General Plunkett, Belgrade 1919 - who was he?

[Moriaty]

I have seen a reference to a General Plunkett in Belgrade in late 1919 but have been unable to trace him.

Does anyone have any information on him?

Moriaty

[centurion]

Lt-Col (later [Major?] General) E A Plunkett, served as a military attaché in the Balkans during and after the First World War. Knocked down and killed by a tram or a bus in Piccadily

[corisande]

Edward Abadie Plunkett

You can get his mic on Ancestry or TNT

Born India 8 Sept. 1870 died Piccadilly 8 Jun 1926

[centurion]

He was gazetted as a Temporary Brigadier General in 1918 but when he got his CBE in 1920 he appears in the Gazette as back at Lt Col G.S.Os., 1st Grade

[Moriaty]

Thanks to all for the speedy response.

Moriaty

[corisande]

Sydney Morning Herald gave his death one line

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16297937

[centurion]

His daughter's (Diana Zwar well known in British Theatre) obituary (Independant 1992) says he got knocked down by a tram rather than an omnibus

[Moriaty]

Thanks for this additional archive, I had originally found General Plunket in Belgrade in the Australian newspaper archive when, in late December 1919, he was unable to supply any petrol to Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Kay who were attempting to fly to Australia in a Sopwith biplane. The airmen got some petrol from the French authorities but only sufficient to get them as far as Sofia.

Moriaty

[centurion]

Thanks for this additional archive, I had originally found General Plunket in Belgrade in the Australian newspaper archive when, in late December 1919, he was unable to supply any petrol to Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Kay who were attempting to fly to Australia in a Sopwith biplane. The airmen got some petrol from the French authorities but only sufficient to get them as far as Sofia.

Moriaty

He was the British military attaché at the time but the British military presence in Serbia at the time was relatively limited

[centurion]

Conditions in Belgrade at the time were not good - see this extract from the diary of Major Gen Sir Charles Rosenthal which describes part of the situation and the help Plunkett was able to give.

Saturday 15th November 1919

Arrived at about 4 am and was gratified to find we could go on direct to Belgrade, the railway bridge having been temporarily reinstated. Arrived at Belgrade station about 4.45. Passed baggage and left it in Stationmasters office. No conveyances available. Walked to Moscow Hotel in drizzling rain. No accommodation available – similar experience at Grand Hotel. Eventually secured rooms at the Crown of Serbia Hotel. Turned in at 6 am dead tired. Breakfast in Hotel Café at 10 am. Ascertained whereabouts of British Military Attache, Gen Plunkett, thanks to the kindness of a Salvation Army officer, who ran us round in his lorry. The Salvation Army has in Belgrade over £ 100000 worth of goods and stores of all kinds in order to help the local population, who have been for some time in a bad way and are short of many of the necessities of life. With Gen Plunkett called on Gen Michitieh Chief of General Staff of Servian Army. He arranged we should travel by boat tomorrow down the Danube from Belgrade to Orsova. This suits us excellently and gives us a chance to see the most interesting part of the Danube. The General has given instructions for cabins to be reserved for us. Called at Consuls office and had Passport visad. Met Sir Aubrey Young, British Minister. Called at Royal Palace and signed Visitors book. Made sundry purchases. Lunched at Hotel Moscow. Afterwards walked round Esplanade, Fort etc. A very fine panorama tho' the weather and light was unsuitable for photography. Called again at Gen Plunkett's office and had some official letters typed.

Dined at Grand hotel. Electric light failed during dinner and acetylene lamps brought into use. A frequent occurrence I am informed.

Took carriage & boat. Gen Plunkett's corporal assisting with baggage. Arrived on board at 8.30pm. Cabin reserved. Wrote up diary.

Servian troops in Belgrade of splendid physique especially Palace guard. City poor – one main business street. Had very interesting conversation with Gen Plunkett concerning relation between Italians & Serbs, blockade of Fiume affecting as it does the Servian people. Serb army still mobilised. Communications generally are very bad.

[Moriaty]

Thanks very much for this Centurian.

Moriaty

[Moriaty]

I have just found a reference to General Plunkett's fatal accident in the Manchester Guardian of 9 June 1926:

"General killed in street accident

Brigadier General E A Plunkett was killed yesterday morning in Piccadilly, London. He was crossing the road when he was knocked down by an omnibus, and when taken to hospital was found to be dead.

General Plunkett left his home at Chelsea shortly after ten o'clock to go to his club, and it was when he had almost reached the Naval and Military Club in Piccadilly that the accident occurred. He had a long record of service ranging from the Nile Expedition to the recent war, and had been on several military missions. Some years ago, he acted as Military Attache at Belgrade, Sofia, Athens and Bucharest."