John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill (03MAY23)

That's Mad Jack to you fella!

John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill, also known as "Mad Jack," was an eccentric British Army officer who fought in World War II. He is best known for his unconventional tactics, including his use of a Scottish broadsword in combat.

Churchill was born in 1906 in Colombo, British Ceylon, where his father was serving as a civil servant. He attended military school in England and later joined the British Army in 1926. During the interwar years, Churchill served in various locations around the world, including Palestine and Burma.

When World War II broke out, Churchill was a lieutenant colonel and was serving as the commanding officer of the Manchester Regiment. He saw action in Norway, where he led a commando raid against German positions. During the raid, Churchill famously charged into battle playing "The March of the Cameron Men" on his bagpipes.

Churchill's most famous exploit came during the Allied landings in Italy in 1943. He led his men ashore carrying a Scottish broadsword and was the only British officer to carry a sword into battle during the war. Churchill's unconventional tactics earned him a reputation as a fearless and unconventional soldier.

Despite his eccentricities, Churchill was a skilled tactician and was respected by his fellow officers. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during the raid in Norway and was later promoted to the rank of brigadier.

After the war, Churchill returned to England and worked as a newspaper editor and later as a model for an advertising campaign. He continued to play the bagpipes and remained an eccentric character until his death in 1996 at the age of 89.