Eddy Blondeel
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. (Dent.)
Edouard "Eddy" Blondeel DSO
(January 25, 1906 – May 23, 2000) was the wartime commander of the Belgian 5th SAS
. After the war he was first C.O.
of the 1st Regiment of Parachutists. He retired from the army
in 1947 to work as an engineer with Wiggins Teape
.
on 25 January 1906. He initially studied at the Deutsche Schule in Gent but in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I his parents no longer wanted him to be educated at a German school so he left and went to a Belgian state school which was bilingual (French/Dutch).
In his youth he had excelled at basketball
, fencing
and rowing
and at the age of 13 he had taken up scouting
, which he claimed helped develop his character. Before the Second World War he was appointed Commissioner of Scouts in the Flanders
area of Belgium.
Later he was to study Engineering
at Ghent University
and from these differing environments his linguistic abilities were developed.
He fulfilled his National Service
in an Artillery
Regiment, where he was promoted from private
to sergeant
in under a year.
After his time as a conscript
he set up practice as an engineer, but felt he wanted to be more involved in serving people. In 1934 he decided to study medicine
and specialize in dentistry
. Hard work gained him a diploma with distinctions at the University of Brussels
, and he won a scholarship that enabled him to continue his medical studies at North Western University near Chicago. He subsequently earned a doctorate
in Dentistry.
, Canada, the rallying centre for Belgians living in North America. There he inspired his compatriots with tremendous enthusiasm and fighting spirit as they underwent training with the Canadian Army. In 1942, he was appointed to command the Belgian company that was to embark in June of that year to Britain
. In England his whole unit without exception volunteered to form the Belgian Independent Parachute Company
. The men trained at various locations, including the parachute school at Ringway
(near Manchester
), the airborne centre at Hardwick
and the glider base at Brize Norton
. In 1943, the Belgians underwent a course based at Inverlochy Castle
and completed their training in Scotland with other Paratrooper units. These included the 3rd
and 4th French Parachute Battalions
(the latter commanded by the one armed Commandant Bourgoin) as well as 1st and 2nd (British) SAS
.
As a leader Blondeel proved immensely popular and was blessed with an exceptional memory. He also had a charming, slightly eccentric side. It was said that in the hours before dawn, when his squadron was due to drop behind enemy lines, a light would be seen burning in his hut; there he was found polishing up his Russian verbs in preparation for the link up with Soviet forces.
On August 28, 1944, Blondeel, then a Major, was parachuted into the Ardennes
forest. An advanced party had sent a signal advising against anyone joining them, as the enemy was so thick on the ground. Blondeel, however in typical style insisted on going in view of the speed with which the battle was moving. His leadership and courage inspired the local Maquis
as well as his own men. By a series of highly successful ambushes, Blondeel and the men under his command did much to delay and harass the withdrawal.
In 1944 it was decided that the Belgian SAS Paratroopers were to be kept in reserve. Blondeel believed this would be for some operations in Belgium. That view changed when he was informed by Brigadier
McLeod (Commanding officer of the SAS Brigade) that the Belgian authorities did not want the Belgian SAS to be the first in to Belgium. Blondeel did not understand and visited the Belgian authorities in London to find out why. Brigadier McLeod also found the Belgian government’s stance odd but as a result could now only plan for Belgian drops in France. It was decided a total of 14 squad
s of Belgian parachutists would be dropped in France. Blondeel grew tired of the politics going on in the background and gave an officer called Lt. Renkin a mission to get in contact with the Belgian resistance
. Renkin was dropped in France and passed the frontier into Belgium. When Blondeel heard by radio that he had passed the frontier, he asked Brigadier McLeod, if he could be dropped with some men to join Renkin. When Blondeel pointed out the drop zone on a map the Brigadier's response was 'But, this drop zone is in Belgium'. 'Oh' Blondeel answered nonchalantly 'I hadn’t noticed'. 'OK' the Brigadier replied, 'In that case I didn’t notice either". So Blondeel was dropped with some men in Belgium at Gedinne
. His squad was almost immediately in action with the resistance when he received a message from London stating that 'The Belgian government are not happy' but by that stage the deed had already been done. After the war Blondeel explained that he believed the reasons were largely down to Jean-Baptiste Piron
as he had desperately wanted his Brigade to be the first in Belgium.
