Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, a British statesman and naval officer, was a man of honor. Born into an international royal family, he rose to become Lord Louis Mountbatten, holding prestigious titles such as The Right Honourable The Viscount Mountbatten of Burma and The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Known informally as Lord Mountbatten, he achieved remarkable success throughout his life, serving in the Royal Navy and playing a crucial role in the negotiation of independence for India and Pakistan. With his dedication and commitment, he reached the pinnacle of the British Royal Navy as Admiral of the Fleet. Additionally, Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor General of independent India. His exceptional contributions were recognized and honored by various countries around the world.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In June Also Known As: Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
- Died At Age: 79
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Edwina Mountbatten, Countess Mountbatten of Burma (m. 1922–1960), father: Prince Louis of Battenberg, mother: Princess Victoria of Hesse, siblings: George Mountbatten, Louise Mountbatten, Princess Alice of Battenberg, children: 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Lady Pamela Hicks, Patricia Knatchbull
- Born Country: England
- Military Leaders
- British Men
- Died on: August 27, 1979
- Place of death: Mullaghmore, Ireland
- Notable Alumni: Christ’s College, Cambridge
- Cause of Death: Assassination
- City: Windsor, England
- More Facts
- Education: Christ’s College, Cambridge
- Awards: Knight of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Order of Merit, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Distinguished Service Order
Childhood & Early Life
Born to Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse, Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten was the youngest of their four children. He had two sisters, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Queen Louise of Sweden, and a brother, George Mountbatten, 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven. Since his birth, he was known as His Serene Highness Prince Louis of Battenberg.
Mountbatten received his education at home for the first ten years of his life before attending Lockers Park School in Hertfordshire. He later moved to the Royal Naval College, Osborne in 1913.
Formative Years
After completing his education, Mountbatten joined the Royal Navy in 1916. He served on the HMS Lion and HMS Elizabeth. In 1919, he was promoted to sub-lieutenant and attended Christ College, Cambridge for a course in engineering. He was then promoted to lieutenant in 1920 and served on the battle cruiser HMS Renown. He was later transferred to HMS Repulse and accompanied Prince Edward on a tour to India and Japan.
During his naval career, Mountbatten continued his education. He enrolled at the Portsmouth Signals School in 1924 to pursue his interest in technological development and studied electronics at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. He also became a Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
Mountbatten held various positions in the Royal Navy, including Assistant Fleet Wireless and Signals Officer of the Mediterranean Fleet, commander of the battleship HMS Resolution, and captain of the destroyer HMS Daring. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1937.
Role in the Second World War
In June 1939, Mountbatten was given command of the battleship Kelly. During the Second World War, he successfully executed several daring operations as commander of the HMS Kelly. He was also part of the Norwegian campaign. However, the Kelly was sunk by German dive bombers off the coast of Crete in 1941.
In 1941, Mountbatten was appointed captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. He became Chief of Combined Operations in October 1941 and was promoted to commodore. He played a significant role in planning commando raids and inventing new technical aids for opposed landings.
Mountbatten also had a role in the disastrous Dieppe Raid in 1942. Despite this failure, he achieved remarkable technical achievements, including the construction of an underwater oil pipeline and an artificial harbor.
In 1943, Mountbatten was appointed Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command (SEAC). He worked with General William Slim to reclaim Burma and Singapore from the Japanese. SEAC was disbanded in 1946, and Mountbatten returned home with the rank of rear-admiral.
Role in India
In 1947, Mountbatten was appointed as the Viceroy of India. He oversaw the British withdrawal from India and the transition to independent states of India and Pakistan. Despite his efforts to promote a united India, he could not sway Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who demanded a separate Muslim state of Pakistan. Mountbatten eventually accepted the partition plan and set a fixed date for the transfer of power.
On August 14-15, 1947, India and Pakistan attained independence. Mountbatten remained in New Delhi as the country’s first Governor General until June 1948.
Later Years
After his role in India, Mountbatten resumed his naval services. He held various positions, including Commander-in-Chief for the Mediterranean Fleet and First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff at the Admiralty. He served as Chief of the United Kingdom Defence Staff and chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 1959 to 1965.
Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA in 1979 while on holiday in Mullaghmore, County Sligo. His eldest daughter, Lady Patricia Mountbatten, initiated the Mountbatten Internship Programme in his memory.
Personal Life & Legacy
Mountbatten married Edwina Cynthia Annette Ashley in 1922, and they had two daughters together. Since he had no male heir, he created titles that could pass to his daughters and their heirs.
Mountbatten received numerous awards and honors from different countries, recognizing his contributions. He was assassinated in 1979, and his legacy includes the Mountbatten Internship Programme.
Trivia
- Prince Charles is Lord Mountbatten’s grand-nephew.
- Mountbatten was known for his numerous affairs and was rumored to have a sexual interest in men.
- His wife Edwina Mountbatten and Jawaharlal Nehru were said to be deeply in love.
- Mountbatten tried to persuade Jinnah for a united India before the partition.
- He was granted a patent for a system for maintaining a warship in a fixed position relative to another ship.
- The date of India’s independence was chosen to satisfy Mountbatten’s vanity.
- Mountbatten remained in New Delhi for ten months after India achieved independence.
- He participated in a 12-part autobiographical television series and was the first member of the Royal Family to appear on the TV show “This Is Your Life.”