First World War officers who fought at Omdurman and the Boer War

Several prominent British senior commanders in the First World War built their reputations fighting at the Battle of Omdurman (1898) and during the Second Boer War (1899–1902).  How did they adapt to the very different conditions in the First World War ?  The long-range rifle fire of the Boer War had already imposed new tactics of concealment, cover, and fire and movement. 

Field Marshal Douglas Haig (1st Earl Haig) participated in the Sudan campaign including Omdurman (1897–1898) and the Boer War (1899–1902), later commanding the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front during World War I. 

Field Marshal Edmund Allenby (1st Viscount Allenby): Served with distinction as a cavalry leader in the Boer War and later led Allied forces against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East during World War I, one of few sectors where cavalry could still take an attacking role successfully.

Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston: Served on Kitchener's staff during both Omdurman and the Boer War, and later commanded VIII Corps at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in World War I.

We are honoured to welcome our speaker Peter Hart who has written numerous books on the First World War, as well as TV appearances and podcasts.