The First World War

[palo5]

Originally Posted by rupertramjet

Haig... He was eventually created an Earl, with both a Viscountcy and Baronetcy thrown in...

And he received £100.000 - a banker-style bonus worthy many millions in today's money. A disappointment for him, because in fact he asked for £250.000. Anyone in tears about this?

And what did the war cripples get?

[richardoe]

The war t end all wars? Apparently Marshal Foch read the treaty of Versailles and said "this is peace for twenty years", if he did indeed say that he was very farsighted.

[scoundrel]

On Lloyd-George: he was unquestionably a nasty piece of work, but was also a great social reformer who, among other things, introduced the national insurance scheme, improved medical provision for the working poor (though comprehensive health services were still 37 years away) and brought in the old age pension, which Bismarck had introduced in Germany a long time before. In some respects, the Kaiser's Germany was a surprisingly enlightened place. He was a great moderniser of Britain and I'd say he was a shit, a backstabber and a swine and we were still lucky to have him. Good chancellors and good prime ministers aren't necessarily nice people or people you or I would tolerate inside our house.

At the end of WW1, the First Sea Lord was Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss. He was selected to represent Britain when the Armistice talks began and Lloyd-George very disgracefully ordered him to delay the commencement of the ceasefire until 3pm. Lloyd-George wanted to announce the cessation of hostilities to a packed a cheering House of Commons. To his great credit, Admiral Wemyss disobeyed his orders and it was at his suggestion that 11am was chosen, being the earliest time when a simultaneous cessation from all parties could be arranged. So at 3pm, Lloyd-George announced the ceasefire to an almost deserted House while the MPs all partied in the streets outside.

The prime minister was not a happy camper; but I have never been able to verify the story of what happened next, which may be a Navy legend rather than what really happened. I do hope it did happen though, because I relish the story. The story goes that Admiral Wemyss was summoned and stood to attention for many minutes whilst the prime minister abused and berated him. Then, when the prime minister had stopped shouting at him, and demanded that the Admiral explain his conduct, the Admiral lit a cigar, inhaled, blew a lungful of smoke straight into Lloyd-George's face and walked out.

I want that to be true.

[haroldeye]

And a complete waste of contempt on such a creature. L G made Baldwin look acceptable.

[rupertramjet]

Originally Posted by palo5

And he received £100.000 - a banker-style bonus worthy many millions in today's money. A disappointment for him, because in fact he asked for £250.000. Anyone in tears about this?

And what did the war cripples get?

No. But we also remember that he spent his life, or what was left of it, fighting for the cripples, founding the Royal British Legion, alienating the Government for taking them to task about the way the wounded where being treated, compared to previous military leaders, he was not financially well rewarded as a trip to Blenheim Palace (Marlborough) or Stratfield Saye (Wellington) will show. The money was part of the peerage, and no longer happens.

[tygrkhat40]

Originally Posted by theequestrian

I've always thought that the greatest shame about WWI was that "The war to end all wars" didn't.

How about "It will make the world safe for democracy."

[tygrkhat40]

Originally Posted by richardoe

The war t end all wars? Apparently Marshal Foch read the treaty of Versailles and said "this is peace for twenty years", if he did indeed say that he was very farsighted.

I'd say he was bang spot-on.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by rupertramjet

The money was part of the peerage, and no longer happens

I read somewhere that they sell peerages these days, so it seems to have reversed. But possibly Haig needed the money, because otherwise he only had his Whisky Empire inheritance and Field Marshal's pension to live on

...we also remember that he spent his life, or what was left of it, fighting for the cripples, founding the Royal British Legion, alienating the Government for taking them to task about the way the wounded where being treated...

Yes, it is right he should be remembered for that - imagine if he hadn't done it! But he is almost exclusively known for his other exploits

[richardoe]

A Field Marshal doesnt get a pension, officers of the rank of Lieutenant General (and the equivalent in the other services) and above dont retire. What happens is that they go on half pay when they cease to be on whats called "the active list".

[palo5]

Originally Posted by richardoe

A Field Marshal doesnt get a pension, officers of the rank of Lieutenant General (and the equivalent in the other services) and above dont retire. What happens is that they go on half pay when they cease to be on whats called "the active list".

You don't give a pension to a Marshal? Is that true