<Li> Second Sino - Japanese War </Li> <Tr> <Th> Awards </Th> <Td> Victoria Cross Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches Virtuti Militari (Poland) Croix de guerre (Belgium) Legion of Honour (France) Croix de Guerre (France) </Td> </Tr> <P> Lieutenant General Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO (5 May 1880--5 June 1963) was a British Army officer born of Belgian and Irish parents, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" in various Commonwealth countries . He served in the Boer War, First World War, and Second World War; was shot in the face, head, stomach, ankle, leg, hip, and ear; survived two plane crashes; tunnelled out of a prisoner - of - war camp; and tore off his own fingers when a doctor refused to amputate them . Describing his experiences in the First World War, he wrote, "Frankly I had enjoyed the war ." </P> <P> After returning home from service (including a period as a prisoner - of - war) in the Second World War, he was sent to China as Winston Churchill's personal representative . While en route he attended the Cairo Conference . </P>

A british soldier who fought in both world wars