Roberts, Frederick Sleigh, 1st Earl Roberts (1832–1914)

British field marshal. During the Afghan War of 1878–80 he occupied Kabul, and during the Second South African War 1899–1902 he made possible the annexation of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. KCB in 1878, Baron in 1892, Earl in 1900.

Born in India, Roberts joined the Bengal Artillery 1851, and served through the Indian Mutiny, receiving the VC, and the Abyssinian campaign of 1867–68. After serving in Afghanistan and making a victorious march to Kandahar, he became commander in chief in India 1885–93 and in Ireland 1895–99. He then received the command in South Africa, where he occupied Bloemfontein and Pretoria.