Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Adjudant (Ensign)

Unit:

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

Citation:
"Adjudant Francou was dropped into Belgium by parachute on 22nd May 1943, to locate suitable parachute reception grounds in the Ardennes, to organise reception committees and to organise and instruct military sabotage cells.

He soon organised three groups for military sabotage and fully instructed these groups in the handling of explosives and arms. At the same time, he formed a Military Information Service which kept him informed of troop movements, etc. In all these activities he showed trmendous keenness and leadership.

He was twice arrested. The first time he had to undergo two days of lengthy and brutal inerrogation but escaped by jumping from a train. On the second occasion he was held up by 4 Feldgendarmes who asked to see his identity papers. As he failed to produce any, he was manhandled but in the acuffle, he was able to inflict severe injury on two of them and to break away.

As a result of these two arrests, he received instruction to return to the U.K. and left Belgium on 7 September 1943 by was of France over the Pyrenees into Spain and Gibraltar.
He arrived back in England on 26 Oct. 1943 and was able to supply much useful information on conditions in Belgium and resistance groups.

It is recommended that Adjudant Francou be awarded the Military Medal."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
15.5.45

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1946