Regardless, shortly after this Belgian operation, the Squadron traveled to Brussels
and Blondeel visited home where he saw his wife and two little daughters again for the first time in five years. This he would later recall was his best memory of the war. From December 20–23, 1944 a detachment of armed jeeps under Blondeel’s command reconnoitered in the Marche
area, under the general use of the 29th Armoured Brigade. From December 28 to January 14, 1945 they operated in the same role under the 6th Airborne Division with marked success. It was thanks to Blondeel’s organization and training that the unit adapted so well to a new role and integrated effectively with British troops. He was determined that his Squadron should successfully accomplish any task offered to it.
The Squadron arrested numerous Nazi war criminals, including Joachim von Ribbentrop
(in Hanover
by Belgian SAS Sergeant Jacques Goffinet) and helped in the arrest of the Dönitz
Government in Flensburg
. Just before the German surrender, Blondeel's squadron was operating near Godensholt in Germany when he was ordered to undertake an operation, which could have resulted in heavy casualties. However, just as the patrol was setting out, the order was received to cease all hostilities!
Blondeel called everyone together for a celebration feast and sat down at the piano playing classics and popular war melodies, ending with Auld Lang Syne
. 'We must now face the uncertainties and complexities of peace', he remarked.
due to some politicians' dislike of him) and rival language groups. Before leaving the Army he made sure that his wartime unit was not disbanded, and set up the Belgian SAS Regimental Association, of which he was elected President.
In 1947, Blondeel took up engineering again in a paper company. It was taken over by Wiggins Teape
in 1974 but Blondeel stayed on there and eventually retired in 1981 at the age of 75.
In later years, he continued to serve Belgium in many ways. He was appointed General Commissioner for Scouts
, elected Governor of the Belgian Rotary club
and President of Mars and Mercure (a reserve officers association). He also accepted various visiting academic posts in Canada and the United States.
Perhaps one of Blondeel's greatest achievements was to ensure that the SAS spirit, which he had adopted, should survive the end of hostilities.
Doctor of Dental Surgery
There are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...
Edouard "Eddy" Blondeel DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(January 25, 1906 – May 23, 2000) was the wartime commander of the Belgian 5th SAS
5 SAS
The 5th Special Air Service or 5th SAS was an elite airborne unit during World War II, consisting entirely of Belgian volunteers. It saw action as part of the SAS Brigade in Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Initially trained in sabotage and intelligence gathering,...
. After the war he was first C.O.
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the 1st Regiment of Parachutists. He retired from the army
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
in 1947 to work as an engineer with Wiggins Teape
Arjo Wiggins
Arjo Wiggins is a leading producer of paper products. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and used to be a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but is now owned by Worms & Cie.-History:...
.
Early life
Eddy Blondeel was born in GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
on 25 January 1906. He initially studied at the Deutsche Schule in Gent but in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I his parents no longer wanted him to be educated at a German school so he left and went to a Belgian state school which was bilingual (French/Dutch).
In his youth he had excelled at basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
and rowing
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
and at the age of 13 he had taken up scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
, which he claimed helped develop his character. Before the Second World War he was appointed Commissioner of Scouts in the Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
area of Belgium.
Later he was to study Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
at Ghent University
Ghent University
Ghent University is a Dutch-speaking public university located in Ghent, Belgium. It is one of the larger Flemish universities, consisting of 32,000 students and 7,100 staff members. The current rector is Paul Van Cauwenberge.It was established in 1817 by King William I of the Netherlands...
and from these differing environments his linguistic abilities were developed.
He fulfilled his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in an Artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
Regiment, where he was promoted from private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
to sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in under a year.
After his time as a conscript
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
he set up practice as an engineer, but felt he wanted to be more involved in serving people. In 1934 he decided to study medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and specialize in dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
. Hard work gained him a diploma with distinctions at the University of Brussels
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
, and he won a scholarship that enabled him to continue his medical studies at North Western University near Chicago. He subsequently earned a doctorate
Doctor of Dental Surgery
There are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...
in Dentistry.
World War II
In 1940 he received orders to report to Joliette in QuebecQuebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada, the rallying centre for Belgians living in North America. There he inspired his compatriots with tremendous enthusiasm and fighting spirit as they underwent training with the Canadian Army. In 1942, he was appointed to command the Belgian company that was to embark in June of that year to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In England his whole unit without exception volunteered to form the Belgian Independent Parachute Company
5 SAS
The 5th Special Air Service or 5th SAS was an elite airborne unit during World War II, consisting entirely of Belgian volunteers. It saw action as part of the SAS Brigade in Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Initially trained in sabotage and intelligence gathering,...
