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A little while back I was contemplating a timeline where Sir John French, having resigned as CIGS in April 1914, was not appointed to command the Expeditionary Force (later to become the B.E.F.) when war was looming. The PoD would be pressure from the Conservatives & Ulster Unionists following his part in the muddle of the Curragh Mutiny. Originally my idea was that James Grierson would be an obvious replacement, only to die of an aneurism as OTL and be replaced on Kitchener’s say-so by Smith-Dorrien.

However in my research, apart from it being obvious French was the only candidate for the role in the Government’s eyes, I came across Kitchener putting Hamilton forward to replace Grierson as O.C. II Corps, but this being declined as Hamilton was too senior, so S-D came out as opposed to French’s choice of Plumer.

So, assuming French is considered persona-non-grata by some of the frock coats, who would lead the B.E.F? Douglas, his replacement as CIGS, or his successor Wolfe-Murray? Promote the corps commanders Grierson or Haig? Hamilton as proposed? Smith-Dorrien? How about Robertson or even K of K himself – he was rumoured to desire the post of CIGS as well as Minister of War so could he resist taking up the baton?
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