Percy Sykes

Brigadier-General Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes KCIE, CB, CMG (28 February 1867-11 June 1945) was a soldier, diplomat and scholar, with a considerable literary output. He wrote historical, geographical, and biographical works, as well as describing his travels in Persia. Sykes was born in Brompton, Kent, England the only son of Rev. William Sykes and his wife Mary Molesworth, and educated at Rugby School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 16th Lancers, but transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Guards in 1888. He was posted to India and made several journeys through Persia and Baluchistan. During the Second Boer War he served in the Intelligence Department and commanded the Montgomery Imperial Yeomanry. The Royal Geographical Society awarded him the Back grant in 1899 and the Patron's Gold Medal in 1902. In 1902 he transferred to the Indian Army. Over the next few years he made extensive journeys in the Middle East and was appointed consul-general for Khuzustan in 1906.

Towards the end of 1915, Percy Sykes was given the temporary rank of Brigadier-General and sent with the agreement of the Persian government at the head of a mission to raise a Persian force to counter the strong German influence in most of South Persia. His forces supported the Russians against the Turks and restored some order to the country. In 1917 his South Persia Rifles, received recognition from the Persian government, but this was withdrawn in June when a new Government took office. This resulted in some local conflict until the war ended.

Sykes retired from the army in 1924, retaining the honorary rank of Brigadier-General. From 1932 until his death he was honorary secretary of the Royal Central Asian Society, now known as the Royal Society for Asian Affairs. The society has in its gift an award called The Sir Percy Sykes Memorial Medal.

In 1902 he married Evelyn Seton, eldest daughter of Colonel Bruce Seton of the Royal Engineers and they had six children..

Publications

* Ten Thousand Miles in Persia (1902)
* History of Persia (2 volumes), (1915}
* History of Afghanistan (2 volumes) (1940}

References

* Who’s Who
* Meyer, Karl E. and Shareen Blair Brysac, "Kingmakers: the Invention of the Modern Middle East", W.W. Norton, 2008.
* Wynn Anthony, "Persia in the Great Game – Sir Percy Sykes: Explorer, Consul, Soldier" John Murray 2003

External links

* [http://www.rsaa.org.uk/Sykes%20-%20post-proof.pdf Royal society for Asian Affairs]
*"A Very British Coup: How Reza Shah Won and Lost His Throne"by Shareen Blair Brysac, World Policy Journal, Summer 2007. [http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/wopj.2007.24.2.90]