The Most Bad*ss Human To Ever Exist Might Go To This Legend

Adrian Carton de Wiart was a British Army officer known for his exceptional bravery and resilience. Born on May 5, 1880, in Brussels, Belgium, to a Belgian father and Irish mother, he would go on to lead a life marked by adventure and war. Carton de Wiart served in three major conflicts: the Second Boer War, World War I, and World War II, earning him the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British Empire.

Early Life and Career

Carton de Wiart began his military journey by enlisting in the Belgian Army before joining the British Army in 1899. He falsified his name and age to qualify for combat in the Second Boer War, where he was shot in the stomach and groin. Despite this, he continued to serve, losing his left eye in Somaliland during World War I and later his left hand in the trenches of France.

Notable Achievements

Victoria Cross: Awarded for his bravery during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, where he took charge of three units and led them to hold off the advancing enemy.

Multiple Injuries: Carton de Wiart sustained 11 injuries throughout his career, including being shot in the face, head, stomach, leg, groin, and ankle.

Prisoner of War: He was captured by the Italians during World War II and made multiple escape attempts, including digging a 60-foot tunnel.

Leadership Roles

British Military Mission to Poland*: Carton de Wiart served as the head of the British Military Mission to Poland during World War II, where he advised the Polish government and military.

Central Norwegian Expeditionary Forces*: He led the Central Norwegian Expeditionary Forces in a failed attempt to hold Trondheim against German forces.

Personal Representative to Chiang Kai-shek: Carton de Wiart served as Winston Churchill's personal representative to Chiang Kai-shek in China, playing a key role in Allied diplomacy.

Legacy

Carton de Wiart's memoir, "Happy Odyssey," provides a glimpse into his remarkable life. He died on June 5, 1963, at the age of 83, and was buried in Caum Churchyard, County Cork, Ireland. His legacy serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and bravery in the face of adversity.