Frederick Roberts 1st Earl Roberts

2022-11-20T01:51:26Z

2A00:23C5:2897:DD01:816A:269:CA07:884D:

{{short description|British general (1832–1914)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = The Earl Roberts
| image = Earl Roberts of Kandahar.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1832|9|30|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1914|11|14|1832|9|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Cawnpore]], [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]]
| death_place = [[Saint-Omer|St Omer]], [[French Third Republic|France]]
| placeofburial = [[St Paul's Cathedral]], London
| birth_name = Frederick Sleigh Roberts
| nickname = Bobs
| allegiance = British Empire
| branch = [[Bengal Army]] [[British Army]]
| serviceyears = 1851–1904
| rank = [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]]
| unit = [[Royal Artillery]]
| commands = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]] Command of British troops in Second Boer War until 1900 [[Commander-in-Chief, Ireland]] [[Commander-in-Chief, India]] [[Madras Army|Commander-in-Chief in Madras]] [[Governor]] of [[KwaZulu-Natal Province|Natal]] Kabul and Kandahar Field Force [[Kabul Field Force]] [[Kurram Valley Field Force]]
| battles = [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]]
* [[Siege of Delhi]]
* [[Siege of Lucknow]]
[[Umbeyla Campaign]] [[1868 Expedition to Abyssinia]]
* [[Battle of Magdala]]
[[Lushai Expedition]] [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]]
* [[Battle of Peiwar Kotal]]
* [[Battle of Charasiab]]
* [[Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment]]
* [[Battle of Kandahar (1880)|Battle of Kandahar]]
[[Second Boer War]]
* [[Siege of Kimberley]]
* [[Battle of Paardeberg]]
* [[Battle of Poplar Grove]]
* [[Battle of Diamond Hill]]
* [[Battle of Bergendal]]
| awards = [[Victoria Cross]] [[Knight of the Order of the Garter]] [[Knight of the Order of St Patrick]] [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] [[Member of the Order of Merit]] [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] [[Venerable Order of Saint John|Knight of the Order of St John]] [[Mentioned in Despatches]]
| laterwork =
| signature = Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts Signature.jpg
| relations = [[Frederick Roberts (British Army officer)|Frederick Roberts]] (son) [[Abraham Roberts|Sir Abraham Roberts]] (father)
}}

[[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]] '''Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|VC|KG|KP|GCB|OM|GCSI|GCIE|VD|PC|FRSGS}} (30 September 1832 – 14 November 1914) was a British [[Victorian era]] general who became one of the most successful British military commanders of his time. Born in India to an [[Anglo-Irish]] family, Roberts joined the [[East India Company|East India Company Army]] and served as a young officer in the [[Indian rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] during which he was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for gallantry. He was then transferred to the [[British Army]] and fought in the [[1868 Expedition to Abyssinia|Expedition to Abyssinia]] and the [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]], in which his exploits earned him widespread fame. Roberts would go on to serve as the [[Commander-in-Chief, India]] before leading British Forces for a year during the [[Second Boer War]]. He also became the last [[Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]] before the post was abolished in 1904.

A man of small stature, Roberts was 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]] reached the height of its power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_bobs.htm |title=Poems - 'Bobs' |publisher=Kiplingsociety.co.uk |access-date=2018-05-23}}</ref> He became a symbol for the British Army and in later life became an influential proponent of stronger defence in response to the increasing threat that the [[German Empire]] posed to Britain in the lead up to the [[First World War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90732968 |title=16 November 1914 - The late Lord Roberts. - Trove |publisher=Trove.nla.gov.au |date=1914-11-16 |access-date=2018-05-23}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born at [[Cawnpore]], India, on 30 September 1832, Roberts was the son of [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Abraham Roberts|Sir Abraham Roberts]],<ref name="ODNB">{{cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/35768 |title= Roberts, Frederick Sleigh, first Earl Roberts (1832–1914) |access-date=25 February 2009 |last=Robson |first=Brian |year= 2008 |doi= 10.1093/ref:odnb/35768 }}</ref> who had been born into an [[Anglo-Irish people|Anglo-Irish]] family in [[County Waterford]] in the south-east of [[Ireland]].<ref name="ODNB"/> At the time, Sir Abraham was commanding the [[1st Bengal European Regiment]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=ny times|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9801E7D91F31E132A25755C1A9679C94669ED7CF | work=The New York Times | date=16 January 1897 | access-date=23 April 2010}}</ref> Roberts was named Sleigh in honour of the garrison commander, [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] William Sleigh.<ref name="ODNB"/> His mother was [[Edinburgh]]-born Isabella Bunbury,<ref name="ODNB"/> daughter of [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] Abraham Bunbury from Kilfeacle in [[County Tipperary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turtlebunbury.com/family/bunburyfamily_bunburys/bunbury_family_bunburys_kilfeacle.html |title=Bunbury of Kilfeacle Family History |publisher=Turtlebunbury.com |access-date=29 May 2011}}</ref>

Roberts was educated at [[Eton College|Eton]],<ref name="ODNB"/> [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst|Sandhurst]],<ref name="ODNB"/> and [[Addiscombe Military Seminary]]<ref name="ODNB"/> before entering the [[East India Company|East India Company Army]] as a [[second lieutenant]] with the [[Bengal Army|Bengal Artillery]] on 12 December 1851.<ref name="ODNB"/> He became [[Aide-de-Camp]] to his father in 1852, transferred to the [[Bengal Army|Bengal Horse Artillery]] in 1854 and was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] on 31 May 1857.<ref name=Heath246>Heathcote, p. 246.</ref>

