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Chalmers-Wright, Fergus Camille Yeatman

Service number:
236640
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Captain
Unit:
Polish Minorities Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government
Awarded on:
December 19th, 1946
"This officer proceeded to FRANCE in September 1942 on a mission for P.W.E. (Political Warfare Executive red.). He was infiltrated through S.O.E. Unfortunately, owning to the breakdown in communication, he was unable fully to carry out his Mission. He left FRANCE on 6th March 1943. After crossing the PYRENEES, he was taken prisoner by the Spanish authorities, and underwent severe hardship in various prisons and internment camps from 8th March until approximately 20th June, 1943. With the assistance of the S.O.E., he managed to leave SPAIN and returned to ENGLAND on 2nd July 1943.

He volunteered in September 1943 to undertake a Mission to FRANCE for the Polish Minorities Section of S.O.E. and was infiltrated into the field via SPAIN as a B.L.O. He entered FRANCE for a second time on 23rd January, 1944 and left on 27th April. During the time he was in FRANCE, he completely reorganised the Polish organisation and personally visited on (...) occasions the operational zone and made the necessary reconnaissance of targets, rendezvous points, etc. He travelled extensively in FRANCE, and his work has resulted in the MONICA Scheme, which was, at the time when he went, problematical, now being placed on a practical and useful basis.

He carried out his duties to the full satisfaction of all (..), and did much to assist the Polish/British interests in the areas concerned. On his return from FRANCE on 27th April, he made a most difficult and dangerous passage over the PYRENEES and was again taken prisoner by the Spanish authorities. His release was arranged and he returned to the U.K. on 28th May, to take up his duties to the Polish Minorities Section. He has volunteered to go over again if this should be necessary,

Recommend, therefore, that this officer should be appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

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