Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1942

Awarded for:

Operation Albumen

"Captain Duncan, with two other British N.C.O.'s of the Special Boat Section carried out an attack on Kastelli Aerodrome, Crete, on the night of 9/10 June 1942. They left their hideout on the beach at 1900hrs on 6th June and returned at 0530hrs on 13th June after a difficult and hazardous march through enemy occupied territory and a successful attack on their objective.

Their bag amounted to 7 aircraft, 210 - 60 gallon drums of petrol, 6 transport vehicles, 3 bomb dumps and 1 large oil fuel dump. Fires and explosions are also believed to have caused 70 casualties to German personnel on the aerodrome.
The success of the attack was due to the courage, resourcefulness and good leadership of Captain Duncan."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1946

"Capt. DUNCAN was taken prisoner at CATANIA, Sicily on 12 August 1942. Two months later he escaped from CHIETI (Camp 21, Italy). One officer who spoke Italian fluently posed as the Italian Adjutant of the oamp and Capt. DUNCAN and another officer as orderlies taking his luggage to the station. They passed the guards and the party reached the coast on the third night. Unable to find a boat in which they hoped to reach YUGOSLAVIA, they were surrounded and caught whilst they were resting. After they had received their punishment they were sent to GAVI (Camp 5). Although Capt. DUNCAN tried to escape from the train when the occupants of Camp 5 were transferred to Germany in September 1943, he was unsuccessful.

On arrival at a transit camp in Austria Capt. DUNCAN avoided registration and hid for 13 days. With the help of an Australian N. C.O. he and another officer entered the German compound and climbed over the wire after nightfall. Their objective was to join the partisans in YUGOSLAVIA.

After walking for three nights, they found the River DRAU impassable because of the heavy rains. When they tried to oross over a bridge they were caught by an armed guard, and ultimately were sent to Camp 79 (BRUNSWICK).

Whilst a prisoner in Italy, Capt. DUNCAN communicated secretly with the War Office on two occasions."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Awarded on:

March 19th, 1946

"In support of the vital convoy due at Malta from Gibraltar in mid August 1942 a commando raid was planned to destroy Junkers 88 bombers on Catania Aerodrome, Sicily. Three officers and three other ranks landed on the night of August 11th-12th in poor weather conditions on a defended beach.

The party penetrated to the airfield to find armed sentries on every aircraft. After reconnoitering for four hours they were detected but whilst retiring used their explosives to destroy some electric power pylons. During the withdrawal to the beach Sergeant Dunbar was wounded and taken prisoner.

The remaining five were unable to find UNA at the rendezvous and one canoe capsized. They were taken prisoner after daylight some five miles out to sea.

Duncan was in command of this raid which was carried out with great determination and courage. Although the objective was not achieved due to the enemy's exceptional precautions. the boldness and imitative shown are considered most worthy of recognition."

Awarded as bar on the ribbon of the first medal.