==Indian Rebellion of 1857==
[[File:Lieutenant Roberts finding General Nicholson.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Lieutenant Frederick Roberts finding the mortally wounded [[John Nicholson (East India Company officer)|General Nicholson]] by the Kashmir Gate during the [[Siege of Delhi]].]]
Roberts fought in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], seeing action during the [[Siege of Delhi|siege and capture of Delhi]] where he was slightly wounded, and found a dying [[John Nicholson (East India Company officer)|John Nicholson]] amidst the chaos of the battle.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22095|page=673|date=10 February 1858}}</ref> He was then present at the [[Siege of Lucknow|relief of Lucknow]] where, as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, he was attached to the staff of [[Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde|Sir Colin Campbell]], [[Commander-in-Chief, India]].<ref name="ODNB"/> He was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for actions on 2 January 1858 at [[Khudaganj]].<ref name="ODNB"/> The citation reads:
{{quote|Lieutenant Roberts' gallantry has on every occasion been most marked. 
On following the retreating enemy on 2 January 1858, at Khodagunge, he saw in the distance two [[Sepoy]]s going away with a standard. Lieutenant Roberts put spurs to his horse, and overtook them just as they were about to enter a village. They immediately turned round, and presented their muskets at him, and one of the men pulled the trigger, but fortunately the caps snapped, and the standard-bearer was cut down by this gallant young officer, and the standard taken possession of by him. He also, on the same day, cut down another Sepoy who was standing at bay, with musket and bayonet, keeping off a [[Sowar]]. Lieutenant Roberts rode to the assistance of the horseman, and, rushing at the Sepoy, with one blow of his sword cut him across the face, killing him on the spot.<ref name="VC_citation">
{{London Gazette|issue=22212|page=5516|date=24 December 1858|nolink=y}}</ref>}}
He was also [[mentioned in despatches]] for his service at Lucknow in March 1858.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22143|page=2589|date=25 May 1858|nolink=y}}</ref> In common with other officers, he transferred from the East India Company Army to the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] that year.<ref name=Heath246/>

==Abyssinia and Afghanistan==
[[File:Captured Guns, Kabul WDL11485.png|thumb|left|Roberts and his staff inspecting captured Afghan artillery in the [[Sherpur Cantonment]], 1.5 km north of Kabul]]

Having been promoted to [[second captain]] on 12 November 1860<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22621|page=2232|date=29 April 1862|nolink=y}}</ref> and to [[Brevet (military)|brevet]] [[major]] on 13 November 1860,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22480|page=655|date=15 February 1861|nolink=y}}</ref> Roberts transferred to the [[British Army]] in 1861 and served in the [[Ambela campaign|Umbeyla]] and [[1868 Expedition to Abyssinia|Abyssinian campaigns]] of 1863 and 1867–1868 respectively.<ref name="ODNB"/> Having been promoted to brevet [[lieutenant colonel]] on 15 August 1868<ref name=heath247>Heathcote, p. 247.</ref> and to the substantive rank of [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 18 November 1868,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23442|page=5924|date=17 November 1868|nolink=y}}</ref> Roberts also fought in the [[Lushai Expedition|Lushai campaign]] of 1871–1872.<ref name="ODNB"/>

He was promoted to the substantive rank of [[major]] on 5 July 1872,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23876|page=3193|date=16 July 1872|nolink=y}}</ref> appointed [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] (CB) on 10 September 1872<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23895|page=3969|date=10 September 1872|nolink=y}}</ref> and promoted to brevet [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 30 January 1875.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24188|page=1528|date=9 March 1875|nolink=y}}</ref> That year he became Quartermaster-General of the Bengal Army.<ref name=heath247/>

He was given command of the [[Kurram Valley Field Force]] in October 1878 and took part in the [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]].{{sfn|Roberts|1896|p=348}} For his success at the [[Battle of Peiwar Kotal]] in December 1878, he received the thanks of [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]], was promoted to the substantive rank of [[major general]] on 31 December 1878<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24668|page=174|date=14 January 1879|nolink=y}}</ref> and was advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] (KCB) on 25 July 1879.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24747|page=4697|date=29 July 1879|nolink=y}}</ref>

The [[Treaty of Gandamak]] of May 1879 brought peace with Afghanistan. However, after the murder of [[Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari|Sir Louis Cavagnari]], the British envoy in [[Kabul]], in September 1879, the second phase of the war began.<ref name=heath247/> Roberts was put in command of the [[Kabul Field Force]] and despatched to [[Kabul]] to seek retribution. After victory at the [[Battle of Charasiab]] on 6 October 1879, Roberts occupied Kabul,<ref name="ODNB"/> and was given the local rank of [[lieutenant-general]] on 11 November 1879.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24837|page=2658|date=23 April 1880|nolink=y}}</ref> In December 1879, Roberts' force was [[Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment|besieged in the Sherpur Cantonment]] outside Kabul until, on 23 December, he repulsed a mass attack and reoccupied the city.<ref name="ODNB"/> In May 1880, Lieutenant General [[Sir Donald Stewart, 1st Baronet|Sir Donald Stewart]] arrived in Kabul from [[Kandahar]] with a further 7,200 troops, taking over the Kabul command from Roberts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26470|title=Sir Donald Stewart|last=Vetch |first=R.H.|publisher=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref>

After the defeat of a British brigade at [[Battle of Maiwand|Maiwand]] near Kandahar on 27 July 1880, Roberts was appointed commander of the Kabul and Kandahar Field Force. He led his 10,000 troops across 300 miles of rough terrain to relieve Kandahar and defeat [[Mohammad Ayub Khan (Emir of Afghanistan)|Ayub Khan]] at the [[Battle of Kandahar (1880)|Battle of Kandahar]] on 1 September 1880.<ref name="ODNB"/> For his services, Roberts again received the thanks of Parliament, and was advanced to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] (GCB) on 21 September 1880<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24886|page=5069|date=28 September 1880|nolink=y}}</ref> and appointed [[Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (CIE) during 1880.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozebook.com/ozebook2/roberts.htm|title=The Story of Lord Roberts by Edmund Francis Sellar|year=1906|access-date=24 February 2012|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626122118/http://www.ozebook.com/ozebook2/roberts.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts by George Frederic Watts.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Roberts painted by [[George Frederic Watts]]]]

