1 January 1916Commander of 6th Royal ScotsWinston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Appointed Commander of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers, battalion of the 9th Division
Historical records for Great Britain in 1916, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Appointed Commander of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers, battalion of the 9th Division
Appointed Commander of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers, battalion of the 9th Division
Informed he will command the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers
Appointed Commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Appointed Commander of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers
Appointed Commander of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers
Reviews the results and outstanding issues arising from Lord Derby’s voluntary recruiting scheme.
Appointed Lieutenant Colonel
Reports that the volunteer system has created forces far larger than Britain possessed before the war.
Takes command the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers
Introduces legislation imposing compulsory service on eligible unmarried men after the Derby Scheme.
Crisis breaks out when the press announces Asquith will not introduce concscription
A political crisis follows reports that Asquith will not introduce conscription.
Hunter-Weston's forces maintain the Helles perimeter while men, guns and stores are progressively embarked.
Hunter-Weston's rear guards leave their positions as the final evacuation of Cape Helles begins.
Monro reports completion of the final Helles evacuation, ending the Allied Dardanelles expedition.
The final day of troop withdrawal from Gallipolli
Monro completes the withdrawal of the remaining Allied forces, ending the Gallipoli campaign.
Addresses publication and parliamentary consideration of Sir Ian Hamilton’s report on the Gallipoli campaign.
Gives Parliament a statement on current military and governmental questions at the start of 1916.
Conscription is introduced
Conscription is introduced during Asquith's wartime premiership.
Takes the battalion of 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers across the Belgian border
Supports compulsory service for eligible unmarried men after voluntary recruiting proves insufficient.
Joins the Royal Flying Corps in January 1916 and is accepted for pilot training
Birth of Gavin Buchanan Ewart
Involved in the successful bomardment of the outer-Dardanelles
Reviews the manpower position of the armed forces as conscription begins to operate.
Addresses parliamentary questions concerning home defence during the continuing war.
Addresses the provision of anti-aircraft guns for defence against enemy raids.
Answers questions about implementation of the new Military Service Act.
Birdwood takes command of I ANZAC Corps after the post-Gallipoli reorganisation.
Godley takes command of II ANZAC Corps during the reorganisation of Australian and New Zealand forces.
Haig expands preparations for the planned Anglo-French offensive while Verdun increases pressure on France.
Urges the First Lord of the Admiralty to recall Lord Fisher as First Sea Lord
Urges greater national economy as wartime expenditure and demands on resources increase.
Birth of Harold Wilson
Forced to hand over his command to John de Robeck, due to ill health
Returns to Ireland with a brigade of German POWs in a German submarine
Leaves Elephant Island in the James Caird with five companions to seek rescue from South Georgia
The government decides upon compulsory conscription, except for Ireland.
The Easter Rebellion breaks out in Dublin.
Birdwood's I ANZAC Corps deploys from Egypt to the Western Front.
The Easter Rebellion breaks out in Dublin
Decides upon compulsory conscription, except for Ireland
Surrnders to the Turks after a siege of 147 days
Crushes the last remnants of the Easter Rebellion in Dublin
Takes the surrender of the last of the rebels, over 1,000 prisoners have been taken. Crushes the last remnants of the Easter Rebellion in Dublin
Announces the Government decision to broaden compulsory military service beyond the January settlement.
Addresses the resignation of Augustine Birrell following the Easter Rising in Ireland.
The 6th Royal Scots merges with the 15th Division. Churchill does not seek another command & returns to Parliament
Introduces a Bill extending military service obligations to a wider group of eligible men.
Explains arrangements for a secret parliamentary session on military manpower and recruiting.
Addresses the Government response to the Easter Rising and the treatment of rebels.
Gives his Officers a farewell lunch at Armentieres
Holds a farewell luncheon for the officers of his batallion
Returns to England, the end of his military career
Addresses parliamentary appeals for clemency toward prisoners detained after the Easter Rising.
Supports an inquiry into the causes of and responsibility for the Easter Rising.
Answers questions about the trials of participants in the Easter Rising.
Navigates the James Caird across the Southern Ocean to South Georgia during the Endurance rescue effort
Explains the constitution and working arrangements of the wartime coalition government.
Gives Parliament a statement on conditions in Ireland after the Easter Rising.
Answers questions concerning the treatment and release of prisoners detained after the rebellion.
Addresses possible political arrangements for Ireland following the Easter Rising.
Implements the extension of compulsory military service to married men through further legislation.
Addresses British participation in Allied discussions about wartime and postwar economic cooperation.
