BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 127 Forde, R.E , and was very popular, not only in military circles, where from his immense size and strength he bore the sobriquet of “ Long Tom.”

At Sebastopol he was twice severely wounded. In the assault of the Redan he bravely led a ladder party, a most daring duty, and for his heroism in bringing in wounded on several occasions under a terrific fire he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was also engaged in the battles of Alma and Inkerman, and in I860 went to China, where he took part in numerous engage¬ ments, being present at the assault of Tangku and the Taku forts. He was also present at the surrender of Pekin and in this war was wounded by a jingal ball. In the summer of 1882 he was appointed to the command of the second brigade in the British expedition to Egypt, and was actively engaged in the preliminary movements of the camnaign against Arabi Pasha, and took a prominent part in the battle of Tel-el-Kebir.

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR RED VERS BULLER, V.C.

Major-General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., Lord Wolseley’s Chief of Staff, has seen much honourable service before the present campaign. He was gazetted 2nd lieutenant in 1858, lieutenant in 1862, captain in 1870. major in 1874, lieutenant-colonel in 1878, and colonel in 1879. He is also aide-de-camp to the Queen, and D. A. & Q. M. General of South Africa, with the rank of