William Lumsden facts for kids

William Forbes Lumsden (born September 4, 1879 – died October 28, 1956) was a British Army officer. He was also a Scottish cricket player who played in "first-class" matches.

Early Life and Education

William Forbes Lumsden was born in September 1879 in Peterculter, a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father was James Forbes Lumsden.

William went to school at Aberdeen Grammar School and then Repton School in England. After that, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university. While at Cambridge, he was a very good golf player. He even earned a special award called a "blue" for his skills in golf.

Army Career and Cricket

After finishing university, William Lumsden joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in the British Army in March 1900. He started as a second lieutenant and became a lieutenant in 1901.

He served in British India. While there, he played two "first-class" cricket games for the Europeans cricket team. These games were against the Parsees in the 1902–03 Bombay Presidency Matches. In these games, he scored 18 runs.

William continued to rise in the army. He worked as an adjutant (an officer who helps with administration) from 1908 to 1909. In November 1911, he was promoted to captain. In December 1912, he was sent to work with the Colonial Office. His job was to survey land in Nigeria.

World War I Service

When the First World War began, William Lumsden rejoined the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was promoted to major in December 1915. In June 1916, he became an acting lieutenant colonel, but went back to being a major later that year.

William was recognized for his bravery and service. He received the Distinguished Service Order award in 1917. He also served in the Mesopotamian campaign, which was a series of battles during the later part of the war.

After the war ended, he was again made a temporary lieutenant colonel in January 1919. He left active service in March 1921 and was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Later Life and Family

After leaving the army, William Lumsden returned to Scotland. He ran for election as a candidate for the Unionist Party in 1923. He wanted to represent Aberdeen North in the British Parliament. However, he lost the election to Frank Rose from the Labour Party.

William Lumsden later moved to Nairobi, which was then in Kenya Colony. He passed away there in October 1956.

William came from a family with other notable members. His brother, Alfred Lumsden, was a brigadier-general in the British Army. Another elder brother, Oswald Lumsden, also played first-class cricket. His nephew, Geoffrey Lumsden, became a well-known actor.