Wavell, Archibald Percival, Earl Wavell of Cyrenaica

Wavell, Archibald Percival, Earl Wavell of Cyrenaica (b. 5 May 1883, d. 24 May 1950). British field marshal, viceroy of India 1943–7 Born in Colchester, he was educated at Winchester and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He gained a commission in the army in 1901, and served in the South African (Boer) War, in India, and (in World War I) in France and Palestine. He trained troops in the 1920s and 1930s, and in 1937 returned to Palestine to command the British troops there. In July 1939, he became commander-in-chief in the Middle East, and from 1940 was successful against Italian troops, notably at the Battle of Sidi Barrani. He was forced to retreat in 1941, when troops had to be diverted to Greece. Disagreements with Churchill and others over priorities in the Middle East and North Africa led to his dismissal in June 1941. He commanded the British and Commonwealth troops at the fall of Singapore, but continued to command the British forces in India, first as commander-in-chief and then, from 1943, as viceroy. In preparation for independence, he displayed unexpected skill and astuteness in his attempt to create a coalition representing diverse Indian groups. However, he was replaced by Mountbatten in March 1947. He wrote extensively on military issues, and edited a popular volume of poetry, Other Men's Flowers (1944).