After a very brief interval as [[Governor]] of [[KwaZulu-Natal Province|Natal]] and Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the [[Transvaal Province]] and High Commissioner for South Eastern Africa with effect from 7 March 1881,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24947|page=1071|date=8 March 1881|nolink=y}}</ref> Roberts (having become a [[baronet]] on 11 June 1881)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24984|page=3002|date=14 June 1881|nolink=y}}</ref> was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the [[Madras Army]] on 16 November 1881.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25034|page=5401|date=4 November 1881|nolink=y}}</ref> Promoted to the substantive rank of [[lieutenant general]] on 26 July 1883,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25268|page=4452|date=11 September 1883|nolink=y}}</ref> he became [[Commander-in-Chief, India]] on 28 November 1885<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25546|page=65|date=5 January 1886|nolink=y}}</ref> and was advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (KCIE) on 15 February 1887<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25673|page=787|date=15 February 1887|nolink=y}}</ref> and to [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (GCIE) on reorganisation of the Order on 21 June 1887.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25773|page=219|date=5 January 1888|nolink=y}}</ref> This was followed by his promotion to a supernumerary [[general]] on 28 November 1890<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26109|page=6463|date=25 November 1890|nolink=y}}</ref> and to the substantive rank of [[general]] on 31 December 1891.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26239|page=4|date=1 January 1892|nolink=y}}</ref> On 23 February 1892 he was created '''Baron Roberts''', of Kandahar in Afghanistan and of the [[Waterford|City of Waterford]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26260|page=990|date=23 February 1892|nolink=y}}</ref>

==Ireland==
After relinquishing his Indian command and becoming [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] (GCSI) on 3 June 1893,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26409|page=3252|date=3 June 1893|nolink=y}}</ref> Roberts was relocated to [[Ireland]] as [[Commander-in-Chief, Ireland|Commander-in-Chief of British forces there]] from 1 October 1895.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26667|page=5406|date=1 October 1895|nolink=y}}</ref> He was promoted [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|field marshal]] on 25 May 1895<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26628|page=3080|date=25 May 1895|nolink=y}}</ref> and created a knight of the [[Order of St Patrick]] in 1897.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pinetreeweb.com/roberts-bio.htm |title=Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204041103/http://www.pinetreeweb.com/roberts-bio.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012 }}</ref>

While in Ireland, Roberts completed a memoir of his years in India, which was published in 1897 as ''Forty-one Years in India: from Subaltern to Commander-in-chief''.<ref>Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar, [http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16528 ''Forty-one Years in India: from Subaltern to Commander-in-chief''] 1897, reprinted by Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 2005</ref>

==Second Anglo-Boer War==
[[File:Roberts Enters Kimberley.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Lord Roberts enters [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] after the relief of the besieged city, February 1900]]
On 23 December 1899 Roberts left England to return to South Africa with his chief of staff [[Horatio Kitchener|Lord Kitchener]] on the RMS [[RMS Dunottar Castle|''Dunottar Castle'']] to take overall command of British forces in the [[Second Boer War]], subordinating the previous commander, General [[Redvers Buller]]. He arrived in Cape Town on 10 January 1900.<ref>Chronicle of the 20th Century by John S Bowman</ref> His appointment was a response to a string of defeats in the early weeks of the war and was accompanied by the despatch of huge reinforcements.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27146|page=8541|date=22 December 1899|nolink=y}}</ref> For his headquarters staff, he appointed military men from far and wide: Kitchener (Chief of Staff) from the Sudan, [[Frederick Russell Burnham|Frederick Burnham]] (Chief of Scouts), the American scout, from the Klondike, [[George Francis Robert Henderson|George Henderson]] from the Staff College, [[Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain|Neville Chamberlain]] from Afghanistan and [[William Nicholson, 1st Baron Nicholson|William Nicholson]] (Military Secretary) from Calcutta.<ref>''Daily Mail'', 16 November 1914.</ref> Roberts launched a two-pronged offensive, personally leading the advance across the open [[veld]]t into the [[Orange Free State]], while Buller sought to eject the Boers from the hills of [[Colony of Natal|Natal]] – during which Lord [[Frederick Roberts (British Army officer)|Roberts's son]] was killed, earning a posthumous V.C.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27160|page=689|date=2 February 1900 }}</ref>

Having raised the [[Siege of Kimberley]], at the [[Battle of Paardeberg]] on 27 February 1900 Roberts forced the Boer General [[Piet Cronjé]] to surrender with some 4,000 men.<ref>"From the Front, AB Paterson's Dispatches from the Boer War", edited by RWF Droogleever, Pan MacMillan Australia, 2000.</ref> After another victory at [[Battle of Poplar Grove|Poplar Grove]], Roberts captured the Free State capital [[Bloemfontein]] on 13 March. His further advance was delayed by his disastrous attempt to reorganise his army's logistic system on the Indian Army model in the midst of the war. The resulting chaos and shortage of supplies contributed to a severe [[typhoid]] epidemic that inflicted far heavier losses on the British forces than they suffered in combat.<ref>Pakenham, p. 574.</ref>

On 3 May, Roberts resumed his offensive towards the [[Transvaal Colony|Transvaal]], capturing its capital [[Pretoria]] on 31 May. Having defeated the Boers at [[Battle of Diamond Hill|Diamond Hill]] and linked up with Buller, he won the last victory of his career at [[Battle of Bergendal|Bergendal]] on 27 August.<ref name=heath193>Heathcote 1999, p193</ref>
[[File:Cape Town QE4 138.jpg|thumb|Lord Roberts's arrival at [[Cape Town]]]]
Strategies devised by Roberts, to force the Boer [[commandos]] to submit, included concentration camps and the burning of farms. Conditions in the concentration camps, which had been conceived by Roberts as a form of control of the families whose farms he had destroyed, began to degenerate rapidly as the large influx of Boers outstripped the ability of the small British force to cope. The camps lacked space, food, sanitation, medicine, and medical care, leading to rampant disease and a very high death rate for those Boers who entered. By the war's end, 26,370 women and children (81% were children) had died in the concentration camps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/concentration-camps/camps2.php|title=Concentration camps|access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> For a brief period in 1900, Roberts also authorised the army's use of civilian hostages for the protection of trains from Boer guerrilla units.<ref> "The Transvaal. The attacks on the lines of communications". Evening Telegraph (Dundee). 23 July 1900. Available from the database, British Library Newspapers (Gale Primary Sources).</ref>

With the Boer republics' main towns occupied, and the war apparently effectively over, on 12 December 1900 Roberts handed over command to [[Horatio Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Lord Kitchener]].<ref name=heath249>Pakenham, p. 575; Heathcote, p. 249.</ref> Roberts returned to England to receive yet more honours: he was made a [[Knight of the Order of the Garter]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27290|page=1498|date=1 March 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> and also created '''Earl Roberts''', of Kandahar in Afghanistan and Pretoria in the [[Transvaal Colony]] and of the [[City of Waterford]], and '''Viscount St Pierre'''.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27283|page=1058|date=12 February 1901|nolink=y}}</ref>

