This month we welcomed Ashley Jones to tell us all about the life and times of Field Marshal Sir William Slim. Slim was born in Bristol in 1891 and from modest beginnings went on to become one of the most successful and well loved leaders in the British Army. He saw active service in the First and Second World Wars and was wounded in action three times.
I found Ash's talk most informative and I don't think I had 'forgotten' Uncle Bill, as his troops affectionately called him, I never really knew anything about him!
The highlights of Slim career seem to have been his command of the 7th Gurkha Rifles in the inter war years and his command of the Burma Campaign from 1942-1945, which saw the decisive battles of Imphal and Kohima on the Indian border. After the War he was for a time appointed to the Army Council and served as Governor-General of Australia from 1953 to his retirement in 1959.
Whilst investigating further after the talk I found the following quote which sums up the man as described by Ash perfectly.
‘One of Slim’s chief characteristics was his quite outstanding determination and inability to admit defeat or the possibility of it: also his exceptional ability to gain and retain the confidence of those under him and with him, without any resort to panache. Success did not inflate him or misfortune depress him.’
A great soldier and a excellent talk. Thank you Ash.
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