Wavell, << WAY vuhl, >> Archibald Percival (1883-1950), was a British soldier and statesman. He was born near his father’s army post in Essex, and attended Winchester College and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. During World War I (1914-1918), Wavell served in France and in the Middle East.
At the beginning of World War II (1939-1945), Wavell took command of all British army forces in the Middle East. Wavell successfully defended Egypt against an Italian invasion in 1940. In 1941 he became commander in chief of British forces in India. From 1943 to 1947, Wavell served as viceroy of India. He became Viscount Wavell of Cyrenaica and Winchester in 1943.
