Frederick Lumsden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick William Lumsden
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Portrait by H. Donald Smith, 1920
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| Born | 14 December 1872 Faizabad, India |
| Died | 4 June 1918 (aged 45) Blairville, Arras, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Marines |
| Years of service | 1890–1918 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Unit | Royal Marine Artillery |
| Commands held | 14th Infantry Brigade No. 1 Howitzer Battery, Royal Marine Artillery Royal Marine Artillery Howitzer Brigade |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Three Bars Mentioned in Despatches (4) Croix de Guerre (Belgium) |
Frederick William Lumsden (born December 14, 1872 – died June 4, 1918) was a brave British officer. He served in the Royal Marine Artillery during the First World War. He was a Brigadier-General, which is a very high rank in the army.
During his time in service, he earned many awards for his courage. He fought in several important battles. Sadly, he was killed in June 1918, just a few months before the war ended. One of his most special awards was the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery given to British or Commonwealth soldiers. He was also the first of seven British officers to receive the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) four times during the First World War.
Contents
Frederick Lumsden: A War Hero
Early Life and Family
Frederick William Lumsden was born on December 14, 1872, in Faizabad, India. His family had a history of military service. His father, James Foot Lumsden, worked in the Indian Civil Service. When Frederick was young, he moved back to Britain. He went to school at Bristol Grammar School.
In December 1894, Lumsden married Mary. Her father was Lieutenant General Thomas N. Harward of the Royal Artillery. Frederick and Mary had one daughter named Violet.
Joining the Military
Lumsden started his military career in 1890. He joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a junior officer. He served in the Marine Service until 1907. During this time, he spent some years in the Mediterranean Sea. He also lived on Ascension Island for four years.
In 1908, he went to Staff College to get more training. After that, he became a staff officer in Singapore. He was promoted to the rank of major in 1913. Just before the First World War started in August 1914, he returned home. He served in France with the Royal Marine howitzer brigade until 1915. Later, he worked with the British Army's staff. In late 1915, he joined the Intelligence Department at the First Army Headquarters. In April 1917, he became a temporary brigadier general. He was given command of the 14th Infantry Brigade.
Amazing Awards and Medals
On January 1, 1917, Major Lumsden received his first Distinguished Service Order (DSO). This award was for his "distinguished service in the field." He later received two more Bars to his DSO in May 1917. A Bar means he received the award again. In April 1918, he was the first person to get a third Bar to his DSO. This meant he had earned the DSO four times!
The Victoria Cross Story
On June 8, 1917, Major Lumsden was approved for the Victoria Cross. This was for his incredibly brave actions. These actions happened between April 3 and 4, 1917, in Francilly, France.
Here is what happened, as described in The London Gazette:
Maj. Frederick William Lumsden, D.S.O., R.M.A.
For most conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty.
Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire.
Maj. Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into our lines.
In order to effect this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage. As one of these teams sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and, through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun. He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety.
By this time the enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun.
Maj. Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached the gun to a team and got it away.
In simple terms, Major Lumsden showed amazing bravery. Six enemy cannons were captured, but they were stuck in a dangerous spot. The enemy was firing heavily at them. Major Lumsden decided to bring these cannons back to his own lines. He led four teams of horses and a group of soldiers through heavy enemy fire. When one team was hit, he left the others in a safe spot. He then led the soldiers to the cannons, even with lots of rifle, machine gun, and shrapnel fire. He inspired everyone with his courage. He managed to send two cannons back with teams. He even went through the dangerous firing again with the third cannon's team. He went back for the other cannons. He attached two more to teams, even though the enemy was shooting intensely from close by. He got those cannons to safety too. By this time, the enemy was attacking strongly. They had even damaged the last cannon. But Major Lumsden went back again! He chased the enemy away. He attached the last cannon to a team and got it safely away.
He was also made a Companion of the Order of the Bath on June 3, 1918. This was just a few days before he died. He was also mentioned in official reports four times for his good service. He also received the Belgian Croix de guerre, another bravery medal.
His Final Days
Frederick Lumsden was killed in action on June 4, 1918. He was 45 years old. He was in Blairville, near Arras, France. He was shot in the head and died right away. His body was buried in the Berles New Military Cemetery in Berles-au-Bois, France.
In 1920, the Royal Marines asked H. Donald Smith to paint two pictures of Lumsden. These paintings are now at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea, Portsmouth. His Victoria Cross medal is also on display at the museum.
