Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"Pte Bernaert volunteered to undertake a mission to Belgium. This consisted of creating a sabotage organisation of his own, and awaiting the arrival of a W/T operator. He also undertook to introduce "La Justice", a rumour and publicity campaign, into his region, which was the Province of Antwerp.
Bernaert was parachuted into Belgium on the night of 23rd March 1942. Up to the time of his arrest on 27 July 1942 various communications were received from him. It was not possible at that time to send him a W/T operator. He was executed in Germany on 19 April 1944.
It is recommended that Private Bernaert be awarded a Certificate of Commendation (posthumous)."
Signed: Colin Gubbins, Major-General. 7.6.45.

Changed into a posthumous award of a Mentioned in Despatches