Since George II created the rank of field marshal in 1736, just 138 men have attained it. They include, curiously, Japan's Emperor Hirohito, who was the 99th appointment and one that proved embarrassing during the 1939-45 war. Even Earl Haig, the commander of the British Armies on the Western Front during the First World War, will be represented in the form of actor Sir John Mills. He played Field Marshal Haig in the 1969 film O What A Lovely War!