Ivan Ewart

Sir William Ivan Cecil Ewart, 6th Baronet, DSC (18 July 1919 – 29 November 1995) was a decorated Northern Irish naval officer, businessman and charity worker. He succeeded his cousin as baronet in 1959. Early years Sir Ivan was the son of Major William Basil Ewart (the son of Oxford educated barrister F. W. Ewart) and Rebe Annette Grindle. Born into an Irish family of linen industrialists, their firm employed over 2,500 people, making it one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of Irish linen in the western world. Born at Derryvolgie House, Lisburn, where he resided until 1970, he was educated at Radley. He took over the running of the family business after the war. Families such as the Ewarts were referred to colloquially as the "Linenocracy" or "Linen barons." War years Sir Ivan served during the Second World War as Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He served on a Motor Torpedo Boat which he commanded which on 17 January 1942 this came under German fire and, in the ensuing explosions etc., He lost an eye and severely injured his right arm. He was, distinctively, to wear an eye patch for the rest of his life.