Date of birth:

April 3rd, 1918

Date of death:

2014

Service number:

316852

Nationality:

French

aka Robert Charles Ritchie

Robert Periot who adopted the war-time name Robert Ritchie, served with Special Operations Executive during WW2. During the liberation of France he trained for one man sub operations. After the dropping of the atomic bomb he was sent to join HMS ANSON which was on its way to Singapore. Along with five other officers and men it was their job to take over the POW camps to ensure no atrocities were committed. Periot along with two sailors took over the woman and children's camp at Kaitak. After the war he stayed in the British intelligence service with postings in Austria, Germany and Cyprus and retired with the rank of major in 1964. He was then appointed chief interpreter for HQ BAOR a post he held until 1980.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

DF Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was infiltrated into France via Gibraltar and Spain on 17th July 1944. His mission was to act as W/T operator for the southern area escape organisation in France.
During his period in the field he did valuable work on accompanying escapees to the Spanish frontier, listening for messages from Headquarters and working in co-operation woth another operator in the same area. Owing to the rapid advance of the Allied armies his further stay in France was rendered unncessary and he was brought back to this country on Oct. 22nd. 1944.
In view of this officer's keenness and useful work, only short cut by the rapid liberation of France, it is recommended that he be Mentioned in Despatches."

• - Recommendation for Award for Periot, Robert Marcel Charles Rank: Lieutenant ... | The National Archives
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