Beatty sails from Rosyth with six battlecruisers and the four fast battleships of the Fifth Battle Squadron.
Beatty leads the Battle Cruiser Fleet from the Forth toward its planned North Sea rendezvous.
Four Queen Elizabeth-class battleships under Evan-Thomas reinforce Beatty's six battlecruisers for the operation.
Beatty receives orders to sail after Admiralty intelligence indicates major German naval movement.
Reviews the continuing operation of martial law in Ireland after the rebellion.
British and German scouting forces make contact, drawing Beatty's and Hipper's battlecruisers toward battle.
Commands the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland
Beatty turns eastward as he approaches Jellicoe, helping clear the deployment area for the battlefleet.
Beatty sends position information as Jellicoe prepares the Grand Fleet for deployment.
Beatty reverses course to lead Hipper and Scheer toward Jellicoe's approaching Grand Fleet.
Beatty alters course to bring his battlecruisers into action against Hipper's First Scouting Group.
Evan-Thomas's fast battleships bring their powerful guns into action against Hipper's ships.
Evan-Thomas's battleships trail Beatty's faster battlecruisers during the opening pursuit.
Signalling difficulties delay Evan-Thomas's turn, exposing the fast battleships to concentrated German fire.
Beatty fulfils the battlecruiser scouting role by bringing Scheer's fleet toward Jellicoe's battleships.
Commands the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland
Beatty's battlecruisers operate ahead of the deploying Grand Fleet as Jellicoe forms his battle line.
Beatty identifies Scheer's approaching battlefleet and realises his force has been drawn toward superior numbers.
Beatty's surviving battlecruisers renew action as Hipper's ships encounter the Grand Fleet.
A seaplane from HMS Engadine scouts ahead of Beatty's force and reports German ships during the approach to battle.
A sighting report from Galatea helps draw Beatty toward Hipper's battlecruisers.
Indefatigable explodes under German battlecruiser fire during the Run to the South.
Emergency flooding prevents flash from reaching Lion's magazines after the Q-turret hit.
A German shell penetrates Lion's Q turret and creates a serious risk of a magazine explosion.
Princess Royal suffers German hits while remaining in action with Beatty's battlecruiser force.
Queen Mary is destroyed by catastrophic magazine explosions during the battlecruiser action.
Tiger remains with Beatty's force through the main phases of the Jutland battle.
Beatty spreads light cruisers ahead of his capital ships to search for Hipper's scouting force.
Fading light reduces Beatty's opportunity to maintain effective heavy-gun contact with the German fleet.
Beatty leads the German forces north toward the main body of the Grand Fleet.
Beatty pursues Hipper southward as both battlecruiser forces exchange heavy gunfire.
Stands alone in criticizing the Government during the War Office vote
Supports extending compulsory military service to married men as manpower demands continue.
Haig oversees the concentration of guns, ammunition and divisions for the coming offensive.
Commands the 2nd Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland
Commands the Colossus during the Battle of Jutland
Scheer is outgunned by Jellicoes fleet & turns away under cover of smokescreens. Learns of the movement of the German Fleet along the Jutland Peninsula & mobilizes. Britain claims victory because the German Fleet stays in its harbour during the war
Sails from Scapa Flow with 28 Dreadnoughts & 3 Battle cruisers
The Commander of the 4th Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland
Beatty's surviving ships return after the largest fleet action of the war.
Beatty's force continues searching as the German fleet escapes toward its bases during the night.
Death of Horatio Herbert Kitchener
Leaves Scapa Flow aboard HMS Hampshire for the wartime mission to Russia.
Killed on his visit to Nicholas II when the Hampshire hits a mine
HMS Hampshire struck a mine west of Orkney and sank rapidly while carrying Kitchener to Russia; only twelve men survived.
Learns Asquith witheld documents in the Dardanelles enquiry which would clear him
Refuses release of documents connected with the Dardanelles inquiry.
Addresses restoration of normal civil law in Ireland after the period of rebellion and martial law.
Leads the fourth army in the main part of the offensive North of the River Somme
24 June-13 November, tanks are used for the 1st time at the 1st Battle of the Somme
Haig's armies begin the prolonged bombardment intended to destroy German wire and forward defences.
Leads the 3rd Army south of the River Somme
Royal Flying Corps aircraft support preparatory operations by attacking German observation balloons.
Reports on Allied economic coordination discussed at the Paris Economic Conference.
Addresses negotiations intended to find a political settlement in Ireland during wartime.
The Royal Navy examines dangerous ammunition-handling practices exposed by battlecruiser magazine losses.
Beatty's command reviews rangefinding, fire control and gunnery performance after the battle.
