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Sir Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"SIR CHARLES VERE FERRERS TOWNSHEND (1861-), British general, was born Feb. 21 1861, and joined the Royal Marines in 1881. He served at Suakin in 1884, and in the Nile expedition of the following year. He joined the Indian army in 1892 and was present in the Hunza-Nagar operations of that year. He greatly distinguished himself by his gallant defence of the Chitral fort during its prolonged siege in 1895, for which he was rewarded with the C.B. and a brevet majority. Then, in 1897-8, he served with the Egyptian army in the reconquest of the Sudan and won the D.S.O., shortly after which he was transferred to British Infantry. He served for some months in the field during the S. African War, was promoted colonel in 1904, was for some time on the staff in India, afterwards commanded a district in S. Africa, and was promoted major-general in 1911. He was then for some months in charge of a Territorial division at home, after which he went to India to command a brigade.

In April 1915 he was sent to Mesopotamia to take over command of the 6th (Indian) Division in that theatre of war. Aided by some other troops his division worked its way up the Tigris, driving the Turks out of more than one fortified position, and on Sept. 28 Townshend signally defeated the enemy near Kutel-Amara and occupied the town, while detachments pursued the enemy halfway to Baghdad; shortly afterwards he was instructed to advance and occupy that city. On the move being made, he encountered the enemy in superior numbers at Ctesiphon, and after severe fighting was obliged to effect a retreat of 120 m. to Kut, and there he and his force were speedily hemmed in. A skilful and resolute defence was made, lasting 143 days till the end of April 1916 but then, supplies being exhausted and all efforts at relief having failed, he was obliged to capitulate. He was rewarded with the K.C.B. for his services. He remained a prisoner of war near Constantinople until Oct. 1918, when he acted as intermediary between the Porte and the Allies in adjusting the Armistice. He retired from the army in 1920, and entered Parliament as member for the Wrekin division of Shropshire.