915. At this point Younghusband left the brigade and was appointed to command the 7th (Meerut) Division on 10 December 1915 but he was forced to relinquish that position on 8 May 1916 due to wounds received.[4]

During the operations in Mespototamia Younghusband was again mentioned in dispatches.[25][26]

Family and later life[edit | edit source]

In March 1917, King George V appointed Younghusband as the Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London.[27] Then in April 1919, the King approved his retirement from the army.[28] He was not entirely finished with the army however and in January 1928, he was appointed the Regimental Colonel of the 10th Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force) and of the 5th Battalion, (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment.[29]

His son Brigadier George Edward Younghusband, of the 3rd The King's Own Hussars, served with the 2nd Armoured Division during the Second World War.[30]

George John Younghusband died on 30 September 1944, aged eighty-five, at Crickhowell in Wales.[31]

Notable works[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "No. 24577". The London Gazette. 30 May 1878. p. 2775.
  2. ↑ "G. J. Younghusband". Journeys to Keng Tung. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "No. 25283". The London Gazette. 30 October 1883. p. 5148.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "George Younghusband". King's College London. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "No. 25955". The London Gazette. 19 July 1889. p. 3896.
  6. ↑ "No. 26680". The London Gazette. 15 November 1895. p. 6177.
  7. ↑ "No. 26701". The London Gazette. 21 January 1896. p. 358.
  8. ↑ Hart′s Army list, 1901
  9. ↑ "No. 26987". The London Gazette. 15 July 1898. p. 4275.
  10. ↑ "No. 27157". The London Gazette. 26 January 1900. p. 515.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 IY Companies at Roll of Honour.
  12. ↑ "The War - The Imperial Yeomanry". The Times. No. 36052. London. 30 January 1900. p. 5.
  13. ↑ "No. 27305". The London Gazette. 16 April 1901. p. 2604.
  14. ↑ "No. 27306". The London Gazette. 19 April 1901. p. 2704.
  15. ↑ "No. 11343". The Edinburgh Gazette. 1 October 1901. p. 1094.
  16. ↑ "No. 27399". The London Gazette. 21 January 1902. p. 452.
  17. ↑ "No. 27434". The London Gazette. 16 May 1902. p. 3252.
  18. ↑ "No. 27443". The London Gazette. 17 June 1902. p. 3974.
  19. ↑ "The Army in South Africa - Return of Troops". The Times. No. 36798. London. 19 June 1902. p. 8.
  20. ↑ "No. 27476". The London Gazette. 23 September 1902. p. 6079.
  21. ↑ "No. 27782". The London Gazette. 7 April 1905. p. 2638.
  22. ↑ "No. 28245". The London Gazette. 27 April 1909. p. 320.
  23. ↑ "No. 28516". The London Gazette. 25 July 1911. p. 5551.
  24. ↑ "No. 12526". The London Gazette. 3 January 1913. p. 3.
  25. ↑ "No. 29632". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 June 1916. p. 6174.
  26. ↑ "No. 29576". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May 1916. p. 4660.
  27. ↑ "No. 13073". The Edinburgh Gazette. 24 March 1917. p. 669.
  28. ↑ "No. 31894". The London Gazette. 11 May 1920. p. 5367.
  29. ↑ "No. 33347". The London Gazette. 13 January 1928. p. 299.
  30. ↑ "LHCMA Collections". King's College London. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "Have you a tiger in your family?". The Royal Leicestershire Regiment. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Younghusband&oldid=470513"
Discover more