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.
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
Cross of St. George – I, II, III, IV class
Order of St. Anna – III class with swords
Order of St. Stanislaus – II, III class
Gold Sword for Bravery
French Republic
Médaille militaire
Republic of Estonia
Estonian Cross of Liberty VR I/2 for Military Leadership – 2. class (posthumously) Estonian Cross of Liberty VR II/2 for Personal Courage – 2. class (posthumously) Estonian Cross of Liberty VR II/3 for Personal Courage – 3. class (posthumously)
References
1886 births
1919 deaths
People from Viljandi Parish
People from Kreis Fellin
Russian military personnel of World War I
Estonian military personnel of the Estonian War of Independence
Recipients of the Order of St. George of the First Degree
Recipients of the Order of St. George of the Second Degree
Recipients of the Order of St. George of the Third Degree
Recipients of the Order of St. Anna, 3rd class
Recipients of the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class
Recipients of the Gold Sword for Bravery
Recipients of the Cross of Liberty (Estonia)