Date of birth:

November 8th, 1923 (Bordeaux/Gironde, France)

Date of death:

July 7th, 1944

Service number:

297762

Nationality:

French

aka John DANBY, aka Jean DANBY, aka Jean-Marie DEMIRMONT

Jean Renaud-Dandicolle was studying law in 1940 when he joined the Resistance. He became part of André Grandclément's group.
Because Grandclément committed treason and went to work for the Germans, Renaud decided to flee. He was transported to England by a Lysander (flown by Flight Lieutenant Vaughan-Fowler) together with Claude Baissac and received military training. He took on the British identity of John Danby and was recruited by Special Operations Executive.
After his training, he was dropped in the Correze on 28 January 1944 and began organising the resistance and personnel, weapons and ammunition drops. He led several sabotage actions.
On the morning of 8 July 1944, two SS men stormed into the house where he was staying at the time. Dandicolle managed to eliminate both of them but was arrested after a chase of almost two kilometres towards Pierrefitte-en-Cinglais. After a short fight he was captured. He was taken to the Château de la Milvaudière during the night and was said to have been seen the next day, on 9 July, by Madame Vauvert in a German car heading towards Martigny, where the Gestapo had retreated. His body was never found. He was probably summarily executed.

aka John DANBY, aka Jean DANBY, aka Jean-Marie DEMIRMONT

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1946

Citation:
"Capt DANBY joined the Resistance Movement early in 1942. In 1943 he became the assistant of a British organiser in South-West FRANCE.
In August, 1943, he was being sought by the Gestapo, and escaped to England where, after training he was commissioned in the British army and sent back to the Field in January, 1944, to a circuit in NORMANDY.

On one occasion, pursued by the Gestapo, he led to safety two W/T operators and their sets, saved the major part of the parachuted material, and destroyed what could not be moved to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

On the eve of D-Day Capt. DANBY organised a successful reception 600 yards from a German watch post. After D-Day he carried out harassing activities against the enemy, and inspired his men by his fearless leadership in every attack.
On another occasion, surrounded by a German patrol with 40 of his men he kept the enemy at bay for 48 hours, and made a completely successful withdrawal, taking the wounded with him.

On the day of his arrest in July, 1944, Capt. DANBY killed 3 German officer before he was disarmed. Although seriously wounded in the jaw, he made a temporary escape after fighting his guard bare-fisted but was recaptured.

His organiser writes of him: "His courage and his devotion to duty were a by-word in my area. He was a perfect lieutenant, and without his assistance I should not have been able to achieve my mission or organise my circuit.

For his outstanding courage and devotion to uty, it is recommended that Capt. DANBY be awarded the Military Cross."

8th Dec '45.

• - Jean Marie RENAUD-DANDICOLLE, aka John DANBY, aka Jean DANBY, aka Jean-Marie DEMIRMONT -... | The National Archives
  - Recommendation for Award for Danby, J Rank: Captain Regiment: General List... | The National Archives
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37484/supplement/1170
  - https://archives.calvados.fr/
  

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Commonwealth Memorial of the Missing Bayeux

Bayeux - Normandie