British Royalty, Military Figure. George William Frederick Charles, 2nd duke of Cambridge served as the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army and was known for stubbornly refusing all attempts to reform the army. One reform, which was successfully instituted, was the purchase of commissions was abolished. Under pressure from several in high positions, he resigned in 1895. Beginning his military career, he served in Hanoverian army before becoming a colonel in the British army in 1837. As the only son, he inherited his father's dukedom in 1850. At the beginning of the Crimean War in 1854, he acquired command of the 1st Division and by the end of the war had taken part in all the major battles, yet according to sources, his service was not particularly distinguished. After the war, he was promoted in rank to general in 1856, field marshal in 1862, and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1887. Grandson of George III and cousin of Queen Victoria, he married an actress, Sarah Fairbrother, the daughter of servants, on January 8, 1847 in defiance of the royal 1772 Royal Marriage Act, thus his wife and his three sons did not have royal titles. His title, "Duke of Cambridge," fell into extinction upon his death, yet revived and given by Elizabeth II to her grandson, Prince William, on his wedding day, April 29, 2011.
British Royalty, Military Figure. George William Frederick Charles, 2nd duke of Cambridge served as the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army and was known for stubbornly refusing all attempts to reform the army. One reform, which was successfully instituted, was the purchase of commissions was abolished. Under pressure from several in high positions, he resigned in 1895. Beginning his military career, he served in Hanoverian army before becoming a colonel in the British army in 1837. As the only son, he inherited his father's dukedom in 1850. At the beginning of the Crimean War in 1854, he acquired command of the 1st Division and by the end of the war had taken part in all the major battles, yet according to sources, his service was not particularly distinguished. After the war, he was promoted in rank to general in 1856, field marshal in 1862, and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1887. Grandson of George III and cousin of Queen Victoria, he married an actress, Sarah Fairbrother, the daughter of servants, on January 8, 1847 in defiance of the royal 1772 Royal Marriage Act, thus his wife and his three sons did not have royal titles. His title, "Duke of Cambridge," fell into extinction upon his death, yet revived and given by Elizabeth II to her grandson, Prince William, on his wedding day, April 29, 2011.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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