Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood was a senior and highly decorated and distinguished British Indian Army officer. He saw active service in the Second Boer War on the staff of Lord Kitchener. Birdwood saw action again in the First World War, initially as commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, leading the landings on the peninsula and then the evacuation later in the year, before becoming commander of the Australian Corps and the Fifth Army on the Western Front during the closing stages of the war. He then went on to be general officer commanding the Northern Army in India in 1920 and Commander-in-Chief, India, in 1925, and retired as a field marshal.
William Birdwood, Anglo-Indian field marshal (born 1865)
On May 17, in the year 1951, William Birdwood, Anglo-Indian field marshal (born 1865). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of May 17, one of 434 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including William Birdwood. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on May 17, 1951 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 6 May 2026.
On This Date in History 434
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
People Involved
More on May 17
Frank G
Frank Gill Slaughter, pen-name Frank G. Slaughter, pseudonym C. V. Terry, was an American novelist and physician whose books sold more than 60 million copies. His novels drew on h…
Frank G
Donald Coggan, English archbishop (born 1909)
Frederick Donald Coggan, Baron Coggan, was the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury from 1974 to 1980. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he "revived morale within the Church of England, open…
Donald Coggan, English archbishop (born 1909)
Bruce Fairbairn, Canadian trumpet player and producer (born 1949)
Bruce Earl Fairbairn was a Canadian musician and record producer.
Bruce Fairbairn, Canadian trumpet player and producer (born 1949)
Lembit Oll, Estonian chess Grandmaster (born 1966)
Lembit Oll was an Estonian chess grandmaster.
Lembit Oll, Estonian chess Grandmaster (born 1966)
Kevin Gilbert, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1966)
Kevin Matthew Gilbert was an American singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and producer. He was best known for his solo progressive rock projects, Toy Matinee and his contribut…
Kevin Gilbert, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1966)
Toe Blake, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1912)
Joseph Hector "Toe" Blake was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League (NHL). Blake played in the NHL from 1935 to 1948 with the Montreal Maroons and M…
Toe Blake, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1912)
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.