He became a Knight of Grace of [[Venerable Order of Saint John|the Order of St John]] on 11 March 1901<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27293|page=1763|date=17 March 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> and then a Knight of Justice of that order on 3 July 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27330|page=4469|date=5 July 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> He was also awarded the German [[Order of the Black Eagle]] during the [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser's]] visit to the United Kingdom in February 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27311|page=3124|date=7 May 1901|nolink=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |date=6 February 1901 |page=7 |issue=36371|title=Emperor's visit}}</ref> He was among the original recipients of the [[Order of Merit]] in the [[1902 Coronation Honours]] list published on 26 June 1902,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Coronation Honours |date=26 June 1902 |page=5 |issue=36804}}</ref> and received the order from King [[Edward VII]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] on 8 August 1902.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Court Circular |date=9 August 1902 |page=6 |issue=36842}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27470|page=5679|date=2 September 1902|nolink=y}}</ref>

==Later life==
Lord Roberts became the last [[Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]] on 3 January 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27263|page=83|date=4 January 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> During his time in office he introduced the [[Lee–Enfield|Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle]] and the [[Ordnance QF 18-pounder|18-pounder Gun]] and provided improved education and training for soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/rg_lordroberts_atwood.htm|title='Across our fathers' graves': Kipling and Field-Marshall Lord Roberts|publisher=The Kipling Society|first=Rodney|last=Atwood|access-date=7 November 2015}}</ref> In September 1902, Lord Roberts and [[St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton|St John Brodrick]], Secretary of State for War, visited Germany to attend the German army manoeuvres as guest of the Emperor Wilhelm.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The German maneuvers|date=5 September 1902 |page=6 |issue=36865}}</ref> He served as Commander-in-Chief for three years before the post was abolished as recommended by [[Reginald Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher|Lord Esher]] in the [[Esher Report]] in February 1904.<ref name="ODNB"/>

He was the initial president of the [[Pilgrims Society]] during 1902.<ref>''The Pilgrims of Great Britain: A Centennial History '' (2002) – Anne Pimlott Baker, {{ISBN|1-86197-290-3}}.</ref>

===National Service League===
[[File:Field Marshall Earl Roberts.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Field Marshal Earl Roberts]]
Following his return from the Boer War, he was instrumental in promoting the mass training of civilians in rifle shooting skills through membership of shooting clubs, and a facsimile of his signature appears to this day on all official targets of the [[National Smallbore Rifle Association]].<ref>{{cite web |author=SHOT Backwards Design Company |url=http://www.rifleman.org.uk/W.W.Greener_martini_target_rifles.htm |title=W. W. Greener Martini Target Rifles |publisher=Rifleman.org.uk |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024085451/http://rifleman.org.uk/W.W.Greener_martini_target_rifles.htm |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In retirement he was a keen advocate of introducing compulsory military training in Britain, to prepare for a great European war. He campaigned for this as president of the [[National Service League]], holding the post from 1905 until 1914.<ref name="ODNB"/> In 1907 a selection of his speeches was published under the title ''A Nation in Arms''. Roberts provided [[William Le Queux]] with information for his novel ''[[The Invasion of 1910]]'' and checked the proofs.{{sfn|James|1954|p=424}} In 1910 Roberts' friend [[Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton|Ian Hamilton]], in co-operation with the Secretary of State for War, [[Richard Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane|Richard Haldane]], published ''Compulsory Service'' in which he attacked Roberts' advocacy of compulsory military training. This caused much hurt to Roberts. He replied, with the help of [[Leo Amery]] and [[John Adam Cramb|J. A. Cramb]], with ''Fallacies and Facts'' (1911).{{sfn|James|1954|pp=449–451}}

In a speech in Manchester's [[Free Trade Hall]] on 22 October 1912 Roberts pointed out that [[Richard Cobden|Cobden]] and [[John Bright|Bright]]'s prediction that peace and universal disarmament would follow the adoption of free trade had not happened. He further warned of the threat posed by Germany:
{{quote|In the year 1912, just as in [[Austro-Prussian War|1866]] and just as in [[Franco-Prussian War|1870]], war will take place the instant the German forces by land and sea are, by their superiority at every point, as certain of victory as anything in human calculation can be made certain...We may stand still. Germany always advances and the direction of her advance, the line along which she is moving, is now most manifest. It is towards...complete supremacy by land and sea.{{sfn|James|1954|p=457}}}}

[[File:Field Marshall Lord Roberts.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Roberts on his 82nd birthday, in First World War uniform]]
He claimed that Germany was making enormous efforts to prepare for war and ended his speech by saying:
{{quote|Gentlemen, only the other day I completed my eightieth year...and the words I am speaking to-day are, therefore, old words—the result of years of earnest thought and practical experience. But, Gentlemen, my fellow-citizens and fellow-Britishers, citizens of this great and sacred trust, this Empire, if these were my last words, I still should say to you—"arm yourselves" and if I put to myself the question, How can I, even at this late and solemn hour, best help England,—England that to me has been so much, England that for me has done so much—again I say, "Arm and prepare to acquit yourselves like men, for the day of your ordeal is at hand".{{sfn|James|1954|p=458}}}}
The historian [[A. J. A. Morris]] claimed that this speech caused a sensation due to Roberts' warnings about Germany.<ref>A. J. A. Morris, ''The Scaremongers. The Advocacy of War and Rearmament 1896–1914'' (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984), p. 320.</ref> It was much criticised by the Liberal and Radical press. The ''[[The Guardian|Manchester Guardian]]'' condemned the

<blockquote>insinuation that the German Government's views of international policy are less scrupulous and more cynical than those of other Governments...Prussia's character among nations is, in fact, not very different from the character which Lancashire men give to themselves as compared with other Englishmen. It is blunt, straightforward, and unsentimental.<ref>John Terraine, ''Impacts of War: 1914 & 1918'' (London: Leo Cooper, 1993), p. 36.</ref></blockquote>

''[[The Nation and Athenaeum|The Nation]]'' claimed Roberts had an "unimaginative soldier's brain" and that Germany was "a friendly Power" who since 1870 "has remained the most peaceful and the most self-contained, though doubtless not the most sympathetic, member of the European family".<ref>Terraine, p. 36.</ref> The historian [[John Terraine]], writing in 1993, said: "At this distance of time the verdict upon Lord Robert's Manchester speech must be that, in speaking out clearly on the probability of war, he was doing a patriotic service comparable to [[Winston Churchill|Churchill]]'s during the Thirties".<ref>Terraine, p. 38.</ref>

