Adrian Carton de Wiart's autobiography is one of the most remarkable of military memoirs. He was the son of a Belgian barrister, Leon Constant Ghislain Carton de Wiart (1854-1915). He, himself, was intended for the law, but abandoned his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1899 to serve as a trooper in the South African War. He abandoned the law for all time on 14 September 1901 when he received a direct commission in the 4th Dragoon Guards. Carton de Wiart's extraordinary military career embraced service with the Somaliland Camel Corps (1914-15), liaison officer with Polish forces (1939), membership of the British Military Mission to Yugoslavia (1941), a period as a prisoner of war (1941-43), and three years as Churchill's representative to Chiang Kai-shek (1943-46). (Churchill was a great admirer.) During the Great War, besides commanding the 8th Glosters, Carton de Wiart was GOC 12 Brigade (1917) and GOC 105 Brigade (April 1918). Both these command were terminated by wounds. He was wounded eight times during the war (including the loss of an eye and a hand), won the VC during the Batlle of the Somme, was mentioned in despatches six times, and was the model for Brigadier Ben Ritchie Hook in the Sword of Honour trilogy of Evelyn Waugh.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Nils Stormby
Format:Paperback
This is a most remarkable book written by a most remarkable person who totally failed in his academic career but was saved from studies by the Boer war. An outstanding horse-man repeatedly wounded and loosing an eye in Africa and the left arm at Ypres in WW1, and moreover full of scrapnels here and there and everywhere, awarded the VC, he is a marvellous not to say uniqe example of a warrior and sportsman who ended who failed all theoretical studies but became a lieutentant-general and later ended up as Churchills special emissar to Poland abd later to China. Wounded repeatedly in numerous battles he was always referred to the same hospital and room in London where he was provided with his own dressing-gown always waiting for him. His career came to an end slipping on a coco mat in China breaking his back - and referred back again to 'his' hospital in London. An exciting personality with a lot of humour.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Other reviewers justly underline the unique character of this man. I would like to add that this book makes an interesting reading especially when one thinks it was not written by a professionally trained soldier: Carton de Wiart never went to military academy. Secondly, his humour is often caustic and politically incorrect, if viewed from the point of view of a contemporary reader - I found this refreshing, no matter if you agree with the author or not. The last thing is that -with remarkable modesty- he does not once mention the Victoria Cross he was awarded in WWI.
Lastly, one wonders how such an 'action man' could be tasked with political/diplomatic appointments which at first sight would require a different skill set than -by his own admission- his own. Well, perhaps it is a sign that big democracies can accommodate large personalities?
Lastly, one wonders how such an 'action man' could be tasked with political/diplomatic appointments which at first sight would require a different skill set than -by his own admission- his own. Well, perhaps it is a sign that big democracies can accommodate large personalities?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wondereful read aabout a most remarkable and modest man. He led a life such as you might imagine a
John Buchan hero might have done, and it's all described by him in the most matter of fact manner. He
talks about being at the Somme, but doesn't find it necessary to mention that he was awarded the VC there,
and the VC is not mentioned anywhere in the book.
If you are a military book reader - BUY IT - and read it every time you feel a bit down.
John Buchan hero might have done, and it's all described by him in the most matter of fact manner. He
talks about being at the Somme, but doesn't find it necessary to mention that he was awarded the VC there,
and the VC is not mentioned anywhere in the book.
If you are a military book reader - BUY IT - and read it every time you feel a bit down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Priceless
Books like this will never be written again. Individuals with De Wiart's mix of old world chivalry and 'boys own' style of 'up and at 'em' can scarcely exist anymore. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2011 by JR
4.0 out of 5 stars
A remarkable Soldier
It is good to see this notable autobiography reissued to a new audience. First published in 1950, it tells the story of one of the most remarkable characters of the First and... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2011 by Themilitaryhistorian
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings even in context
The first thing to keep in mind when reading the autobiography of Sir Adrian, is that it was written by an Edwardian soldier back in 1950. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2010 by Miran Ali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic story to match a unique life
Carton de Wiart wrote this himself and it is a top quality work. Make no mistake this is a shocking story of a heroic man in love with war, but he is very, very good at it. Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by jamo
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