General Sir Andrew Skeen, KCB, KCIE, CMG, 1923 (c)

Photograph, India, North West Frontier, 1923 (c).

Andrew Skeen (1873-1935) was commissioned in 1891 and served on the North West Frontier with the Malakand Field Force (1897), in China (1900) and in Somliland (1901-1904). During World War One he served as a staff officer to General Sir William Birdwood, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, at Gallipoli (1915) and as Deputy Chief of Staff, Indian Army, in 1917.

Promoted to major general in 1918, during the 3rd Afghan War (1919) Skeen commanded the 3rd Indian Infantry Brigade and then the Kohat Kurram Force. During the subsequent revolt in Waziristan (1919-1920) he successfully led the Tochi and Derajat Columns. Skeen served as commander of the Kohat District in 1921-1922 and of the Peshawar District in 1922-1923. Promoted to lieutenant-general, he was then appointed commander of Southern Command during 1923-1924 before serving as Chief of the General Staff, Indian Army, 1924-1928.

One of the Indian Army's most experienced frontier officers, Skeen finally retired in 1929. His book, 'Passing it on: short talks on tribal fighting on the North-West Frontier of India' (1932), was issued to all officers' and sergeants' messes in India and remains a classic on the subject to this day.