Evered Poole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Evered Poole
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General Poole with Field Marshal Jan Smuts in June 1944
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| Born | 8 October 1902 Caledon, Cape Colony |
| Died | 9 March 1969 (aged 66) Bellville, Cape Province |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Service/ |
South African Army |
| Years of service | 1920–1951 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |              |
| Spouse(s) |
Elsie Irene van Boescoten
(m. 1927; div. 1951)Maureen Naish-Gray
(m. 1951) |
| Other work | Diplomat |
William Henry Evered Poole (born 8 October 1902, died 9 March 1969) was a very important South African Army leader during the Second World War. After the war, he became a diplomat, representing South Africa in other countries. He reached the rank of Major General.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William Henry Evered Poole was born in Caledon, Cape Colony on 8 October 1902. His father, Major William John Evered Poole, was a soldier. His mother, Constance van Breda, came from a well-known family in the Cape Colony.
William went to St Andrew's College in Grahamstown from 1911 to 1917. He also attended Diocesan College in Rondebosch in 1918.
In 1927, Poole married Elsie Irene van Boeschoten. They had one daughter. Later, in 1951, their marriage ended. He then married Maureen Naish-Gray on 22 October 1951.
Military Career
Joining the Army
In 1920, William Poole joined the 9th Infantry Regiment. This was part of the Active Citizen Force. He started as a private soldier.
In 1922, he moved to the Permanent Force. This meant he became a full-time soldier. He did very well in his training. In 1923, he became an officer.
Early Commands
Poole served in the South African Field Artillery. He also worked at the South African Military College. He always did well in his courses, often coming in first place.
In 1932, he became a captain. He then joined the Special Service Battalion as second-in-command. In February 1934, he became the leader of the battalion.
He spent some time training with the British Brigade of Guards in London. He also attended the Senior Officers' School. In 1936, he returned to lead the Special Service Battalion again.
Leading the Military College
In 1937, Poole moved to the South African Military College. He became the Commandant (leader) of the college in March 1938.
When the Second World War began in September 1939, the college grew a lot. Poole helped to organise the new, bigger facilities. This included large dining halls for many officer cadets.
World War II Service
In August 1940, Poole became a colonel in the 1st South African Infantry Division. Later, he moved to the 2nd South African Infantry Division.
In April 1941, he was promoted to brigadier. He then took command of the 2nd South African Infantry Brigade in Egypt. He fought in important battles like the Battle of Gazala in 1942.
He also commanded his brigade in the famous Second Battle of El Alamein in October–November 1942. This was a major victory for the Allied forces.
Leading the 6th Armoured Division
In February 1943, Poole became a major general. He took command of the 6th South African Armoured Division. He led this division through its training in the Middle East.
He then led them during their service in Italy. They were part of the British Eighth Army. After Florence was freed, his division joined the Fifth United States Army.
At the end of the war, he was in charge of all South African troops in the Central Mediterranean. He oversaw their return home until March 1946.
Awards During the War
During the Second World War, General Poole received many honours. He was mentioned in official reports twice for his bravery. He also received the Distinguished Service Order.
He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He also received the United States Legion of Merit. France honoured him with the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre.
Post-War and Diplomatic Career
After the war, Poole moved into a new career. In 1948, he was sent to Berlin to lead the South African military mission there.
He then became a diplomat. He served as an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary (a type of ambassador) to Italy, Greece, and Egypt. In 1954, he moved to Argentina and Chile. In 1960, he became the ambassador to Greece.
As a diplomat, he received more honours. He became a Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. In 1964, while in Greece, he received the Order of George I.
St Andrew's College, his old school, still awards the General Evered Poole Cadet Cup each year. This cup is given to the winning house in their cadet competition.
In his later years, General Poole suffered from a lung illness. This made him retire in 1966. He spent his retirement living between his home in Hermanus, Cape Province, and Greece. He died on 9 March 1969.
Awards and Decorations
Order of the Bath (Companion) (CB)
Order of the British Empire (Commander) (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Venerable Order of Saint John (Gr II - Knight of Justice or Grace) (KStJ)
1939–45 Star
Africa Star
Italy Star
War Medal 1939 – 1945 (Mentioned in Dispatches) (MID)
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
Legion of Merit (Commander) (LOM)
Légion d'honneur (Commander – France)
Order of George I (Greece)
Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France)
