Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

52nd Field Battery, 1st Field Regiment, 4th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

January 23rd, 1942

"On November 25th near Sidi Omar his battery was attacked by 28 tanks. For * hour they were subjected to the most intense fire but nevertheless succeeded in destroying 7 tanks and forcing them to withdraw after making two attacks. the conduct of the men of his Battery was exemplary. Major Derry setting them an example of sustained effort of the highest order. At one time when one troop was running short of ammunition and having heavy casualties, he went himself to another troop and drove up a tractor with ammunition. This was hit by a shell on the way. At the end of the action he at once set about re-organizing his Battery in case another attack occurred. The devotion to duty of all ranks of his Battery undoubtedly contributed very greatly in defeating a dangerous situation."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Imperial General Staff, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

January 4th, 1945

"After his capture near MERSA MATRUH on 28 June 1942, Major DERRY was imprisoned at CHIETI (Camp 21). From March to September 1943 he was in charge of the Escape Committee; under his leadership four escape tunnels were completed and were successfully used by escapers when the camp was taken over by the Germans after the Italian Armistice.

On 30 September 1943 between TIVOLI and ROME Major DERRY jumped in daylight from a moving train en route for GERMANY.

In the SALONE area he found 47 Allied escapers and, finding their conditions pitiable, immediately got in touch with the VATICAN. With money he received in response to his appeal he improved conditions for these men, but on 19 November 1943, when the Germans established themselves in the district, he journeyed to ROME himself at great risk in order to obtain advice and more money. Receiving a request that he should stay in ROME and assume control of the Organization to help escapers which was then operating in a small way, he first returned to his previous sphere of activity in order to organize his group of P/W under the Senior N.C.O.

On 2 December 1943 he arrived back in ROME and, under his leadership, this Organization grew steadily, and in April 1944 there was a total of 3,975 Allied P/W receiving assistance. Billets, food, clothes, supplies and funds were made available to ex-Ps/W in the ROME area and through agents it was possible to offer almost the same facilities to thousands of Allied escapers hiding in the country. All requests for assistance were carefully scrutinized and very efficient and careful records were kept of all the assistance, financial and otherwise, which the Organization gave the escapers.

The German authorities became aware of the existence of the Organization as early as January 1944 but, in spite of their efforts to break it up, Major DERRY was able to continue his work until Allied forces entered ROME.

The secret and perilous nature of the Organization, the difficulty of establishing and maintaining contact with agents and escapers, the coordination of the efforts of representatives of the United Nations on behalf of their compatriots called for a leader endowed with the rare qualities of brilliant organizing abilities, unlimited initiative, great tact and a sure and balanced judgment. By the success of his work Major DERRY showed that he had all these qualities."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Brigadier

Awarded on:

May 14th, 1948

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)