. The men trained at various locations, including the parachute school at Ringway
No.1 Parachute Training School RAF
No.1 Parachute Training School RAF is a Royal Air Force training unit that was initially based at RAF Ringway, now Manchester Airport and is currently based at RAF Brize Norton. It was formed at Ringway on 21 June 1940 as the Central Landing School and from 1 October 1940 it was designated as the...
(near Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
), the airborne centre at Hardwick
RAF Hardwick
RAF Hardwick is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located W of Bungay in Norfolk and a similar distance from the A140 main road from Norwich to Ipswich.-Origins:...
and the glider base at Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, about west north-west of London, is the largest station of the Royal Air Force. It is close to the settlements of Brize Norton, Carterton and Witney....
. In 1943, the Belgians underwent a course based at Inverlochy Castle
Inverlochy Castle
Inverlochy Castle is a ruined, 13th-century castle near Fort William, Scotland. The site of two battles, the castle remains largely unchanged since its construction. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland.-History:...
and completed their training in Scotland with other Paratrooper units. These included the 3rd
1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is one of three regiments in the French Army Special Forces Brigade. Based in Bayonne in the local Citadel...
and 4th French Parachute Battalions
1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is one of three regiments in the French Army Special Forces Brigade. Based in Bayonne in the local Citadel...
(the latter commanded by the one armed Commandant Bourgoin) as well as 1st and 2nd (British) SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
.
As a leader Blondeel proved immensely popular and was blessed with an exceptional memory. He also had a charming, slightly eccentric side. It was said that in the hours before dawn, when his squadron was due to drop behind enemy lines, a light would be seen burning in his hut; there he was found polishing up his Russian verbs in preparation for the link up with Soviet forces.
On August 28, 1944, Blondeel, then a Major, was parachuted into the Ardennes
Ardennes
The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
forest. An advanced party had sent a signal advising against anyone joining them, as the enemy was so thick on the ground. Blondeel, however in typical style insisted on going in view of the speed with which the battle was moving. His leadership and courage inspired the local Maquis
Maquis (World War II)
The Maquis were the predominantly rural guerrilla bands of the French Resistance. Initially they were composed of men who had escaped into the mountains to avoid conscription into Vichy France's Service du travail obligatoire to provide forced labour for Germany...
as well as his own men. By a series of highly successful ambushes, Blondeel and the men under his command did much to delay and harass the withdrawal.
In 1944 it was decided that the Belgian SAS Paratroopers were to be kept in reserve. Blondeel believed this would be for some operations in Belgium. That view changed when he was informed by Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
McLeod (Commanding officer of the SAS Brigade) that the Belgian authorities did not want the Belgian SAS to be the first in to Belgium. Blondeel did not understand and visited the Belgian authorities in London to find out why. Brigadier McLeod also found the Belgian government’s stance odd but as a result could now only plan for Belgian drops in France. It was decided a total of 14 squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
s of Belgian parachutists would be dropped in France. Blondeel grew tired of the politics going on in the background and gave an officer called Lt. Renkin a mission to get in contact with the Belgian resistance
Resistance during World War II
Resistance movements during World War II occurred in every occupied country by a variety of means, ranging from non-cooperation, disinformation and propaganda to hiding crashed pilots and even to outright warfare and the recapturing of towns...
. Renkin was dropped in France and passed the frontier into Belgium. When Blondeel heard by radio that he had passed the frontier, he asked Brigadier McLeod, if he could be dropped with some men to join Renkin. When Blondeel pointed out the drop zone on a map the Brigadier's response was 'But, this drop zone is in Belgium'. 'Oh' Blondeel answered nonchalantly 'I hadn’t noticed'. 'OK' the Brigadier replied, 'In that case I didn’t notice either". So Blondeel was dropped with some men in Belgium at Gedinne
Gedinne
Gedinne is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Namur. On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 4,405 inhabitants. The total area is 151.56 km², giving a population density of 29 inhabitants per km²....
. His squad was almost immediately in action with the resistance when he received a message from London stating that 'The Belgian government are not happy' but by that stage the deed had already been done. After the war Blondeel explained that he believed the reasons were largely down to Jean-Baptiste Piron
Jean-Baptiste Piron
Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Piron DSO was the commander of the 1st Belgian Infantry Brigade, also known as the Piron Brigade, which took part in the liberation of Western Europe during the Second World War.After joining the army in 1914, he served in the 2nd Line Regiment until being...
as he had desperately wanted his Brigade to be the first in Belgium.
