FIELD MARSHALL JOHN FRENCH, EARL OF YPRES, DEAD AT 73
Deal, England (JFK+50) On May 22, 1925, Field Marshal John French*, the Earl of Ypres & British hero of the World War, died here in Deal at the age of 73.
Associated Press describes the Field Marshal as "the luckiest man in the (British) army," so much so that the phrase "French Luck" was coined.
It was at the Battle of Ypres** which John French led in the successful blockade of English Channel ports from the Germans.
JFK+50 NOTE
Deal is a coastal town in Kent, England located where the North Sea & English Channel meet. It is 8 miles NE of Dover & 9 miles S of Ramsgate.
*John Denton Pinstone French (1852-1925) was born in Kent, England & became commaner-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force for the 1st year & half of World War I. JF served also as commander-in-chief of the Home Front 1916-1921. He was also Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1918-1921.
**Battle of Ypres was a series of five engagements (1914-1918) between German & Allied armies near the Belgian city of Ypres. The battles resulted in heavy casualties on both sides with little territory gained or lost.
