Archibald Wavell attended the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and served in the second Boer War, as well as in India. He was wounded in World War I. At the outset of World War II, he was named commander of British forces in the Middle East. He vanquished Italian troops there, but was defeated by the German forces under Rommel.
Wavell was transfered to Asia, commanding British forces first in India and then in Southeast Asia. After military setbacks in that theater, the command was abolished and Wavell was made Viceroy of India. He held that position until Indian independence.
Connell, John.Wavell, Scholar and Soldier. 1964. New York. Harcourt Brace & World.