Historical information

Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts was a British Soldier who served in India, Abyssinia and Afghanistan before leading the British Forces to success in the Second Boer War. He became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904. While in South Africa he was at the Siege of Kimberley, the Battle of Paardeberg, the Battle of Poplar Grove, the Battle of Diamond Hill and the Battle of Bergendal.
Roberts received many awards: Victoria Cross (1858-India); Companion of the Order of the Bath (1872-Afghanistan); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1878-Afghanistan);Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1880-Afghanistan) and Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire in the same year.
He was Commander-in Chief, India in 1885 was advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of India (1887) and then Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire later that year.
He became Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India. The same year he relinquished his Indian command and became Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in 1895 made a Knight of the Order of St Patrick. In 1899 he returned to South Africa to take overall command of British Forces in the Second Boer War.
December 1900 Roberts handed over command to Lord Kitchener and returned to England where more honours were awarded. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter; created Earl Roberts of Kandahar, Pretoria and Waterford and Viscount St Pierre.
He became a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John (1901) and then Knight of Justice of the Order of St John. The Kaiser awarded him the German Order of the Black Eagle and was among the original recipients of the Order of Merit in the 1902 Coronation Honours.
Roberts died in 1914. He was given and State Funeral and buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

Physical description

Individual image taken from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.