Body of First World War general brought 'home' to Portsmouth | Nostalgia

General Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baron Rawlinson, was one of the great generals of the First World War.
By Bob Hind
Published 14th Oct 2020, 17:53 GMT
HMS Torbay at South Railway Jetty with the coffin of General Rawlinson in 1925. Picture: Robert James collection.HMS Torbay at South Railway Jetty with the coffin of General Rawlinson in 1925. Picture: Robert James collection.
HMS Torbay at South Railway Jetty with the coffin of General Rawlinson in 1925. Picture: Robert James collection.

He commanded one million men before the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

In 1918, for a planned attack on the city of Amiens, General Haig gave Rawlinson command of virtually the whole of the British armoured force.

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The battle of Amiens was a complete success which led to the end of the war.

Is that you? A 1973 look along Commercial Road across to Station Street. Picture: News archiveIs that you? A 1973 look along Commercial Road across to Station Street. Picture: News archive
Is that you? A 1973 look along Commercial Road across to Station Street. Picture: News archive

In 1920 Rawlinson was made Commander-in-Chief, India. On March 28, 1925, aged 61, he died after an operation for a stomach ailment. His body was carried back to England on SS Assaye and transferred to the destroyer HMS Torbay in the Channel. On arrival at South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Dockyard, his remains were taken to Trent, Dorset, for interment.

• In the second picture we are looking south along Commercial Road in 1973 with the site of demolished public houses either side of Station Street.

Were the two women in the foreground readers of The News I wonder? If it is you please let me know who you are.

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