II LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM PULTENEY, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.
Reading edition
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM PULTENEY, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., was born on May 18th, 1861. He joined the Scots Guards from the Militia in 1881. In 1882 he served in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and was present at the action of Mahuta and the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, winning a medal with clasp and bronze star. He was promoted Captain, Scots Guards, in 1892. Employed under the Foreign Office in the Uganda Protectorate between 1895 and 1897, he saw service in the Unyoro Expedition of 1895, winning a medal, and in the Nandi Expedition of 1895-6. In the latter he was mentioned in despatches and gained the D.S.O.
In 1897 he became Major, and in the same year was made Vice-Consul to the Congo Free State, an office he held until 1899. He again saw active service in the South African War, 1899-1902. He was in the advance on Kimberley, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony. In these operations he commanded the 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards in 1900, and later took command of a Column. He was mentioned in despatches, gained the brevet of Colonel, together with the Queen's Medal and six clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps. He became Colonel of the Scots Guards in 1904 and was given the C.B. in 1905. Between 1908 and 1909 he commanded the 16th Brigade in the Irish Command, and in the latter year was promoted Major-General. In July, 1910, he became General Officer in command of the 6th Division, Irish Command, holding this position until 1914.
LIEUT.-GEN. SIR WILLIAM PULTENEY
He was appointed to command the III Corps on its formation, August 4th, 1914. At the Marne this "Corps" consisted of the 4th Division and the 19th Brigade, and thus constituted it fought under General Pulteney throughout the battle of the Marne and the Aisne. In May, 1915, General Pulteney was promoted Lieutenant-General. He has received distinguished mention in despatches ("He showed himself to be a most capable commander in the field and has rendered valuable service") and has been decorated with the Legion of Honour (Second Class), and the Order of the Crown (Second Class); in addition to these war honours the K.C.M.G. and the K.C.B. have been bestowed upon him.