K.OM.G., CB, D.S.0., commanding H. M. Forces in China. arrived on Saturday last on a visit by invitation of the Shanghai Municipal Council to inspect the S.V.C. It is interesting to recall the fact that, but for a piece of treachery, he would have been one of the two (or in that case three). officers besieged with a handful of men in Chitral in 1895, in the relief of whom a comparatively elaborate expedition was despatched from India in two columns. The com mander in Chitral was Sir C. Townshend, later of Kut fame. As a matter of fact Sir John Fowler, who is an Engineer, was engaged in that district, and while on his way to Chitral was treacher ously captured, and it was very lucky that be was not murdered when a prisoner. However, he was released a month later, and sent to the headquarters of the relief force.
General Fowler was perhaps unique amongst British officers in the Great War in that, from the outset of the campaign to the con clusion of hostilities, he remained in the same appointment. He was appointed Director of Army Signals on mobilization in August, 1914, went to France with the "Contemptibles," ana remained Director of that service, which attained enormous proportions as the size of the Army increased, unfit May, 1919. There is no greater tribute to this officer than the fact that the Signal Service in France had an invariable reputation for first class efficiency.
The General is a graduate of the Staff College and has held various important appointments besides that mentioned above. Prior to his succeeding to the China Command he was commanding the troops in Singapore for a Lady Fowler is accompanying. him on his visit, and both are to be the guests of Mr. H. G. Simms, the Chairman of the 8. M.
Capt. Fisher, his A.D. C., who acted in the same capacity to General Sir George Kirkpatrick and accompanied the latter during the 1921 inspection, is the only staff officer accompanying General Fowler and will be staying with the Commandant of the 8. V.'C.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.