Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, FRSGS (September 30, 1832 – November 14, 1914) is a British Victorian era general who becomes one of the most successful British military commanders of his time.

Born in India to an Anglo-Irish family, Roberts joina the East India Company Army and servea as a young officer in the Indian Rebellion during which he wins a Victoria Cross for gallantry.

He is then transferred to the British Army and fights in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in which his exploits earn him widespread fame.

Roberts goes on to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, India before leading British Forces to success in the Second Boer War.

He also becomes the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post is abolished in 1904.

A man of small stature, Roberts is affectionately known to his troops and the wider British public as "Bobs" and revered as one of Britain's leading military figures at a time when the British Empire reaches the height of its power.

He becomes a symbol for the British Army and in later life becomes an influential proponent of the increasing threat that the German Empire poses to Britain in the lead up to the First World War.

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