Herbert Lumsden

Lieutenant-General Herbert Lumsden, CB, DSO, MC, psc (8 April 1897 - 6 January 1945) was a British Army general during World War II.

Early career

Herbert Lumsden was born in 1897, the son of John Lumsden. Educated at Eton, at the outbreak of World War I he was only 17 years old. He served in the ranks with the Territorial Force for ten months before passing into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned into the Royal Horse Artillery on 13 August 1916. On 26 July 1918 Lumsden was awarded the Military Cross. The citation read;

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during 13 days of continuous fighting in charge of a forward section. He invariably showed the greatest coolness and courage in the face of danger, keeping his section in action, and always volunteering for any officer's patrol work. As FOO he was consistently shelled whenever he moved his OP, and, although finally wounded, he continued to work and observe for his battery.

Interbellum period

On 19 April 1923 Lumsden married Alice Mary Roddick in Northaw. They would have two sons together. Lumsden continued to serve in the Royal Artillery until 24 June 1925 when he transferred to the 12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales), a cavalry regiment. In August he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain after eight years in the former rank. He was an ardent horseman, despite his 6 ft height, and participated in a number of Grand...
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