Beatty reviews the destruction of Indefatigable and Queen Mary and the heavy damage suffered by other ships.
The fleet studies signalling failures that complicated control of Beatty's forces during Jutland.
Accepts a mission to Russia intended to discuss military cooperation and assess the Eastern Front.
Haig directs the opening Somme phase as British armies attack across the Albert sector.
Commands British Third Army during the diversionary attack at Gommecourt.
Commands the British Expeditionary Force as the Somme attack opens after a week of bombardment.
The British attack opens on the Somme, causing 57,470 British casualties on the first day.
Leads the 36th Ulster Division in its costly attack toward the Schwaben Redoubt.
Commands British Fourth Army in the main British attack north of the River Somme.
Commands British Fourth Army in the main attack north of the River Somme.
Commands Third Army during the diversionary attack at Gommecourt.
Haig reviews catastrophic first-day casualties but decides the offensive must continue.
Haig orders continued pressure to support France and wear down the German army.
Addresses parliamentary questions arising from the loss of HMS Hampshire and Lord Kitchener.
Posted to No. 7 Squadron and flies bombing, reconnaissance and photographic missions over the Somme front.
Appointed Minister of Munitions
Appointed Secretary for War
Birth of Edward Richard George Heath, son of a carpenter & maid. Birth of Edward Richard George Heath
Born in Broadstairs, Kent, into a modest family before his later Conservative political career.
Gives Parliament a detailed statement on the Government’s Irish policy after failed settlement talks.
Addresses parliamentary criticism of the conduct and administration of the Mesopotamia campaign.
Supports formal investigation into failures connected with the Mesopotamia campaign.
Haig supports the night assembly and dawn attack that gains ground on Bazentin Ridge.
Haig maintains pressure around Delville Wood during the second phase of the Somme battle.
Haig seeks rapid exploitation toward High Wood after the Bazentin Ridge success.
Addresses the wartime leadership of the War Office after Lloyd George becomes Secretary of State for War.
The Cromer Commission is announced to investigate the Dardanelles Campaign
The formation of a Commission is announced to investigate the Dardanelles Campaign
The Cromer Commission is announced to investigate the Dardanelles Campaign
Announces the Cromer Commission to investigate the Dardanelles campaign.
Restates the Government position after efforts to reach an Irish political settlement break down.
Haking orders the joint British-Australian attack intended to pin German reserves at Fromelles.
Commands Reserve Army forces as fighting expands around Pozieres and the Albert-Bapaume road.
Haig supports Australian and British attacks intended to seize the important Pozieres ridge.
Walker directs the 1st Australian Division's assault that captures most of Pozieres.
Advances legislation creating special commissions to investigate the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia campaigns.
Godley organises II ANZAC Corps for operations on the Western Front.
Performs brigade staff duties during the Somme campaign and observes the heavy cost of offensive operations.
Criticises the conduct of the Somme offensive while out of ministerial office.
Explains the Government approach to Allied economic cooperation during and after the war.
Death of Roger Casement, executed for treason
Hanged for high treason in Pentonville prison
Hanged for high treason in Pentonville prison. Death of Roger Casement, executed for treason
Writes to Earl Cromer asking to present his own case without Counsel
Supports detailed provisions governing the special wartime commissions of inquiry.
Addresses questions about possible peace negotiations and the conditions required for a settlement.
Rescues the remaining Endurance crew from Elephant Island without loss of life
Haig's armies increasingly use creeping barrages to improve infantry support during Somme attacks.
Birdwood coordinates successive Australian divisions fighting around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.
Haig continues attacks around Guillemont to improve the British position before renewed larger operations.
Haig orders pressure maintained after British troops capture Ginchy during the Somme offensive.
Raymond Asquith, son of Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, is killed during the attack near Ginchy.
British tanks are used in battle for the first time during the Somme offensive.
Orders the Somme offensive to continue as tanks are used in battle for the first time.
Commands British Fourth Army during the attack against Flers, Martinpuich and Courcelette.
Birth of Margaret Lockwood
Haig approves the first battlefield use of tanks during the attack at Flers-Courcelette.
Haig reinforces Byngs command with the entire Tank Corps
Cromer informs Churchill the Commission will meet secretly & Churchill cannot examine
British Fourth Army attacks Morval, Gueudecourt and Lesboeufs while French forces move toward Combles and Rancourt.
Supported by Fochs 6th Army but 20,000 British perish on the first day of the battle
Haig's forces attack Thiepval Ridge and secure important positions overlooking the Ancre valley.
