It had nominal command of the British troops around the Mediterranean Sea: in Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus and Egypt.
Connaught, as Inspector-General of the Forces, had antagonised the War Office by his negative reports on the Esher reforms of the Army.
He regarded the post as "the fifth wheel on the coach" and only accepted it on the King's insistence, but resigned two years later, effectively ending his military career.
[2] Instead the Adjutant-General Sir Ian Hamilton was appointed,[3] with the additional role of Inspector-General of Overseas Forces to make the job more attractive.
[4] Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief and High Commissioner in the Mediterranean General Officer Commanding-in-Chief and High Commissioner in the Mediterranean In July 1914 Hamilton was back in Britain and, on the outbreak of the First World War the following month, was appointed to command Central Force at home.