Byng, Julian, Hedworth Georg

From Encyclopediak

Byng, Julian, Hedworth Georg( Byng, 1st Baron (1862- ), Governoi General of Canada and distinguished British general. Even before he set foot on its shores, his popularity in the Dominion far exceeded that of any of his predecessors, for the Canadians will not soon forget the part he played in making possible the capture of Vimy Ridge, due in a large measure to his understanding of his men—the army of 100,000 Canadian volunteers that lay below the supposedly impregnable Ridge. General Byng's tact and good judgment, his sense of humor and rare knowledge and appreciation of Canadian character, well qualified him for the post he now holds, and he is a striking example of a military leader who is successful as a statesman. General Byng has had a varied military experience. He joined the 10th Royal Hussars in 1883. He served in the Sudan expedition the following year, and in the South African war, 1899 to 1902. During the World War he attracted attention from the first. In August, 1915, he was ordered to the Dardanelles and was placed in charge of the Suvia area, from which he removed his troops so skillfully the following December. For this valuable service he received the K. C. M. G. and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. In 1916 he was transferred to the Canadian Army Corps, and it was under his orders that the Dominion troops distinguished themselves in the capture of Vimy Ridge; he was given the K. C. B. He was in command respectively of the 3rd Cavalry Division, the Cavalry Corps, the 9th Army Corps, the 17th Army Corps, the Canadian Corps, and the 3rd Army. For distinguished service on the Cambrai front, in 1917, he was promoted to the rank of general. His forces were on the left of the V Army in the battles of March, 1918. It was eventually on their front that the German attack was first definitely halted, and in August of that year they bore their full share in the breaking of the Hindenburg line and in the general advance. For his services Bynng was raised to the peerage as Baron Byng of Vimy and Stokele-Thorpe. He retired from the armv in 1919, and in 1921 was appointed Governor General of Canada to succeed the Duke of Devonshire.