Birdie More than Soul of Anzac

Winner of the 2023 Chapple (First Book) Prize by the Society of Army Historical Research

A number of leading British and Australian historians have cited that a comprehensive study of Field Marshal Lord Birdwood is long overdue. He was a very significant general at Gallipoli, commanding the Anzacs, and leading the successful final evacuations. Throughout his life he displayed great diplomatic acumen and his later years were both militarily and politically significant. 

Richard Farrimond’s Birdie deals with one of the most long-lived of the senior British officers of the Great War, William Birdwood (1865-1951) … seemingly easy to pigeon-hole: classic Indian Army officer, protégé of Kitchener, somewhat indolent corps and army commander who seemed to avoid the catastrophes and controversies … commander-in-chief in India and field marshal, enjoying a long and apparently fulfilled retirement. Farrimond’s biography – the first study of Birdwood’s entire life – complicates that easy characterisation, in the most productive way. … a career which did not rely merely on luck, patronage or amiability, though Birdwood benefitted from all three: he could easily have been killed at Colenso in South Africa or on Gallipoli. As Farrimond shows, Birdwood worked hard … and possessed a solid core of competence and command which belied his agreeable style. … There was indeed more to Birdwood than we might have assumed … In taking us with him on this journey – riding alongside Birdie, as it were – Richard Farrimond proves a thorough and thought- provoking companion and guide. Thanks to his Birdie, we can never again look on Birdwood with such complacency. Professor Peter Stanley, FAHA University of New South Wales, Canberra

"This new biography of Lord Birdwood does what every good book should do: it makes you want to read more about its subject. This biography has a fascinating story to tell. It is extremely well researched and raises many questions about every aspect of his career. Recommended." The Douglas Haig Fellowship Records, Issue 26, Dec 2023

".....When I agreed to review a new, much-needed biography of ‘Birdie’, I had forgotten that I had met the author at a history event some years ago. Our mutual interest in Birdwood, Ian Hamilton and all things Gallipolian made for a nice evening. Now I have the pleasure of commending to you all a splendid piece of work." Stand To! Issue 133 Mar 2024

"Until now there has not been a biography of the last man to be war appointed to command an army during the war, William Birdwood. However Richard Farrimond’s new biography has now come to the rescue with a very readable, detailed biography given that as with many senior generals the source material was sometimes scant." Great War Group Magazine