Adrian Carton de Wiart

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Adrian Carton de Wiart (5 May 1880 – 5 June 1963) was a British Army officer of Belgian and Irish descent. He served in the Boer War, World War I, and World War II, and his military career is noted for his charismatic leadership and the extent of his injuries, having been wounded in action multiple times. Carton de Wiart's life reads like a history of British military engagements in the first half of the 20th century, and he is often celebrated for his indomitable spirit and refusal to be subdued by injury.

Early Life

Adrian Carton de Wiart was born in Brussels, Belgium, to an Irish mother and a Belgian aristocrat father. His family moved to Egypt when he was a child, where his father was a court magistrate. Carton de Wiart was sent to England for his education, attending the Roman Catholic boarding school, Stonyhurst College, followed by the University of Oxford, though he did not complete his studies, opting instead to enlist in the British Army at the outbreak of the Boer War.

Military Career

Boer War

Carton de Wiart's military career began in South Africa, where he joined the British forces fighting in the Boer War. His service here was the start of a long and storied military career that would span over half a century.

World War I

During World War I, he served on the Western Front and in the Middle East. In 1915, while fighting in the Battle of the Somme, he was severely wounded, resulting in the loss of his left eye. He returned to the front lines after recovering, only to be wounded several more times. Carton de Wiart was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and other previous British Empire territories.

Between the Wars

Between the wars, Carton de Wiart served in Poland, becoming involved in the Polish-Soviet War. He was also part of the British military mission to Poland and was a close advisor to Polish leaders, including Marshal Józef Piłsudski.

World War II

With the outbreak of World War II, despite his age, Carton de Wiart returned to active service. He was sent to Norway in 1940 as part of the British military mission there. Later, he was appointed as the head of the British-Yugoslav military mission. In 1941, while en route to Yugoslavia, his aircraft was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea. He was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war in Italy. He made several escape attempts, one of which was successful for a brief period before he was recaptured.

Later Life and Death

After the war, Carton de Wiart retired from the military. He spent the remainder of his life in Ireland, passing away on 5 June 1963. His autobiography, Happy Odyssey, was published in 1950, providing a detailed account of his experiences and adventures throughout his military career.

Legacy

Adrian Carton de Wiart's life and military service are often cited as examples of extraordinary bravery and resilience. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who served in the military during some of the most tumultuous times in modern history.