Author Description

The book 1914 is a memoir of World War I by Field Marshal John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres KP, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG, ADC, PC (1852-1925). The author narrates his experience as the Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) throughout the first year of the war. He was a fair spinner and strived not to disparage any officer or commander. French also had a smaller force compared to his peers and rival. In this book, he overlooks the conflict between him and Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, as well as the war cabinet. While other sources also indicated a serious rivalry with French general Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, this book implies they were minor disagreements. John French was born in Kent. From 1901 to 1916, he was referred to as Sir John French, then Viscount French from 1916 to 1922. He started as a midshipman in the Royal Navy and then served as a cavalry officer. He distinguished himself as a great leader and achieved quick promotion, eventually serving as a senior British Army officer while serving as a C-in-C of the BEF against Germain advances across Continental Europe. Due to his stubbornness, he gave directions that were not the best cause of action. This saw him being switched out for another commander.