Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

Recommendation:
“On 4th December 1941, ten days after his capture at Sisi Rezegh, Cpl. Vivier and another N.C.O. crawled under the wire surrounding Benghazi Camp. They made their way to Mechili but were recaptured by an Italian Patrol. Because he was a P.O.W. at Chiavari (Camp 52) at the time of the Italian Armistice, Cpl. Vivier came into German hands. However, when employed on a ration fatigue on 9th Sept. 1943, he and another P.O.W. eluded the guards. After staying in the hills for six weeks they moved south-east to Sesta, where they were advised to wait for the allies. At the end of December, when attempting to reach the fighting area, Cpl. Vivier was again taken prisoner.
Although he has been badly treated by his captors, he and six others escaped from Florence Gaol on 16th January 1944, after removing a bar from one of the cell windows and climbing over a high wall using a blanket rope. For a month they stayed near Camerino, and then joined a Partisan Group at Copogna. One of the band betrayed the location of their H.Q. and Cpl. Vivier was amongst those captured on 11th March 1944.
Although their first plans to escape were frustrated by a disloyal Italian, Cpl. Vivier and an officer arranged a mass break-out. This officer speaks highly of Vivier’s resourcefulness, courage, and behaviour whilst in gaol and during the escape. On 29th April 1944, after an air-raid alarm, the guards were attacked with sandbags fashioned from some of the prisoner’s clothing, and the P.O.Ws made good their escape. Separated from his companions by an encounter with Germans, Cpl. Vivier proceeded alone to Tuscany, where he joined a small rebel band, later becoming their leader. At the beginning of June, moving to Montesan Savino, he formed another group, whose work included the distribution of food, and harassing the German retreat. On 4th July 1944, a South African unit was encountered.
Cpl Vivier’s leadership and courage throughout his Partisan activities have been praised by another escaper who served with him."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)