Gustav von Kessel

Gustav von Kessel was born on 6 April 1846 in Potsdam, Prussia. He came from a Prussian military family that produced several generals and politicians, including his father Generalmajor Emil von Kessel. He attended various schools, including the Liegnitz Ritter-Akademie, and in 1864 enlisted in the 1st Foot Guards; being commissioned as Sekondeleutnant a year later. He participated in the Austro-Prussian War, being wounded at the Battle of Königgrätz, and the Franco-Prussian War, being wounded at the Battle of Gravelotte.

He was promoted to Premierleutnant in 1872, went to the Prussian Staff College, served a tour in the German General Staff and was made Hauptmann in command of a company in 1878. Later he became adjutant to the crown prince Friedrich Wilhelm, who'd briefly rule as Emperor Frederick III before dying from cancer. With the later's son Wilhelm II ascending to the throne; von Kessel again served the sovereign as adjutant. Continuing to climb the career ladder; he became a Generalmajor in 1896 and three years later a Generalleutnant and Generaladjutant to the Emperor.

As imperial adjutant posts frequently were coupled with positions in the guards; he led his old regiment, the brigade and both the 2nd and 1st guards infantry divisions before eventually receiving command of the Guard Corps in 1902.

From 1909 onwards von Kessel was Military Governor of Berlin and the surrounding province, serving on said post throughout World War I.

Among his decorations and honors were:[1]

• Order of the Black Eagle with Chain
• Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle
• Order of the Crown 1st Class
• Grand Commander of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern
• Iron Cross 2nd Class
• Knight of the Order of Saint Hubert
• (Honorary) Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom)[2]
• Inhaber of the 20th (3rd Brandenburg) Infantry Regiment "Count Tauentzien von Wittenberg"

• List of German colonel generals

• Rangliste der Königlich Preußischen Armee und des XIII. (Königlich Württembergischen) Armeekorps für 1914 (in German). Berlin: Prussian Ministry of War. 1914.
• "The London Gazette". London. 1 February 1901. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)