Lieut.-General
Sir Herbert Croftom Campbell Uniaeke
K.C.M.G.
68
THE YPRES TIMES
Appreciations.
THE death of General Sir Herbert Uniacke is a very sad loss to all who knew him,
and indeed to England, for he was one of her great sons.
Brought up in the Artillery, there was no one who understood how to handle
that great arm better than he did, even when its power and magnitude during the course
of the late war had increased beyond anything that any of us could have foreseen.
But it was not his professional knowledge alone that entitled him to the admiration,
the respect, and the affection of those who served with him it was his great character,
one that was typical of the race.
I saw him in many moments of intense storm and stress, when a lesser soul would
have collapsed under the strain, but he never faltered, his great spirit never quailed, nor
did he ever fear responsibility nor shirk a great decision.
Moreover, he had other splendid human qualities which endeared him to his fellows,
for he possessed a sense of humour and a merry wit, he never deserted a friend, he was the
soul of loyalty. His loss is a very heavy one for us all.
Hubert Gough,
General.
On May 17th, Herbert Uniacke was laid to rest by the River, in the Parish Churchyard
at Marlow.
It would be safe to say that no reader of this journal, no gunner and few members
of the B.E.F., can have seen the notice of his death, without feeling keen regret that a
great figure of the 1914-1918 war has passed on at the comparatively early age of 67
but, mingled with that regret, his friends must feel glad that the suffering and pain which
he has patiently endured for the last three years has been ended, and that a good and
faithful servant has gone to his last home.
Before the war Uniacke had been for some years a member of the R.A. Committee,
and was therefore largely responsible for the equipment of the Artillery of the B.E.F.
He went to France in command of a Brigade of Horse Artillery, but early 1915 he
was selected to the Command of one of the two Heavy Artillery Groups which were then
being formed and held this command in the Ypres Salient until November, 1915, when
he went to the Somme as G.O.C., R.A. of the 3rd Corps. When the 5th Army was formed
in 1916, General Uniacke was selected for its Major-General, R.A., and it was in this role
that he was best known.
A cheery optimist in fair weather and foul, no one went to his office or was visited
by him, who did not feel the better for it. He brought a great mind to bear on the
problems of war and instilled confidence and affection in those of all ranks who served
under him.
With a real knowledge of the possibilities and the limitations of artillery fire, he was
always ready to try out any improvement which was suggested to him and with a
versatility, which was not too common, he was continually thinking out new methods
of bombardment and new ways of surprising the enemy. There was nothing small about
Uniacke, he never belittled the work of others, and all who served under him were certain
of his advice and support in any difficulties.
When the 5, h Army disappeared after its fine retreat in March, 1918, Uniacke was
employed on the lines of communication until the end of the war.