Says there was full authority & at the time there was a reasonable prospect of success. Appears at the enquiry to defend the Dardanelles Campaign
Appointed Commander in Mesopotamia
Appointed Commander in Mesopotamia
Haig continues pressure on the heights north of the Somme as autumn weather worsens.
Haig sustains attacks toward Le Transloy despite mud, rain and increasingly difficult supply conditions.
Gives Parliament a statement on the war and the Government’s conduct of national affairs.
The First Battle of Passchendaele, on 12 October 1917 began with a further Allied attempt by 5 British and 3 ANZAC divisions (the New Zealand Division and the Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions) to gain ground around Poelcappelle
The First Battle of Passchendaele, on 12 October 1917 began with a further Allied attempt by 5 British and 3 ANZAC divisions (the New Zealand Division and the Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions) to gain ground around Poelcappelle. The Allied troops were fought-out, and morale was suffering, against the well-prepared German defences, the gains were minimal and there were 13,000 Allied casualties
Meets Emir Faisal and identifies him as an effective Arab Revolt commander.
The four divisions of the Canadian Corps were transferred to the Ypres Salient and to make additional advances on Passchendaele
Is sent to the Hejaz to assess the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule.
Haig reviews deteriorating battlefield conditions as rain and mud sharply reduce operational mobility.
Addresses the growing manpower problem and the balance between military service and essential industry.
An Edward Carson motion concerning Nigerian property creates a government crisis.
A motion by Edward Carson on ownership of property in Nigeria creates a crisis
A motion forwarded by Carson on ownership of property in Nigeria creates a crisis
Commands Fifth Army during the Battle of the Ancre, the final major phase of the Somme offensive.
Haig approves the final major British attack of the Somme campaign along the Ancre.
As the Battle of the Somme comes to a bitterly cold end, a meeting is held between the Allied generals at Chantilly just outside Paris, a decision is reached by Generals Haig and Joffre that on the Western Front things would recommence in February
As the Battle of the Somme comes to a bitterly cold end, a meeting is held between the Allied generals at Chantilly just outside Paris, a decision is reached by Generals Haig and Joffre that on the Western Front things would recommence in February
Haig ends major Somme operations after months of attritional fighting and limited territorial gains.
In Britain news of the initial spectacular breakthrough served to greatly enhance Byngs reputation; and it resulted in the ringing of church bells in Britain for the first time during the war. During the battle casualties were high, the Germans suffered losses of approximately 50,000 and the British 45,000
Leads 380 tanks in the 1st large scale mobilization of the tank
The findings are published but Churchills evidence is not. Churchill has his account of the Antwerp expedition published in the Sunday Pictoral
Beatty succeeds Jellicoe as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet after Jellicoe becomes First Sea Lord.
Beatty receives acting admiral rank as he assumes command of the Grand Fleet.
At a conference in Chantilly in November 1916, and a series of subsequent meetings, the Entente agreed on an offensive strategy where they would overwhelm the Central Powers by means of attacks on the Western, Eastern and Italian Fronts
Haig was ordered to co-operate with Nivelles planned attack, but secured Nivelles agreement that in the event the French offensive failed, the British would attack in the area of Flanders. At a conference in Chantilly in November 1916, and a series of subsequent meetings, the Entente agreed on an offensive strategy where they would overwhelm the Central Powers by means of attacks on the Western, Eastern and Italian Fronts
At a conference in Chantilly in November 1916, and a series of subsequent meetings, the Entente agreed on an offensive strategy where they would overwhelm the Central Powers by means of attacks on the Western, Eastern and Italian Fronts
Lloyd George sought to find ways of avoiding a repeat of the British casualties involved in the Battle of the Somme, and proposed an alternative strategy at a conference in Rome, which would involve the offensive being focused on the Italian front.
The new French Commander in Chief, Robert Nivelle, believed that a concentrated attack by French forces on the Western Front in Spring 1917 could break the German front and lead to a quick victory.
Haig reviews artillery, infantry, tank and communications lessons from the completed Somme campaign.
The new French Commander in Chief, Robert Nivelle, believed that a concentrated attack by French forces on the Western Front in Spring 1917 could break the German front and lead to a quick victory
Resigns as Prime Minister after the coalition crisis over the proposed reorganisation of central war direction.
Resigns as Prime Minister in December 1916.
Resigns from Asquiths Coalition Government
Resigns from Asquiths Coalition Government
Resigns from Asquiths Coalition Government
Resigns as Prime Minister of Great Britain
Requested by the King to form a new Government. Asquith refuses to serve under Law him so he is unable to form a new Government
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term
Nivelle proposes that the system of attack he had used at Verdun could be scaled upwards and used on a weaker part of the German line, the enemy lines could be ruptured within 48 hours
Accepts the premiership after Asquith resigns and begins forming a new coalition government.
