Louis Mountbatten Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Louis Mountbatten, also known as Earl Mountbatten of Burma, was a prominent British naval officer, statesman, and the last Viceroy of India. Born in 1900 into the royal Battenberg family, Mountbatten had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, rising to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. He played a crucial role in the Allied forces during World War II, serving as the Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia Command.

In 1947, Mountbatten was appointed as the last Viceroy of India, tasked with overseeing the country’s transition to independence. He worked closely with Indian leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, to facilitate the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. Despite the challenges and violence that accompanied the partition, Mountbatten’s leadership during this critical period was widely acknowledged.

Throughout his life, Mountbatten received numerous honors and titles, including the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, and Knight of the Order of the Garter. He was also a recipient of the Order of Merit, a prestigious award given by the British monarch. Mountbatten and his wife, Countess Edwina Mountbatten, lived at 2 Wilton Crescent in London’s fashionable Belgravia district, located in the Borough of Westminster. This area has long been associated with the British aristocracy and high society.

Tragically, in 1979, Mountbatten was assassinated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) while on holiday in Ireland. His death shocked the nation and the world, as he was a respected figure and a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite his untimely demise, Mountbatten’s legacy as a naval officer, statesman, and the last Viceroy of India continues to be remembered and honored to this day.