===Kandahar ski race===
Roberts became vice-president of the Public Schools Alpine Sports Club during 1903.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kandahar-taos.com/about.php |title=History of "Kandahar" |publisher=Kandahar-taos.com |date=11 January 1911 |access-date=29 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713134301/http://www.kandahar-taos.com/about.php |archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> Eight years later on 11 January 1911, the [[Roberts of Kandahar Challenge Cup]] (so named because Roberts donated the [[trophy cup]]) was organised at [[Crans-Montana]] (Crans-sur-Sierre) by winter sports pioneer [[Arnold Lunn]].<ref name=DailyTelegraph>''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3652606/25000-tomorrow.html "Switzerland: Strap on the poultice"] 20 January 2001 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028055732/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3652606/25000-tomorrow.html |date=28 October 2009 }}</ref> An important part of the [[history of skiing]], the races was a forerunner of the [[Downhill (ski competition)|downhill]] ski race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vermontskimuseum.org/history_archive.htm |title=From Afghanistan to Vermont; By Allen Adler |publisher=Vermontskimuseum.org |access-date=29 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718165130/http://www.vermontskimuseum.org/history_archive.htm |archive-date=18 July 2011}}</ref> The [[Kandahar Ski Club]], founded by Lunn, was named after the Cup and subsequently lent its name to the [[Arlberg-Kandahar|Arlberg-Kandahar ski race]]. The name Kandahar is still used for the premier races of the [[FIS Alpine Ski World Cup]] circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wamonline.com/winter03-04/historyofalpineskiing.htm |title=History of Alpine Skiing |publisher=Wamonline.com |date=1 May 2009 |access-date=29 May 2011}}</ref>

He took part in the funeral processions following the deaths of [[Queen Victoria]] in January 1901<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27316 |supp=y|page=3550|date=22 May 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> and [[Edward VII|King Edward VII]] in May 1910.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28401 |supp=y|page=5481|date=26 July 1910|nolink=y}}</ref>

===Curragh incident===
Roberts was approached for advice about the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]], formed in January 1913 by Ulstermen who had no wish to be part of a [[Government of Ireland Act 1914|Home Rule Ireland]]. Too old himself to take active command, Roberts recommended Lieutenant General [[George Richardson (Indian Army officer)|Sir George Richardson]], formerly of the Indian Army, as commander.<ref>Holmes 2004, p. 166.</ref>

On the morning of 20 March – the morning of [[Arthur Paget (British Army officer)|Paget]]'s speech which provoked the [[Curragh incident]], in which [[Hubert Gough]] and other officers threatened to resign rather than coerce Ulster – Roberts, aided by [[Sir Henry Wilson, 1st Baronet|Wilson]], drafted a letter to [[H. H. Asquith|the Prime Minister]], urging him not to cause a split in the army.<ref>Holmes 2004, pp. 179–180.</ref>

Roberts had asked the [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS)]] [[John French, 1st Earl of Ypres|John French]] to come and see him at Ascot on 19 March; French had been too busy but invited Roberts to visit him when next in London. On the morning of 21 March Roberts and French had an acrimonious telephone conversation in which Roberts told French that he would share the blame if he collaborated with the Cabinet's "dastardly" attempt to coerce Ulster, and then, after French told him that he would "do his duty as a soldier" and obey lawful orders, put the phone down on him. Soon after, Roberts received a telegram from [[Hubert Gough]], purporting to ask for advice, although possibly designed to goad him into further action. Roberts requested an audience with [[George V|King George V]], who told him that [[J. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone|Seely]] (Secretary of State for War), to whom the King had recently spoken, had complained that Roberts was "at the bottom" of the matter, had incited Gough, and had called the politicians "swine and robbers" in his phone conversation with French. Roberts indignantly denied this, claiming that he had not been in contact with Gough for "years" and that he had advised officers not to resign.<ref name="Holmes 2004, p181-3">Holmes 2004, pp. 181–183.</ref> Roberts's claim may not be the whole truth as Gough was on first name terms with Roberts's daughter and later gave her copies of key documents relating to the Incident.<ref>Holmes 2004, p. 172.</ref>
[[File:Lord roberts of kandahar.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|''Lord Roberts of Kabul and Kandahar on his Celebrated Charger''<ref>''[[Harper's Magazine]]'', European Edition, December 1897, p. 27.</ref>]]
Roberts also had an interview with Seely (he was unable to locate French, who was in fact himself having an audience with the King at the time) but came away thinking him "drunk with power", although he learned that Paget had been acting without authority (in talking of "commencing active operations" against Ulster and in offering officers a chance to discuss hypothetical orders and to threaten to resign) and left a note for Hubert Gough to this effect. This note influenced the Gough brothers in being willing to remain in the Army, albeit with a written guarantee that the Army would not have to act against Ulster. After Roberts's lobbying, the King insisted that Asquith make no further troop movements in Ulster without consulting him.<ref name="Holmes 2004, p181-3"/>

Roberts wrote to French (22 March) denying the "swine and robbers" comment, although French's reply stressed his hurt that Roberts had thought so ill of him.<ref>Holmes 2004, p. 189.</ref>

===Death===
Roberts died of [[pneumonia]] at [[Saint-Omer|St Omer]], France, on 14 November 1914 while visiting Indian troops fighting in the [[World War I|First World War]].<ref name="ODNB"/> His body was taken to Ascot by special train for a funeral service on 18 November before being taken to London.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Spark|first1=Stephen|title=Forum|journal=Backtrack|date=December 2016|volume=30|issue=12|page=765}}</ref> After [[lying in state]] in [[Westminster Hall]] (one of only two people who were not members of the royal family to do so during the 20th century, the other being [[Winston Churchill|Sir Winston Churchill]]), he was given a [[state funeral]] and was then buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.<ref name="ODNB"/>

Roberts had lived at [[Englemere House]] at [[Ascot, Berkshire|Ascot]] in [[Berkshire]]. His estate was probated during 1915 at £77,304<ref name="ODNB"/> (equivalent to £{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|77304|1914|r=-3}}|0}} today).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}

