Anton Irv

Anton Irv VR I/2, VR II/2, VR II/3 (17 September 1886 – 27 April 1919) was a highly decorated Estonian combat soldier and military officer during World War I and in the Estonian War of Independence.[1]

Anton Irv
Born17 September 1886
Ruudiküla, Viljandi Parish, Viljandi County, Estonia
Died27 April 1919
Egle railway station (near Strenči), Latvia
Allegiance Estonia
Service/branchEstonia
Years of service1914–1917 Imperial Russian Army
1918–1919 Estonian Army
RankCaptain
UnitDivision of Armoured Trains
Battles/warsWorld War I
Estonian War of Independence

Along with captain Karl Parts, he was the leader of Estonian armored trains in the Estonian War of Independence. Anton Irv died in the Battle of Egle (near Strenči) in Latvia.

Anton Irv was born in Sillaotsa farmstead, Ruudiküla village, Viljandi Parish (now Viiratsi Parish), Viljandi County, Governorate of Livonia. Before World War I, Irv worked as a teacher.

During the World War I, he served in the Imperial Russian Army. He showed his good leading abilities and courage which led him to be decorated with all four classes of the Cross of St. George (the set of a "Full Cavalier"), the Médaille militaire and the Gold Sword for Bravery. In 1915 Irv was promoted to commissioned officer.

In the end of 1917 he came to Estonia, and helped to organize the Estonian military forces in order to fight against the Red Army in the Estonian War of Independence. Irv helped to organize the Division of Armoured Trains and became a commander of that unit in 23. January 1919.

After rushing the Red Army out of the Estonian territory in 1919, Estonian Southern front moved into the territory of Latvia and helped also to liberate the North of Latvia of the units of the Red Army. Irv was leading his unit in the battle near the railway station of Egle (near Strenči) in 27. April 1919, when he was suddenly killed.

Decorations

Russian Empire

French Republic

Republic of Estonia

References

  1. Toivo Miljan, Historical Dictionary of Estonia, Scarecrow Press 2004
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