His father was a descendant of the Pole Baronets of Shute House, and served as Member of Parliament for East Cornwall.

[4] As such he was in command of the brigade during the Battle of Modder River on 28 November 1899.

In February 1900 he was appointed in command of the Guards Brigade,[5] shortly before the Relief of Kimberley.

[10] On 19 February 1901 Pole-Carew married Lady Beatrice Frances Elizabeth Butler, daughter of James Butler, 3rd Marquess of Ormonde, in the Guards Chapel, Knightsbridge.

[11] They had two sons, the elder of whom was Sir John Carew Pole, 12th Baronet, and two daughters.