When Asquith resigned, he returns to office as First Lord of the Admiralty
Creates a small War Cabinet intended to accelerate strategic and administrative decisions.
Appointed Foreign Minister, 2nd term
Awarded the Order of the Garter on his 21st birthday
Confirms Curzon, Bonar Law, Milner and Henderson as colleagues in the new War Cabinet.
Promises more concentrated control of manpower, shipping, food and strategy under the new administration.
Addresses the Commons on the new government's policy and the scale of the national war effort.
In December 1916, at the conclusion of the Battle of the Somme, Haig identified Flanders as the most promising theatre for a British offensive of 1917 and by January 1917 the idea of a Flanders offensive had met with the approval of the British Cabinet
Haig reorganises formations and command arrangements after the heavy losses of the Somme.
Haig directs further artillery and ammunition preparation for the next year's major operations.
Creates a permanent secretariat to record War Cabinet conclusions and circulate papers systematically.
Helps coordinate British and Arab support as Ottoman forces threaten Yanbu.
Haig renews plans for a future offensive in Flanders against German positions near Ypres.
Haig renews planning for a major offensive in Flanders after the Somme campaign ends.
Establishes central food control to manage imports, prices and supplies during wartime shortages.
Builds a small advisory staff around Downing Street to collect statistics and bypass departmental delay.
Beatty begins revising fleet doctrine to apply tactical lessons drawn from Jutland.
Uses Maurice Hankey's organisation to provide the War Cabinet with continuous records and coordinated information.
Creates a dedicated shipping ministry to control scarce merchant tonnage during the submarine crisis.
Creates machinery for directing civilian labour toward military and essential industrial needs.
Introduces frequent War Cabinet meetings as the central mechanism for directing the war.
Haig orders winter strengthening of trenches, communications and reserve systems across the British front.
Appointed Member of 44 Squadron in France, saw the futility of trench warfare which shaped his views on bombing
Sees service at the Battle of Jutland
Chamberlain establishes a municipal savings bank to mobilise household savings during wartime.
Appointed President of the Board of Trade
Appointed Brigade-Major in the Western Front in France
Appointed Brigade-Major in the Western Front in France
Publication of "Canada in Flanders"
Appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Appointed Commander in Chief, Grand Fleet
Appointed Commander in Chief, Grand Fleet
Appointed Commander of the 15th Corps in France
Appointed Commander of the 15th Corps in France
Appointed Commander of the battle Cruisr Force
Appointed Commander of the battle Cruisr Force
Appointed Commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force
Appointed Commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force
Appointed Commander of the First Army
Appointed Commander of the First Army
Appointed Commander of the Tigris Corps
Appointed Commander of the Tigris Corps
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty
Appointed First Sea Lord
Appointed First Sea Lord
Troops are evacuated from the Gallipoli Campaign
British troops are evacuated from the Gallipoli campaign.
The Government calls a truce & leaves the Republicans in control of much of the South
The Government calls a truce & leaves the Republicans in control of much of the South
The Conscription Bill is passed
The Conscription Bill is passed
Publication of "Letters From America"
Becomes an important British liaison with Faisal's Arab forces.
Builds experience of union conflict and pit politics.
Appointed Minister of Munitions
Publication of "Mr Britling Sees It Through"
Leaves Birmingham municipal work for national wartime service.
Commands the entire front in Mesopotamia
Appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Bonar Law
The Government calls a truce & leaves the Republicans in control of much of the South
Rejects Betmanns Peace Note & demands the defeat of Germany by a "knock out blow"
Created Baron Sturdee
Appointed President of the Board of Trade
Buys control of the Daily Express
Forms a brigade of Irish POWs for an Irish Republican rebellion
Leads Third Army operations north of the main Somme battlefield.
Directs Third Army during prolonged attritional warfare on the Western Front.
Excluded from Lloyd George's new 5 man War Cabinet
Appointed Member of 5 man War Cabinet
Appointed Member of 5 man War Cabinet, representitive of Labour
Appointed Member of 5 man War Cabinet
Forms a 5 man War Cabinet, himself, Bonar Law, Curzon & Milner
Appointed Member of 5 man War Cabinet
Serves on the Western Front during the Somme campaign
Appointed Brigade-Major in the Western Front in France
Appointed Brigade-Major in the Western Front in France
Haig considers future offensives around Ypres.
Plumer commands the British Second Army around Ypres.
Harington helps plan operations in the Ypres sector.
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