Irish soldier and administrator. He defeated the Sudanese at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898 and reoccupied Khartoum. In South Africa, he was commander-in-chief 190002 during the Boer War, and he commanded the forces in India 190209. Appointed war minister on the outbreak of World War I, he was successful in his campaign calling for voluntary recruitment.
The flag may have been based on that of Schwyz, one of the original cantons of the Confederation. While the national flag is square, a rectangular flag is used on Swiss lakes and rivers. Effective date: 12 December 1889.