serviceyears laterwork branch commands death_date death_place birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date nickname placeofburial rank image article_title name
1917 -lrb- uk -rrb- - 1918 -lrb- france -rrb- 1940 - 1946 author french army british army popski 's private army 15 may 1951 bloomsbury , london , england belgium united kingdom distinguished africa star service order military cross croix de guerre the world war i world war ii 30 march 1897 popski wixoe , suffolk , england lieutenant-colonel popski.jpg vladimir peniakoff
 vladimir peniakoff
vladimir peniakoff

lieutenant-colonel vladimir peniakoff dso mc -lrb- russian : Владимир Дмитриевич Пеняков `` vladimir dmitrievich penyakov '' , 30 march 1897 -- 15 may 1951 -rrb- , nicknamed `` popski '' , was the founder and commanding officer of popski 's private army .
