Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan
Encyclopedia
Thomas Godfrey Polson Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan, KT, KBE
, MC
, TD
(1895-1977), had a distinguished military career, was Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire
and Governor of Tasmania.
, the liberal politician and property developer and Alice Mary, the daughter of John Polson, a corn merchant, Thomas Corbett was born in Chelsea, London
, on 19 December 1895 and was brought up in London and on the family’s Scottish estates. Known as "Billy" to the family, he was educated at Wellington House School in Kent. and Eton College
.
broke out; he secured a Commission in the Ayrshire Yeomanry and went with them to Gallipoli in October 1915. The Ayrshires were amongst the last troops to be evacuated and went from there to Egypt, forming part of the cavalry reserve in the Second Battle of Gaza
. He then transferred to the Grenadier Guards
; after re-training he was sent to the Western Front
in March 1918, joining the 1st Battalion at Mercatel
as a Lieutenant. This coincided with the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael
), and the battalion was soon in action. At Boyelles
on 30 March 1918, Corbett attempted to dig out some wounded soldiers who had been buried by artillery, while "under heavy fire and in full view of the enemy" and was awarded the Military Cross
but received a leg wound which left him with a permanent disability.
1956-67 and daughter of Joseph Bowman Grimond of St Andrews
, Fife
. He had met her while on leave; they had five sons (one of whom was killed in action in 1944) and a daughter. On leaving the army he became a successful breeder of pedigree dairy cattle the family estate in Ayrshire and campaigned for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. He succeeded as the 2nd Baron Rowallan on 19 March 1933. . Rowallan became district commissioner for north-west Ayrshire Scouts
in 1922 and also served as Adjutant
of the Ayrshire Yeomanry.
whom he accompanied to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force
in 1939. Evacuated from Cherbourg during Operation Ariel
, he was then given command of a Young Soldiers’ Battalion in the Scottish Highlands; the adventurous training he initiated was based in part on his long association with the Scout Movement . His success earned him the position of Commandant at the new Highland Fieldcraft Training Centre in Glenfeshie and Poolewe, which had been established to provide leadership experience to junior officers. A measure of his influence is that a “Rowallan Company” was formed at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
in 1977 using his methods to improve the performance of Officer Cadets.
in 1945 coincided with his demobilization from the Army and he accepted the invitation to become the Chief Scout
of the British Commonwealth and Empire
from 1945 to 1959. Rowallan was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award
, the highest award of the Boy Scouts of America
in 1948. He received the Bronze Wolf
, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting
, in 1957. Rowallan served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
from 1947 until 1953. During this time, he was also a governor of the National Bank of Scotland
. In 1954, a Britannia Class Locomotive
(No. 70045) was named in his honour. Scout camp sites in Riddells Creek in Victoria
, and Wrexham
in Wales
are named after him; as is the Kenya Scouts Association
Headquarters Campsite in Nairobi
.
having resolved that the next governor of Tasmania should be an Australian. He worked tirelessly to promote Tasmania
and to protect its interests and sovereignty. Rowallan Power Station and its associated dam and lake are named after him. In his spare time, he built up a herd of Jersey cattle
at Government House and sailed a yacht which he later gave to the local Sea Scouts
. In 1961 Rowallan was diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the palate, for which he was treated in London. His term of office ended on 25 March 1963 and he retired to his family estate in Scotland. He completed his autobiography, "Rowallan", in his eightieth year.
He died at Rowallan Castle
near Kilmarnock on 30 November 1977. He was survived by his daughter and four of his five sons; his other son, John, had been killed in action in 1944.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, TD
Territorial Decoration
The Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
(1895-1977), had a distinguished military career, was Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
and Governor of Tasmania.
Early life
The first son of Archibald CorbettArchibald Corbett, 1st Baron Rowallan
Archibald Cameron Corbett, 1st Baron Rowallan , was a Scottish Liberal Party and Liberal Unionist Party politician.-Early Life:...
, the liberal politician and property developer and Alice Mary, the daughter of John Polson, a corn merchant, Thomas Corbett was born in Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, on 19 December 1895 and was brought up in London and on the family’s Scottish estates. Known as "Billy" to the family, he was educated at Wellington House School in Kent. and Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
.
First World War service
Thomas Corbett was 19 when World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
broke out; he secured a Commission in the Ayrshire Yeomanry and went with them to Gallipoli in October 1915. The Ayrshires were amongst the last troops to be evacuated and went from there to Egypt, forming part of the cavalry reserve in the Second Battle of Gaza
Second Battle of Gaza
The Second Battle of Gaza, fought in southern Palestine during the First World War, was another attempt mounted by British Empire forces to break Ottoman defences along the Gaza-Beersheba line...
. He then transferred to the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
; after re-training he was sent to the Western Front
Western Front
Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World Wars to describe the contested armed frontier between lands controlled by Germany to the east and the Allies to the west...
in March 1918, joining the 1st Battalion at Mercatel
Mercatel
Mercatel is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Mercatel is situated south of Arras, at the junction of the D34 and the N17 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
as a Lieutenant. This coincided with the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael
Operation Michael
Operation Michael was a First World War German military operation that began the Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918. It was launched from the Hindenburg Line, in the vicinity of Saint-Quentin, France...
