• Operation Albumen I (1942)
• Operation Albumen II (1943)
• Special Operations Executive (SOE)

Date of birth:

October 3rd, 1897 (Kensington/London, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

August 23rd, 1963 (Regent's Park/London, United Kingdom)

Nationality:

British

Charles Hambro was born into a wealthy banking family with Danish-Jewish roots. He served with distinction in World War I, earning the Military Cross for bravery. After the war, he joined his family's bank and played a key role in its expansion and merger, later becoming a director at the Bank of England at just 30 years old.

During World War II, Hambro led covert operations in Scandinavia, forging connections with resistance movements and earning a knighthood for his work. He joined the Special Operations Executive in 1940 and became its chief in 1942, contributing to strategic sabotage missions like those targeting Norway's heavy water production. However, a dispute over Middle East operations led to his resignation in 1943.

He then headed the British raw materials mission in Washington, which covertly facilitated technological collaboration between the UK and the US—efforts that fed into the Manhattan Project. After the war, he returned to banking, eventually becoming chairman of Hambros Bank in 1961, expanding its reach into Africa and Asia.

Military career:
- 22 December 1915 – Commissioned as Ensign in the Coldstream Guards
- 9 June 1916 (backdated) – Promoted to Lieutenant
- 12 August 1919 – Resigned commission, received a regular reserve commission
- 1940 – Became Colonel on the General Staff
- 1942 – Appointed Deputy Leader of SOE, then promoted to Air Commodore
- 1942 – Became Executive Head of SOE, succeeding Frank Nelson

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1917

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Accompanied by a private, he crossed to the enemy's side of a canal and rescued two wounded men, one of whom was unable to walk, from close under the enemy's parapet. Later in the day, he went forward in charge of the leading patrol of an advance, personally accounting for four of the enemy with his revolver and capturing several prisoners with his party. On reaching his objective, he sent back correct and valuable information, and has at all times displayed the utmost coolness and gallantry."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Director

Unit:

Hambro's Bank Ltd.

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1941

• - The London Gazette 1918
  - The London Gazette 1941