British Commonwealth of Nations: Sudan Shocks

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Forty-two years ago he joined the Innis-killing Dragoons, saw much service in Africa. At the beginning of the War as a Major General, he commanded the British Third Army. As a General he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and conducted the Holy Land Campaign. At the conclusion of hostilities he was made a Field Marshal created a peer and awarded £50,000 by the British Parliament.

Apropos of the Holy Land Campaign, a story is told about the surrender of Jerusalem. The city first surrendered to a British private who did not understand what it was all about. He reported the event to an officer with the result that a Brigadier motored to Jerusalem and accepted the keys of the city. During his absence, the Divisional Commander was advised of what was going on. Stop the Brigadier," roared the General. I will accept the surrender of Jerusalem. So the keys had to be sent back and the Divisional Commander went to Jerusalem and received them. When he came back he informed the Army Commander that Jerusalem had surrendered to him and he had the keys of the city, "Take 'em back," raved the irate A. U, "I myself will take the surrender. ' Back went the keys and Jerusalem surrendered again. Then the Army Commander telephoned the then Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander-in-Chief, told him all. "Take 'em back, came a stern voice over the wire, "I am the proper person to take the surrender." Thus, a few days later, Jerusalem surrendered for the fifth and last time to the Commander-in-Chief, and the only British Flag that was to be seen was that which flew from the radiator of the General's automobile, so considerate of his enemy's feelings was Allenby.