Regardless, shortly after this Belgian operation, the Squadron traveled to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and Blondeel visited home where he saw his wife and two little daughters again for the first time in five years. This he would later recall was his best memory of the war. From December 20–23, 1944 a detachment of armed jeeps under Blondeel’s command reconnoitered in the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
area, under the general use of the 29th Armoured Brigade. From December 28 to January 14, 1945 they operated in the same role under the 6th Airborne Division with marked success. It was thanks to Blondeel’s organization and training that the unit adapted so well to a new role and integrated effectively with British troops. He was determined that his Squadron should successfully accomplish any task offered to it.
The Squadron arrested numerous Nazi war criminals, including Joachim von Ribbentrop
Joachim von Ribbentrop
Ulrich Friedrich Wilhelm Joachim von Ribbentrop was Foreign Minister of Germany from 1938 until 1945. He was later hanged for war crimes after the Nuremberg Trials.-Early life:...
(in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
by Belgian SAS Sergeant Jacques Goffinet) and helped in the arrest of the Dönitz
Karl Dönitz
Karl Dönitz was a German naval commander during World War II. He started his career in the German Navy during World War I. In 1918, while he was in command of , the submarine was sunk by British forces and Dönitz was taken prisoner...
Government in Flensburg
Flensburg
Flensburg is an independent town in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Flensburg is the centre of the region of Southern Schleswig...
. Just before the German surrender, Blondeel's squadron was operating near Godensholt in Germany when he was ordered to undertake an operation, which could have resulted in heavy casualties. However, just as the patrol was setting out, the order was received to cease all hostilities!
Blondeel called everyone together for a celebration feast and sat down at the piano playing classics and popular war melodies, ending with Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne
"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight...
. 'We must now face the uncertainties and complexities of peace', he remarked.
Later life
Blondeel faced great difficulties in a small country like Belgium, hindered by bureaucracy, politics (it is said he never made the rank of GeneralGeneral
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
due to some politicians' dislike of him) and rival language groups. Before leaving the Army he made sure that his wartime unit was not disbanded, and set up the Belgian SAS Regimental Association, of which he was elected President.
In 1947, Blondeel took up engineering again in a paper company. It was taken over by Wiggins Teape
Arjo Wiggins
Arjo Wiggins is a leading producer of paper products. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and used to be a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but is now owned by Worms & Cie.-History:...
in 1974 but Blondeel stayed on there and eventually retired in 1981 at the age of 75.
In later years, he continued to serve Belgium in many ways. He was appointed General Commissioner for Scouts
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
, elected Governor of the Belgian Rotary club
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
and President of Mars and Mercure (a reserve officers association). He also accepted various visiting academic posts in Canada and the United States.
Perhaps one of Blondeel's greatest achievements was to ensure that the SAS spirit, which he had adopted, should survive the end of hostilities.
Personal life
He married, in 1932, Elza Francisca Van Gorp and they had two daughters. In 2000 he died in Brussels, aged 94.Medals and decorations
| Order of the Crown, Commander grade Order of the Crown (Belgium) The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts... |
|
| Order of Leopold II, Commander grade with palm Order of Leopold II The Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honor of King Léopold II. The decoration was established on 24 August 1900 by Leopold II as king of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system... |
|
| Leopold Order, Officer Grade with palm | |
 |
Belgian War Cross 1940-1945 with palm Croix de guerre The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts... |
| Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-1945 Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-1945 The Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-1945 was a military decoration of Belgium. It was established on 16th February 1945 as a decoration to recognise Belgian servicemen and women who served during World War II... with crossed sabres |
|
 |
Legion d'honneur, Officer Grade Légion d'honneur The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802... |
 |
French Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with palm Croix de guerre The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts... |
| Luxembourg War Cross Luxembourg War Cross The Luxembourg War Cross is a military decoration of Luxembourg which was first created on 17 April 1945 by the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. The War Cross recognizes military service and feats of bravery performed between the years of 1940 and 1945... |
|
 |
Bronze Lion Bronze Lion The Bronze Lion is a high Royal Dutch award, intended for servicemen who have shown extreme bravery and leadership in battle favouring The Netherlands; in some special cases it can however be awarded to Dutch or foreign civilians. It was first created in 1944 and has since been issued 1210 times... (Netherlands) |
 |
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... |
 |
1939-1945 Star |
 |
France and Germany Star France and Germany Star The France and Germany Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany from 6 June 1944 to 8 May 1945... |
 |
Defence Medal |
 |
War Medal 1939-1945 |
| British Parachute Badge | |