==Honours==
[[File:Statue of Earl Roberts, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Statue of Earl Roberts by [[Harry Bates (sculptor)|Harry Bates]], Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow]]
[[File:Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts by John Singer Sargent.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Lord Roberts by [[John Singer Sargent]]]]
On 28 February 1908 he was awarded the [[Volunteer Decoration|Volunteer Officers' Decoration]] in recognition of his honorary service in the [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer Force]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28114|page=1402|date=28 February 1908|nolink=y}}</ref>

His long list of honorary military posts included: honorary colonel of the [[London Regiment (1908–1938)|2nd London Corps]] from 24 September 1887,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25741|page=5101|date=23 September 1887|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 5th Battalion, the [[Sherwood Foresters|Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment)]] from 29 December 1888,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25888|page=7421|date=28 December 1888|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 1st Newcastle upon Tyne (Western Division), Royal Artillery from 18 April 1894,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26504|page=2176|date=17 April 1894|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the Waterford Artillery (Southern Division) from 4 March 1896,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26717|page=1271|date=3 March 1896|nolink=y}}</ref> colonel-commandant of the Royal Artillery from 7 October 1896,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26791|page=6008|date=3 November 1896|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the [[3rd (3rd Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment|3rd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment]] from 1 January 1898,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26924|page=7856|date=31 December 1897|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the City of London Imperial Volunteers from 10 March 1900,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27172|page=1632|date=9 March 1900|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, the [[Gloucestershire Regiment]] from 5 September 1900,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27226|page=5469|date=4 September 1900|nolink=y}}</ref> colonel of the [[Irish Guards]] from 17 October 1900,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27238|page=6324|date=16 October 1900|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 2nd Hampshire (Southern Division), [[Royal Garrison Artillery]] from 15 August 1901,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27357|page=6175|date=20 September 1901|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 3rd (Dundee Highland) Volunteer Battalion, the [[Black Watch|Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)]] from 19 September 1903,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27598|page=5791|date=18 September 1903|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the [[North Somerset Yeomanry]] from 1 April 1908,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28180|page=6944|date=25 September 1908|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 6th Battalion, the City of London (Rifles') Regiment from 1 April 1908,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28188|page=7652|date=23 October 1908|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of the 1st Wessex Brigade from 1 April 1908,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28180|page=6946|date=25 September 1908|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of 6th Battalion, The [[Gloucestershire Regiment]] from 1 April 1908,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28253|page=3874|date=21 May 1909|nolink=y}}</ref> honorary colonel of The Waterford Royal Field Reserve Artillery from 2 August 1908<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28200|page=9032|date=27 November 1908|nolink=y}}</ref> and honorary colonel of 1st (Hull) Battalion, The [[East Yorkshire Regiment]] from 11 November 1914 (three days before his death).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28969|page=9135|date=10 November 1914|nolink=y}}</ref> Additionally he was Colonel of the [[National Reserve (United Kingdom)|National Reserve]] from 5 August 1911.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28520|page=5919|date=8 August 1911|nolink=y}}</ref>

Lord Roberts received civic honours from a number of universities, cities and livery companies, including:
* Honorary [[Freedom of the City]] of [[Cardiff]] – ''26 January 1894''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Your-Council/Lord-Mayor/honorary-freedom/Documents/freedom%20roll%20list%20June%202014.pdf|title=Freedom Roll|publisher=City of Cardiff|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the borough of [[Portsmouth]] – 1898 (and received a Sword of Honour from the town in 1902)<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Portsmouth |date=24 October 1902 |page=3 |issue=36907}}</ref>
*Honorary Freedom of the City of [[Canterbury]] – ''26 August 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts and Sir J. French at Canterbury|date=27 August 1902 |page=9 |issue=36857}}</ref>
*Honorary Freedom of the borough of [[Dover]] – ''28 August 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Dover|date=29 August 1902 |page=10 |issue=36859}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the City of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] – ''26 September 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Bath|date=27 September 1902 |page=6 |issue=36884}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the City of [[Winchester]] – ''9 October 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Winchester|date=10 October 1902 |page=8 |issue=36895}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the City of [[Liverpool]] – ''11 October 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener in Liverpool|date=13 October 1902 |page=8 |issue=36897}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the borough of [[Croydon]] – ''14 October 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Croydon|date=15 October 1902 |page=4 |issue=36899}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom of the borough of [[Bournemouth]] – ''22 October 1902''<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts at Bournemouth|date=23 October 1902 |page=6 |issue=36906}}</ref>
* Honorary Freeman, [[Worshipful Company of Fishmongers]]<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener in the City |date=8 October 1902 |page=4 |issue=36893}}</ref>
* Honorary Freedom and livery of the [[Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths]] – ''6 November 1902'' – "in recognition of his distinguished services to the country".<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title= Court Circular|date=7 November 1902 |page=8 |issue=36919}}</ref>

In 1893 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the [[Royal Scottish Geographical Society]] (FRSGS).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsgs.org/inspiring-people/medals-awards/honorary-fellowship/|title=Honorary Fellowship|publisher=Royal Scottish Geographical Society|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105303/https://rsgs.org/inspiring-people/medals-awards/honorary-fellowship/|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Family==
Roberts married Nora Henrietta Bews, the daughter of Captain John Bews on 17 May 1859. The couple had the following six children of whom three, a son and two daughters, survived infancy:<ref name="ODNB"/>

* Nora Frederica Roberts. Born 10 March 1860, died 3 March 1861
* Eveleen Sautelle Roberts. Born 18 July 1868, died 8 February 1869.
* Frederick Henry Roberts. Born August 1869, died August 1869.
* [[Aileen Roberts, 2nd Countess Roberts|Aileen Mary Roberts]]. Born 20 September 1870, died 9 October 1944.
* [[Frederick Roberts (British Army officer)|Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts]]. Born 8 January 1872, died 17 December 1899.
* Ada Edwina Stewart Roberts. Born 28 March 1875, died. 21 February 1955.

