From Working Class Lad to Brigadier General

Brigadier General Albert William Andrew was the first person with a working-class background to gain a commission as an officer in Britain’s Imperial Forces.

Albert William Andrew (1866–1941) photographed in about 1897 when he was promoted to Captain. Canterbury Museum 1976.303.30

From Working Class Lad to Brigadier General

Brigadier General Albert William Andrew was the first person with a working-class background to gain a commission as an officer in Britain’s Imperial Forces.

Born to Cornish parents after their arrival in Canterbury, Albert and his four surviving siblings grew up in Sydenham. In his youth Albert joined the Sydenham Rifles Volunteer Corps, seeking a career in the army.

Albert’s chance came in 1885 when the British Government announced that they were making positions available for men in Australia and New Zealand. Entry was by examination. To prepare for the exam, Albert secluded himself and undertook intensive study on tactics, engineering, military law and topography. Albert was the sole New Zealand candidate to take the test and the only person in Australasia to pass it. As the Lyttelton Times noted “It is something for us all to be proud of, that an unknown youth from the remotest quarter of Her Majesty’s empire has been deemed worthy to enter the ranks of a profession which has hitherto been a sort of closed corporation, into which Home aspirants only have been admitted."

Brigadier General A. W. Andrew after he retired from military service in 1920. Canterbury Museum 19XX.2.5338

The British Government had also offered a commission to a graduate of the New Zealand University (who would not have to sit the exam) and this was awarded to Lieutenant Gilbert Montgomerie Hutton, son of former Canterbury Museum curator Frederick Wollaston Hutton, who had completed a BA in 1885.

Life in India

Albert was advised that he had been appointed to the 1^st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters, a Derbyshire Regiment stationed in Ireland, and ordered to proceed to London at once. This was difficult for Albert who, unlike other officers who had bought their commissions, did not have any inherited income. He requested an exchange to India where his pay would be sufficient to meet his expenses. Albert was also concerned about his ability to fit with the social habits and customs of England’s upper classes as he noted he had a “want of knowledge of the social habits and customs incidental to a regimental life”.

Once in India, Albert served with the 2^nd Battalion of Devonshire Regiment for 2 years and then transferred to the Indian Army where he was in the 1^st Lancers of the Hyderabad Contingent.

In 1892, Lieutenant Andrew took some leave in Christchurch and during this time married Eliza Amelia Laurence in Sydenham. After the wedding the pair left for India where Albert rejoined his regiment. Sadly, both Eliza and her daughter died in childbirth in Bombay 2 years later.

White pith helmet, complete with swan feathers, worn by Captain A. W. Andrew of the 1st Hyderabad Corps of Lancers. Canterbury Museum EC177.271

Albert was promoted to Captain in India on 8 Sept 1897. He then took leave from the Indian Army to command the Canterbury section of the 6th Contingent who left for South Africa in February 1901 to assist in the Anglo Boer War. The 6th were highly praised, with Lord Kitchener saying that “after a year of strenuous service [they] had established a record far above that of any other Colonial Regiment.”

Andrews married Alice Eckford in 1902. After the birth of their first child, the couple lived in India until Alice returned to New Zealand for the birth of their second.

A polyglot of the empire

Andrews learnt new languages in India, becoming fluent in Hindustani, Mahratti, Persian, Arabic, Chinese and Turkish. During World War One he commanded an Indian Army infantry brigade in Mesopotamia, with the rank of Brigadier General and was mentioned in despatches six times.

He received many medals including the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George and the Russian Order of St Stanislaus, 3rd Class. This was one of the last decorations given by the Tsar of Russia.

Andrew retired from the Indian Army in 1920 and returned to Christchurch. He died in Christchurch in 1941 and was survived by his wife and two daughters.

His family donated uniforms and other items to Canterbury Museum including this helmet, which he wore when he was a Captain of the of the 1st Hyderabad Corps of Lancers in India.

By Senior Curator Human History Julia Bradshaw
17 November 2023

Lithograph based on original watercolour by John Edward Davis. R Carrick [lithographer]. Canterbury Museum LIBA849.1

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Lithograph based on original watercolour by John Edward Davis. R Carrick [lithographer]. Canterbury Museum LIBA849.1

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