Who was the last British prime minister to serve in combat?

Question: Who was the last British prime minister to serve in combat!?

It interests me that Americans attach so much importance to the military record of their presidential candidates!.

In the UK we don't care so much about that, so I wondered who was the last PM to have an active military record!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

James Callaghan - PM 1976-1979!. He was born in 1912 and, like most of his generation, served in WW2 - though I can't say exactly where!. [Edit - he joined the navy as an Ordinary Seaman and served in the Far East 1942-1944, reaching the rank of Lieutenant!. His service was cut short when he developed TB]!.

The UK is different to the US in this respect!. With us, a career in the military is not a good starting-point for a career in politics!. The last British general to serve as PM was the Duke of Wellington in 1820-something!. It was not a success!.

There are reasons for this - mainly, I suspect that in UK political circles everyone has to start at the bottom and work up, whereas in the US it seems possible to fast-track your way to the top!. Eisenhower, for example, didn't have to start out in state legislature and serve an apprenticeship - he went from Five-Star general to President in no time at all!. In the UK this sort of thing wouldn't be accepted, either by the party machines, or by the electorate!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Wiston Churchill was in the Boer War, as a journalist and solcier!. He was also on the front lines in World War 1, when he tried to save his political career!. He also wanted to lead the British in World War 2 but thankfull the current monarch, George Something stopped him from doing so!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

winston churchill served in the boer war ,Www@QuestionHome@Com