Barclay, Francis Peter
- Date of birth:
- March 8th, 1909 (Erpingham/Norfolk, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- October 13th, 1992
- Service number:
- 41071
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Francis Peter Barclay attended Twyford School and was on January 31st, 1929 commisioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment.
He was awarded the first Military Cross of World War Two.
After the war he was Chief instructor, School of Infantry, 1950-52, Commander, Parachute Brigade, 1952-54, ADC to the Queen and was made Honorary Colonel of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
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Military Cross (MC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain
- Unit:
- 2nd Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- February 6th, 1940
"Conspicuous gallantry, coolness and resource, when acting as a patrol leader at night. He led his patrol far into enemy lines and secured valuable information regarding his dispositions. In the hope of securing a prisoner he, with one of his men, entered and searched a house which was clearly occupied by enemy. Having found no one, he continued his recce to a nearby embankment. As he returned, the enemy who are believed to have been in the cellar opened fire on the patrol with bombs and S.A.A. The patrol replied vigorously and took cover in a neighbouring ditch, but in so doing lost touch with the other officer of the patrol. Captain Barclay endeavoured yo get in touch with the other officer without result. The enemy having started to work round his flanks, Captain Barclay, having exhausted his ammunition, withdrew his patrol without loss, in spite of enemy bombing and S.A.A. fire from close range. The patrol reached our line some 1200 yards away safely."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 146th Infantry Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- October 19th, 1944
Recommendation:
"On 25 Jun 44, 146 Inf Gde attacked FONTENAY. 4 LINCOLNS were the right fwd Bn of the Bde and H hr was at 0415 hrs. It was known as a result of recce patrols and apis photographs, that the enemy had strongly defended posns. The objectives were difficult to identify in good going owing to the close nature of the country but, on the morning of the attack, there was a dense fog in the area which reduced visibility to a maximum of 5 yds. As a result of good and careful planning and excellent leadership, the Bn fought its way through 3 lines of Boche defences with great skill and reached its allotted objectives. The Bn killed 73 enemy, too 59 prisoners and captured 8 half-tracked vehs, 2 A tk guns, a wireless veh and 6 MC combinations.
It was due to the skill, leadership and personal example of Lt.Col BARCLAY, who showed a complete disregard of personal danger, that this success was achieved. Since this attack, by his personal drive and leadership, Lt.Col BARCLAY and his Bn have continued to dominate the enemy and have caused him considerable casualties"
Originally recommended for a second MC but upgraded to a DSO.
"On 25 Jun 44, 146 Inf Gde attacked FONTENAY. 4 LINCOLNS were the right fwd Bn of the Bde and H hr was at 0415 hrs. It was known as a result of recce patrols and apis photographs, that the enemy had strongly defended posns. The objectives were difficult to identify in good going owing to the close nature of the country but, on the morning of the attack, there was a dense fog in the area which reduced visibility to a maximum of 5 yds. As a result of good and careful planning and excellent leadership, the Bn fought its way through 3 lines of Boche defences with great skill and reached its allotted objectives. The Bn killed 73 enemy, too 59 prisoners and captured 8 half-tracked vehs, 2 A tk guns, a wireless veh and 6 MC combinations.
It was due to the skill, leadership and personal example of Lt.Col BARCLAY, who showed a complete disregard of personal danger, that this success was achieved. Since this attack, by his personal drive and leadership, Lt.Col BARCLAY and his Bn have continued to dominate the enemy and have caused him considerable casualties"
Originally recommended for a second MC but upgraded to a DSO.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 146th Infantry Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- April 4th, 1946
Sources
- - The London Gazette Issue 33462 published on the 1 February 1929
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34785 published on the 2 February 1940
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36753 published on the 17 October 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36753 published on the 17 October 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41861 published on the 3 November 1959
- Copy of the original DSO recommendation- STIWOT-archive
- Miami News, February 20th, 1940
- Twyford School
Photo
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