Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Balkans & Middle East Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"Captain VERCOE was dropped by parachute into JUGOSLAVIA in September 1943, as a member of a British Liaison Mission. He was seriously injured on landing and was totally incapacitated. During the following six months and prior to his capture by the enemy, VERCOE displayed a remarkable degree of fortitude in conditions which, especially to a cripple in considerable and constant pain, were rigorous.
Although he could not lead an active life, Capt. VERCOE's contribution to the establishment and maintenance of cordial relations with the Jugoslavs in East SERBIA - a major part of the Mission's task - was outstanding: his courage and spirit commanded the admiration and respect of all Jugoslav officers and men whom he came into contact. He was captured in March, 1944.
Brigadier E.F. DAVIES reports as follows on the period after his capture:-
"I was continually with Captain VERCOE from 16th April, 1944 to 12th January, 1945. From April to September, 1944 we were imprisoned in a concentration camp, a civil jail, a workman's strafe lager, an extermination camp, a military jail and the cells of a Stalag.
Conditions were always rough in the extreme and attitude of the Gestapo and Wehrmacht towards us very threatening. Throughout there seemed very little hope of our survival. For a normal fit man, the conditions would have been very trying. Captain VERCOE, however, was suffering from a disunited fracture of the right femur, with two broken arms which had united but were distorted and painful. I know that he suffered considerable. The Germans gave him no medical or surgical treatment.
Throughout he set a splendid example of fortitude and cheerfulness.
His morale was always excellent and his head held high. On two occasions I overheard Gestapo officers shouting at him in a bullying tone. He remained unmoved, dignified, standing on his crutches smiling, as at a good joke. We all admired his courage. I never once saw him gloomy and depressed. He showed the Germans our best British qualities."
Although Captain VERCOE was prevented from carrying out his military mission as planned, his great galantry and fortitude undoubtedly contributed n and indirect but very valuable way to the Allied Cause, both in JUGOSLAVIA and in their influence upon many British fellow-prisoners during their incarcaration.

In recognition of his fine spirit and his great contribution to morale over nineteen months of desperate difficulty and danger, it is recommended that this British officer be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division).

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
15.9.45.