Such were Grant, Wellington,
and Napoleon. Such was Lord Roberts who became Earl and Marshal, and was
one of the best-loved leaders that England has produced. He was
associated with two great campaigns to extend the British Empire--in
India and South Africa--and passed away in the midst of the great World
War, within a few months of Kitchener.
And yet, as a boy, no one would have picked him out as destined to become
a famous soldier. One recent biographer (Wheeler) calls him "a weak boy
with a strong will," and we cannot do better than repeat this as giving
some sort of key to his career. Roberts himself has left an entertaining
story of his life in "Forty-One Years in India," which shows that a
soldier's life is not tinsel and parade, but is made up of infinite
hardship. The weak boy must indeed have to have a strong will in order
to pull through.
Frederick Roberts was born in India at a time when his father, Abraham
Roberts, was lieutenant colonel of infantry at Cawnpore. This fine old
soldier gave a life-time of service to the crown, and was active in the
border raids in India. His son lived to complete the task which he
began, of helping to open India to the civilized world. For his
services, Abraham Roberts became a general and was knighted. The son,
who was destined to win still higher honors, began his career, September
30, 1832.
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