Evelyn Wood VC

the long version

"[Wood's] career began in the Royal Navy during the Crimea before he transferred to the cavalry 'to see more action.' He won his VC in India and became a member of Wolseley's select Ashanti Ring which ensured his advancement.. His greatest victory at Kambula was preceded a day earlier by a crushing defeat at Hlobane which he attempted successfully to cover up. However the ruthless slaughter of the defeated Zulus after Kambula also threatened his career. Depite this, largely thanks to powerful friends including Queen Victoria, Disraeli, and General Gordon, Wood's career flourished although an inconvenient scandal involving his sister (Kitty O'Shea) and leading Irish nationalist Charles Parnell raised serious questions as to his integrity. Nevertheless he went on to be Adjutant-General and a Field Marshal and was one of the major reforming generals who [laid] the foundations for the Army's success in The Great War. ..."--Book jacket.