Roberts' son, [[The Honourable|The Hon.]] [[Frederick Roberts (British Army officer)|Frederick Roberts]], VC, was killed in action on 17 December 1899 at the [[Battle of Colenso]] during the Boer War. Roberts and his son were one of only three pairs of fathers and sons to be awarded the VC. Today, their Victoria Crosses are in the [[National Army Museum]]. His [[baron]]y became extinct, but, by the special [[Remainder (law)|remainder]] granted with them, he was succeeded in the [[earldom]] and [[viscount]]cy by his elder surviving daughter, Aileen.<ref name=heath250>Heathcote, p. 250.</ref> She was succeeded by her younger sister, Edwina.<ref name="ODNB"/>

==Publications==
*Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar, ''[http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16528 Forty-One Years in India: from Subaltern to Commander-in-chief]'' (1897, reprinted Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 2005)
*Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar, ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55235 Lord Roberts' Message to the Nation]'' (1912, John Murray, London)

==Legacy==
In March 1898, a statue of Lord Roberts, sculpted by [[Harry Bates (sculptor)|Harry Bates]], was unveiled on the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Maidan]] in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]].<ref name=Transculturation>{{cite book |last= Codell |first=Julie F. |date=2012 |title=Transculturation in British Art, 1770-1930 |publisher=Ashgate |isbn=978-1409409779}}</ref> The statue of Roberts on horseback sits on a pedestal with [[relief]]s on each side depicting Sikh, Highlander and Gurkha cavalry and infantry, and statues of Britannia/Victory and India/Fortitude in front and behind.<ref name=Transculturation /> After the statue was commissioned Roberts started sitting for the sculptor in 1894 and a bust was displayed at the [[Royal Academy of Arts]] in 1896.<ref name=Transculturation /> After Roberts death in 1914, money was raised to place a copy of the Calcutta statue as a memorial in [[Kelvingrove Park]], [[Glasgow]].<ref name=Transculturation /><ref>{{cite web|title=Lord Roberts statue|url=http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/West_End/Kelvingrove_Park/Kelvingrove_Park_-_Lord_Roberts_Statue.htm}}</ref> Almost identical to the original statue, the memorial in Glasgow only includes minor changes like the inclusion of a quote from a speech Roberts gave in Glasgow in 1913 to promote national service.<ref name=Transculturation /> "''I seem to see the gleam in the near distance of the weapons and accoutrements of this Army of the future, this Citizen Army, the wonder of these islands, and the pledge of peace and of the continued greatness of this Empire.''" The memorial was unveiled by his widow.<ref>{{cite web|title=British Pathe news|url=http://www.britishpathe.com/video/lady-roberts-unveils-memorial-to-her-husband-lord}}</ref> A second copy of the [[Equestrian statue of the Earl Roberts, London|statue]] was erected on [[Horse Guards Parade]] in London and unveiled in 1924.<ref name=Transculturation /><ref>Tabor, ''inside front cover''</ref> It is smaller and simpler than the other two, and sits on a simpler pedestal without the reliefs or extra figures.<ref name=Transculturation /> After Indian independence from the British Empire, the Roberts statue in Calcutta was moved with other statues to [[Barrackpore]] in the 1970s, and then by itself to the Artillery Centre, [[Nashik Road]].<ref name=Transculturation />

Roberts Barracks at [[Larkhill Garrison]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/HermesUavReaches30000hourMilestoneInAfghanistan.htm|title=Hermes UAV reaches 30,000-hour milestone in Afghanistan|date=9 December 2010|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> and the town of [[Robertsganj]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] are named after him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/robertsganj|archive-url=https://archive.today/2012.07.07-060102/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/robertsganj|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|title=Communists to boycott poll in Robertsganj|date=2 April 2009|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School in [[London, Ontario]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvdsb.ca/LordRoberts.cfm|title=Welcome to Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School|publisher=Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> Lord Roberts Junior Public School in [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough]], [[Ontario]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/lordroberts/|title=Welcome to Lord Roberts Junior Public School|publisher=Lord Roberts Junior Public School|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> and Lord Roberts Elementary Schools in Vancouver, British Columbia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lordroberts.vsb.bc.ca/mainsite/index.html|title=Our mission statement|publisher=Lord Roberts Elementary School|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> and [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]] are named after him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.wsd1.org/lordroberts1/|title=Lord Roberts School – Our School|publisher=Lord Roberts School|access-date=24 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423030903/http://blogs.wsd1.org/lordroberts1/|archive-date=23 April 2012}}</ref> Roberts is also a Senior Boys house at the [[Duke of York's Royal Military School]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doyrms.com/structure.html |title=Structure |publisher=Duke of York's Royal Military School |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819061447/http://www.doyrms.com/structure.html |archive-date=19 August 2013}}</ref>

The Lord Roberts Centre – a facility at the [[National Shooting Centre]] built for the [[2002 Commonwealth Games results#Shooting|2002 Commonwealth Games]], and HQ of the [[National Smallbore Rifle Association]] (which Roberts was fundamental in founding) is named in his honour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief History |url=https://www.nsra.co.uk/index.php/home/reference/history/brief-history?task=view&id=31 |website=National Smallbore Rifle Association |access-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419171400/https://www.nsra.co.uk/index.php/home/reference/history/brief-history?task=view&id=31 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |language=English |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 May 1900 Pretoria surrendered to the British commander-in-chief, Lord Roberts.<ref name = "SESA">{{cite encyclopedia|title = Voortrekkerhoogte, Tvl|encyclopedia = Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa|volume = 11|pages = 282–3|publisher = Nasou Limited|year = 1971|isbn = 978-0-625-00324-2}}</ref> Due to the prevalence of malaria and because the area had become too small, he relocated his headquarters from the vicinity of the Normal College to a high-lying site 10 km south-west of the city – hence the name Roberts Heights.<ref name = "SESA"/> Roberts Heights, a busy military town, the largest in South Africa and resembling [[Aldershot]], soon developed.<ref name = "SESA"/> On 15 December 1938 the name was changed to Voortrekkerhoogte<ref name = "SESA"/> and again to [[Thaba Tshwane]] on 19 May 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/1998/98916_2479810881.htm|title=The 1998 speech by South Africa's Minister of Defence on the renaming of Voortrekkerhoogte to Thaba Tshwane|publisher=South African Government|access-date=24 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050411042522/http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/1998/98916_2479810881.htm|archive-date=11 April 2005}}</ref>

On a visit to the [[Victoria Falls]], one of the larger islands just upstream of the Falls was named Kandahar Island in his honour.<ref>Fuller: "Some South African Scenes and Flowers." page 63, "The Victorian Naturalist" Vol XXXII August 1915</ref>

