The Socialite

2Lt Sassoon as General Haig's Private Secretary. As with most Great War staff officers he wears scarlet gorget tabs in place of regimental badges

Major Sir Philip Sassoon GBE CMG - Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

Sir Philip Albert Gustave David Sassoon, 3rd Baronet, GBE, CMG  was born in 1888 and was a British politician, art collector and social host, entertaining many celebrity guests at his homes, Port Lympne Mansion, Kent, and Trent Park, Hertfordshire.  He was a member of the prominent Rothschild family and became chairman of his family’s company, David Sassoon & Co, a prominent trading firm, known as “the Rothschilds of the East” with interests in India and China.  While he retained shares, his participation in the management of the company was nominal.

He was educated at Eton and read Modern History at Christ Church, Oxford University.  He was one of only 25 Jewish undergraduates, but was invited to join the Bullingdon Club. He joined the Royal East Kent Yeomanry in 1907 while still at Oxford and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.