Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy

Julian Hedworth George Byng

Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, GCB, GCMG, MVO (11 September 1862–6 June 1935) was a career British Army officer who served with distinction during World War I with the British Expeditionary Force in France, in the Battle of Gallipoli of the Dardanelles campaign, as commander of the Canadian Corps, and as commander of the British Third Army.

Lord Byng later became the twelfth Governor General of Canada. His actions in the King-Byng Affair earned widespread condemnation. The Canadian Government's eventual response to his actions led to a marked restriction and redefinition of the role of Governor General in constitutional matters for Canada and for the other dominions of the British Empire.

Early life

Julian Byng was born at Wrotham Park, Barnet. He studied at Eton College, and then began a military career in which he saw service in India and the Sudan, and in South Africa during the Second Boer War. During this campaign, he asked Marie Evelyn Moreton, the only daughter of Sir Richard Charles Moreton, comptroller at Rideau Hall during the term of office of the Marquess of Lorne, to marry him. He was so anxious to receive an answer that he asked her to send her reply by cable. Byng framed her answer, "Yes, please return immediately", and kept it on his desk for the rest of his life. They were married on 30 April 1902, but had no children.

World War I

When the First World War began, Byng campaigned in France with the British Expeditionary Force as commander of the Cavalry Corps, which included the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. Later he commanded the British 9th Army Corps in the ill-fated Dardanelles Campaign and supervised the British withdrawal from the straits.

In 1916 Byng took command of the Canadian Army Corps on the Western Front. With his subordinate General Arthur Currie, he gained his greatest glory with the Canadian victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, an historic military victory for Canada that inspired nationalism at home. Following this victory, Byng took command of the British Third Army, where he conducted the first surprise attack using tanks at Cambrai, considered a turning point in the war. For these services he was promoted to the rank of general, and after the war was raised to the peerage as 1st Baron Byng of Vimy and Thorpe-le-Soken, in Essex, on 7 October 1919.

Byng as Governor General

Lord Byng was appointed Governor General of Canada on 2 August 1921. He was very popular in Canada, and during his travels across the country throughout his term of office he was enthusiastically greeted by the men he had led in wartime. His appointment was far less controversial than that of his predecessor, the Duke of Devonshire. This was partly due to his popularity, but also because he was appointed following direct consultation with the Canadian government.

Lord Byng took to the office enthusiastically, further entrenching many of the traditions established by his predecessors. He also broke with tradition and was the first Governor General to appoint Canadian aides-de-camp. One of them was Georges Vanier, who later served as Governor General from 1959 to 1967.

He was always passionate about sport, and both he and his wife particularly loved ice hockey; Lord Byng rarely missed a game played by the Ottawa Senators. In 1925, Lady Byng presented the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy to the National Hockey League, which, to this day, recognizes sportsmanship and excellence in play.

Lord and Lady Byng also travelled more than any of their predecessors, making extended trips to western Canada and the North, taking the opportunity to meet with many Canadians. Lord Byng established the Governor General's Cup at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, and Lady Byng created a rock garden at Rideau Hall, which still delights visitors today.

The King-Byng Affair

Main article: King-Byng Affair

The most notable issue during Lord Byng's term of office was the "King-Byng Affair," a political crisis that arose between the Governor General and Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. It was watched closely by both the Canadian and British governments, and led directly to the redefinition of the role of Governor General, the Balfour Declaration 1926, and the Statute of Westminster 1931.

Life After Rideau Hall

Following his term as Governor General, Lord and Lady Byng returned to England, where he was created 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy at the end of 1926. He served as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, finally retiring with his wife to Essex, England. Lord Byng died at Thorpe Hall, Thorpe-le-Soken in 1935 and Lady Byng returned to Canada during World War II to live with friends. She died in 1949.

External links

• Governors General of Canada
• First World War

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