Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Military Intelligence Section 9 (MI9), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), War Office, British Government

Count LE GRELLE worked for an Escape Organisation for seven and a half months, and during that time rendered invaluable service to the Allied Cause.

The Line was badly penetrated by the Gestapo early in 1943 and some of its principle members were arrested. Count LE GRELLE was sent to FRANCE at the end of May with the mission of helping to re-organise the evacuation of Allied Service personnel, and in particular of looking after the PARIS sector. His task there was as varied as it was complicated. He had to plan the arrival of evaders from BRUSSELS and from the French provinces, and their departure for SPAIN via BORDEAUX. It was his responsability to arrange for the lodging, clothing and feeding of evaders in Paris, toe ensure their security, to interrogate them on their identities, to provide them with false papers and to get them photographed.
He had to organise a system of intelligence whereby he learned of the change in the controls on trains, and of all matters which the Germans instigated at short notice to prevent just such work as he himself was engaged on.

From shortly after his arrival until his arrest on 12th January 1944, Count LE GRELLE handled a very large number of evaders in the PARIS area, at a time when, through the intensified programs of bombardment, there were far more casualties than ever before, and it was thanks to his superb organising ability that PARIS, the vital link in the chain BRUSSELS - SPAIN, was able to function so effectively.

After his arrest Count LE GRELLE was tortured by the Germans and sentenced to death and sent to Germany where he passed through many prisons. He returned to BELGIUM on 8th June 1945.

Count LE GRELLE showed at all timed outstanding courage and resource. It is entirely due to his untiring efforts that large numbers of Allied evaders and ** were able to regain their freedom."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 19th, 1949

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 10th, 1951