Anton Irv

Anton Irv
Born	(1886-09-17)September 17, 1886
Died	April 27, 1919(1919-04-27) (aged 32)
Place of birth	Ruudiküla, Viljandi Parish, Viljandi County, Estonia
Place of death	Egle railway station, near Strenči, Latvia
Allegiance	Estonia
Service/branch	Estonia
Years of service	1914–1917 Imperial Russian Army 1918-1919 Estonian Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	Division of Armoured Trains
Battles/wars	World War I Estonian War of Independence

Anton Irv (17 September 1886 – 27 April 1919) was an Estonian military officer during World War I and the Estonian War of Independence. Along with Karl Parts, he was the leader of Estonian armored trains. Anton Irv died in a Battle of Egle in Latvia.

Anton Irv was born in Sillaotsa (also Ülevarese) farmstead, Ruudi 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 to his being decorated with all four degrees of the Cross of St. George. In 1915, Irv was promoted to Captain. In the end of the World War he came to Estonia, to help assemble Estonian military forces to fight against advancing Red Army in the War of Independence. Irv became a battalion commander of the 1st Estonian Regiment. Later he also helped to organize the Division of Estonian Armoured Trains. Irv became a commander of that unit after Karl Parts got wounded.

After rushing Soviets out of Estonian territory, Estonian Southern front moved into the territory of Latvia helping to liberate country from the units of Landeswehr. Irv was leading his unit in the battle near the railway station of Egle where he was suddenly killed.

Decorations

Empire of Russia

• Order of St. George - I, II, II, IV degree
• Médaille militaire
• Order of St. Anna - III degree with swords
• Order of Vladimir - IV degree
• Order of St Stanislav - II,III degrees

Estonia

• Estonian Cross of Liberty - (posthumously)