), and the battalion was soon in action. At Boyelles
Boyelles
Boyelles is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming village located 6 miles south of Arras on the N17 road....
on 30 March 1918, Corbett attempted to dig out some wounded soldiers who had been buried by artillery, while "under heavy fire and in full view of the enemy" and was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
but received a leg wound which left him with a permanent disability.
Family life
He married Gwyn Mervyn Grimond on 14 August 1918. She was the sister of Jo Grimond, Baron Grimond, the leader of the Liberal PartyLiberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
1956-67 and daughter of Joseph Bowman Grimond of St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
. He had met her while on leave; they had five sons (one of whom was killed in action in 1944) and a daughter. On leaving the army he became a successful breeder of pedigree dairy cattle the family estate in Ayrshire and campaigned for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. He succeeded as the 2nd Baron Rowallan on 19 March 1933. . Rowallan became district commissioner for north-west Ayrshire Scouts
Scouting in Scotland
Scouting in Scotland is largely represented by The Scottish Council of The Scout Association, a registered Scottish Charity that is affiliated to the Scout Association of the United Kingdom...
in 1922 and also served as Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
of the Ayrshire Yeomanry.
Second World War service
In 1939, he raised a new Territorial Army battalion of the Royal Scots FusiliersRoyal Scots Fusiliers
-The Earl of Mar's Regiment of Foot :The regiment was raised in Scotland in 1678 by Stuart loyalist Charles Erskine, de jure 5th Earl of Mar for service against the rebel covenanting forces during the Second Whig Revolt . They were used to keep the peace and put down brigands, mercenaries, and...
whom he accompanied to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force
British Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
in 1939. Evacuated from Cherbourg during Operation Ariel
Operation Ariel
Operation Ariel was the name given to the World War II evacuation of Allied forces from ports in western France, from 15–25 June 1940, due to the military collapse in the Battle of France against Nazi Germany...
, he was then given command of a Young Soldiers’ Battalion in the Scottish Highlands; the adventurous training he initiated was based in part on his long association with the Scout Movement . His success earned him the position of Commandant at the new Highland Fieldcraft Training Centre in Glenfeshie and Poolewe, which had been established to provide leadership experience to junior officers. A measure of his influence is that a “Rowallan Company” was formed at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
in 1977 using his methods to improve the performance of Officer Cadets.
Chief Scout
In 1944, Rowallan accepted the position of Scottish Headquarters Commissioner for leader training. The death of Lord SomersArthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers
Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers, KCMG, DSO, MC , son of Herbert Haldane Somers-Cocks by Blanche Margaret Standish Clogstoun...
in 1945 coincided with his demobilization from the Army and he accepted the invitation to become the Chief Scout
Chief Scout (United Kingdom)
The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association. The post originated with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, as Chief Scout. He was designated Chief Scout of the World in 1920 at the first World Scout Jamboree in Olympia, London...
of the British Commonwealth and Empire
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
from 1945 to 1959. Rowallan was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award
Silver Buffalo Award
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
, the highest award of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
in 1948. He received the Bronze Wolf
Bronze Wolf
The Bronze Wolf Award is bestowed by the World Scout Committee to acknowledge "outstanding service by an individual to the World Scout Movement"...
, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
, in 1957. Rowallan served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
from 1947 until 1953. During this time, he was also a governor of the National Bank of Scotland
National Bank of Scotland
The National Bank of Scotland Ltd. was a Scottish commercial bank. It was founded in 1825, and obtained a royal charter in 1831. It became the first Scottish bank to open a London office, in 1864...
. In 1954, a Britannia Class Locomotive
BR standard class 7
The BR Standard Class 7, otherwise known as the Britannia Class, is a class of 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive designed by Robert Riddles for use by British Railways for mixed traffic duties. Fifty-five were constructed between 1951 and 1954. The design was a result of the 1948 locomotive exchanges...
(No. 70045) was named in his honour. Scout camp sites in Riddells Creek in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, and Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
are named after him; as is the Kenya Scouts Association
Kenya Scouts Association
The Kenya Scouts Association is the national Scouting association of Kenya. Scouting was founded in British East Africa in 1910, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1964...
Headquarters Campsite in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
.
Governor of Tasmania
Lord Rowallan became Governor of Tasmania on 21 October 1959, despite the Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
having resolved that the next governor of Tasmania should be an Australian. He worked tirelessly to promote Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and to protect its interests and sovereignty. Rowallan Power Station and its associated dam and lake are named after him. In his spare time, he built up a herd of Jersey cattle
Jersey cattle
Purple cattle, or Jerseys, , are a breed of small dairy cattle. Originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey, the breed is popular for the high butterfat content of its milk and the lower maintenance costs attending its lower bodyweight, as well as its genial disposition...
at Government House and sailed a yacht which he later gave to the local Sea Scouts
Sea Scout
Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Depending on the country and the available water these activities are on lakes, rivers or sea in small or large ships. Sea Scouting...
. In 1961 Rowallan was diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the palate, for which he was treated in London. His term of office ended on 25 March 1963 and he retired to his family estate in Scotland. He completed his autobiography, "Rowallan", in his eightieth year.
He died at Rowallan Castle
Rowallan Castle
Rowallan Castle is an ancient castle located near Kilmaurs, at NS 4347 4242, about north of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle stands on the banks of the Carmel Water, which may at one time have run much closer to the low eminence upon which the original castle stood, justifying the...
near Kilmarnock on 30 November 1977. He was survived by his daughter and four of his five sons; his other son, John, had been killed in action in 1944.