Julian Byng was born in 1862. He joined the British Army and as a member of the 10th Hussars served in the Sudan (1884) and the Boer War (1899-1901). On the outbreak of the First World War Byng was placed in command of the 3rd Cavalry Division of British Expeditionary Force. He led his troops at Gallipoli (1915) and organised the successful withdrawal from Sulva Bay.

Byng fought at Arras and his forces captured Vimy Ridge in April 1917. As commander of the 3rd Army he organised the first large-scale tank attack at Cambrai in November 1917. His growing reputation was enhanced during the victories he achieved on the Western Front in the autumn of 1918.

Rewarded with a peerage Byng served as Governor-General of Canada (1921-26) and Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police (1928-31). Sir Julian Byng died in 1935.