The grave of Roberts' charger Vonolel (named after a Lushai King whose descendants Roberts had fought in 1871) is marked by a headstone in the gardens of The [[Royal Hospital Kilmainham]], in [[Dublin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comeheretome.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/the-grave-of-vonolel-the-famous-and-bemedalled-horse/ |title=The grave of Vonolel, the famous and bemedalled horse|date=22 June 2010|access-date=8 January 2011}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
[[File:Memorial of Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts in Glasgow.jpg|right|thumb|Monument of Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, in [[Glasgow]]]]
* {{cite book|last=Atwood|first= Rodney|title= The March to Kandahar: Roberts in Afghanistan|publisher= Pen & Sword publishing |year=2008|isbn=978-1-84884-672-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Atwood|first= Rodney|title= Roberts and Kitchener in South Africa|publisher= Pen & Sword publishing|year= 2011|isbn= 978-1-84884-483-4}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Roberts, Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Earl|volume=23|pages=403–405}}
* {{cite book|last=Hannah|first= W. H.|title=Bobs, Kipling's General: The Life of Field-Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.|location=London|publisher= Lee Cooper|year= 1972| isbn= 085052038X |oclc=2681649}}
* {{cite book | last=Heathcote |first= Tony| title =The British Field Marshals 1736–1997 | publisher =Pen & Sword Books Ltd | year = 1999|isbn=0-85052-696-5}}
*{{Cite book|last=Holmes|first=Richard|title=The Little Field Marshal: A Life of Sir John French|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year=2004|isbn=0-297-84614-0}}
*{{Cite book|last=James|first=David|title=The Life of Lord Roberts|publisher=Hollis & Carter|location=London|year=1954}}
* {{cite book|last=Low|first=Charles Rathbone|author-link=Charles Rathbone Low|title= Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts: a Memoir|url=https://archive.org/details/majorgeneralsirf00lowciala|publisher= London, W.H. Allen & Co|year= 1883|asin=B008UD4EBK}}
* {{cite web|last=Orans |first=Lewis P |title=Lord Roberts of Kandahar. Biography |work=The Pine Tree Web |url=http://www.pinetreeweb.com/roberts-bio.htm |access-date=3 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204041103/http://www.pinetreeweb.com/roberts-bio.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012}}
* {{cite book | last=Pakenham|first=Thomas |title= The Scramble for Africa |publisher=Abacus|year=1991|isbn=978-0349104492}}
* {{cite book |last= Roberts | first = Frederick Sleigh | title = The Rise of Wellington | publisher = Sampson Low, Marston and Co. | year = 1895 |location= London |url = https://archive.org/details/riseofwellington00robeuoft |oclc= 2181145 }}
* {{cite book | last = Roberts | first = Frederick Sleigh | title = Forty-One Years in India | publisher = Richard Bentley and Son | year = 1896 | location = London | url = http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16528 | isbn =978-1402177422 }}
* {{cite book|last=Sellar|first=Edmund Francis|title=The Story of Lord Roberts, The Children's Heroes Series No.14|location=London|publisher=T.C. & E.C. Jack|year=1906}}
* {{Cite book|last=Tabor|first= Paddy|title=The Household Cavalry Museum|publisher= Ajanta Book Publishing|year= 2010| isbn=978-1-84820-882-7}}
*{{cite book |first=H.M. |last=Vibart |title=Addiscombe: its heroes and men of note |place=Westminster |publisher=Archibald Constable |year=1894 |pages=592–603 |ol=23336661M }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts}}
* {{Gutenberg author |id=Roberts,+Frederick+Sleigh+Roberts,+Earl | name=Frederick Sleigh Roberts}}
* {{Internet Archive author|name=Frederick Sleigh Roberts}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110715084506/http://www.pinetreeweb.com/roberts-honours.htm Lord Roberts' British Honours]
* [http://www.garenewing.co.uk/angloafghanwar/articles/roberts_funeral.php Account of Earl Roberts' funeral]
* [http://www.historicaleye.com/Roberts.html Frederick Roberts and the long road to Kandahar]
* [[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]]: [http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?search=ss&sText=Roberts&LinkID=mp03806 Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (1832–1914), Field Marshal]
* {{20th Century Press Archives|FID=pe/024125}}

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{{s-bef|before=[[Neville Bowles Chamberlain|Sir Neville Chamberlain]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Madras Army|Commander-in-Chief, Madras Army]]|years=1880–1885}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Herbert Macpherson|Sir Herbert Macpherson]]}}
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{{S-bef|before=[[Sir Donald Stewart, 1st Baronet|Sir Donald Stewart]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief, India]] |years=1885–1893}}
{{S-aft|after=[[George White (British Army officer)|Sir George White]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley|The Viscount Wolseley]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief, Ireland]] |years=1895–1900}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn|Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Redvers Buller|Sir Redvers Buller]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in South Africa|Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in South Africa]]|years=1900}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|The Lord Kitchener of Khartoum]]}}
{{S-bef|before=The Viscount Wolseley}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]] |years=1900–1904}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Neville Lyttelton|Sir Neville Lyttelton]] |as=[[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]]}}

{{S-hon}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Collingwood Dickson|Sir Collingwood Dickson]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Master Gunner, St James's Park]] |years=1904–1914}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Robert Biddulph (British Army officer)|Sir Robert Biddulph]]}}

{{S-reg|uk}}
{{S-new|creation}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Earl Roberts]]|years=1901–1914}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Aileen Roberts, 2nd Countess Roberts|Aileen Roberts]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Chief of the General Staff}}
{{Anglo-Afghan Wars}}
{{Commander-in-Chief, India}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl}}
[[Category:1832 births]]
[[Category:1914 deaths]]
[[Category:Alumni of Addiscombe Military Seminary]]
[[Category:People of Anglo-Irish descent]]
[[Category:Bengal Artillery officers]]
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[[Category:British Commanders-in-Chief of India]]
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[[Category:British military personnel of the Umbeyla Campaign]]
[[Category:Burials at St Paul's Cathedral]]
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Ireland]]
[[Category:Commanders-in-chief of Madras]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in France]]
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[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
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[[Category:Peers of the United Kingdom created by Queen Victoria]]
[[Category:Peers created by Edward VII]]
[[Category:Military personnel of British India]]
[[Category:Members of the Council of the Governor General of India]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Frederick Roberts 1st Earl Roberts