Allenby, Field Marshal 1st Lord Allenby (1861-1936), earlier General Sir Edmund Allenby

Commander of British forces in the successful Middle East campaign in the First World War, capturing Jerusalem and Damascus and decisively defeating the Turks at Megiddo.

Prior to the First World War, Allenby had served with the Inniskilling Dragoons in several African campaigns, 1884-1902, then commanding the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, 1902-1905, the 4th Cavalry Brigade to 1910 and becoming Inspector of Cavalry, 1910-1914. When war broke out, he commanded the cavalry in 1914, and the Fifth Army Corps, 1915, leading the Third Army, 1915-1917. During the Middle East campaign he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 1917-1919 and also throughout the Palestine Campaign (during which he was made Field-Marshal and Viscount). After the war he continued in the Middle East as High Commissioner for Egypt, 1919-1925.