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Major General W.H. Evered Poole
Major-General Poole is one of the most under-publicized of all South Africa’s great generals, despite commanding the highly regarded 6th South African Armoured Division during World War II. The division would go on to spearhead success in the Italian Campaign, earning high praise from General Mark W. Clark, describing it as:
“Under a most competent leader, Major-General W. H. E. Poole. This unit had previously been shifted to the Fifth Army front, and had performed splendidly under adverse conditions. It was a battle-wise outfit, bold and aggressive against the enemy, and willing to do whatever job was necessary.”
Born into a distinguished military family in the Cape Colony on October 8, 1902, Poole quickly advanced through the ranks of the South African Army. He became colonel of the 1st South African Infantry Division in 1940, was promoted to brigadier in 1941, and reached the rank of major general by 1943 when he took command of 6SA. Lieutenant-General George E. Brink, who recommended Poole to General Smuts for this appointment, said of him:
“Evered Poole met the challenge with courage and great determination. The achievements of the 6th S.A. Armoured Division are well known. Its commander made a name for himself, and the Division’s record is indeed one of which South Africans can be proud.”
After the war he would be promoted to the rank of Major-General and later that same year (1946) promoted to Deputy Chief of the General Staff and given the honour to lead the South African contingent in the Victory Parade in London. But following the National party’s election in 1948 the rank of Deputy Chief of the General Staff was abolished and Poole was posted to Berlin to head the South African military mission there. In 1951 he would switch to a diplomatic career serving as an ambassador to Italy, Argentina, Chile, and Greece before retiring in 1966 to Hermanus. He would pass away in 1969 at 66 years of age.
Poole’s distinguished service earned him multiple decorations, including:
- Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- Commander of the United States Legion of Merit
- Commander of the French Legion of Honour
- French Croix de Guerre 1939-1945
- Italy Star
- War Medal 1939–1945 (Mentioned in Dispatches)
- Africa Service Medal
- Africa Star
- Order of George I (as ambassador to Greece)
- Venerable Order of Saint John (as a diplomat)
Gallery
Field Marshal J C Smuts (Prime Minister), Maj-Gen WH Evered Poole (GOC 6th SA Armoured Division) and Lt-Gen Sir Pierre van Ryneveld (SA Chief of Staff), in Italy, 24 June 1944. The visit was to discuss the implications of the surrender of A Coy, First City/Cape Town Highlanders (“the CHIUSI affair”).
Field Marshal Smuts and Maj-Gen Poole ride on a tank during an inspection, 29 September 1943
Maj-Gen Poole having a lunch-break on the turret of his tank.
This with bit of a touch up could also work for the profile picture.
Major General Evered Poole greeting the South African 6th Division (left) and Brigadier Pleasants (New Zealand 2nd Division) alongside Maj General Poole before a game of rugby between the two division’s teams.
Sources
Evered Poole - Wikipedia
Tribute to late Major-General W. H. Evered Poole, CB, CBE, DSO
MAJOR-GENERAL W H EVERED POOLE - South African Military History Society
6th South African Armoured Division - Wikipedia
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp136874/william-henry-evered-poole
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