Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was landed in France by sea on the 22nd March 1942 with a propaganda and intelligence mission in southern France and for five days after his arrival he was unable to make contact with the organiser who was to have received him. By his ability and diplomacy he obtained an important position in the "Secoura National" in the Rhone department which gave him excellent facilities for carrying out his task. He travelled a great deal, and spent some time at Vichy, whence he sent important information to London by W/t.
Persuaded by the Gestapo, he was eventually arrested in June 1943 and stood to severe interrogation and brutal treatment with outstanding courage and coolness. He escaped from prison in July 1943, and returned to England via Spain. He volunteered for further work in France, and left by air in November 1943. He was arrested soon after his arrival and imprisoned at Fresnes where he suffered torture without giving away the names of any of his accomplices.
This officer showed outstanding courage in volunteering to return to France although well-known to the Gestapo.
It is recommended that he be appointed a Member of the order of the British Empire (Military Division)."
Signed: Colin Gubbins, Major-General. 20.7.45.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

January 16th, 1946

Citation:
"This British officer volunteered for special missions in occupied territory and landed on the coast of south-west France on 22 March 1942 having made the voyage by felouca via Gibraltar. Due to the fact he did not was able to contact the organisation who was supposed to receive him, he wandered for five days in the fields without food. Thanks to his cold bloodedness, his aptitude and his cleverness, he managed to nominate himself for an important position with a state organisation and with this title he managed to make numerous important travels in the south-west region of France and a stay in Vichy where he transmitted useful information.
He was searched by the Gestapo, arrested and lengthly interrogated and tortured, refused to talk and managed to escape and reached Britain.
Again he volunteered for a mission in France and he was brought by Lysander but arrested immdiately after his arrival and was incarcareated at Fresned and tortured. He stood up to the sufferering and did not provide a single indiction about the organisation of the resistace to the enemy, and thus proved to have remarkable courage and self-sacrifice. At the time of the Allied landings he was deported to Germany."
Paris 16 January 1946. Signed: de GAULLE

With Palm.