- SURNAME
Franks
- FORENAME
Brian Foster Morton
- UNIT
2 SAS (Commanding Officer)
- RANK
T/Lieutenant Colonel
- NUMBER
89085
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Order
- PLACE
Normandy 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Army Air Corps
former Middlesex Regiment
born 1910
GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom) (HQ Squadron)
8 Commando
1 SAS (B Squadron) November 1942 (Lt) (Middlesex Yeomanry ?)
3 Commando (2-in-C) 1943
HQ Special Service Brigade (Brigade Major) 1943
2 SAS (2-in-C + C.O.) 1943-45
21 SAS (postwar)
Colonel Commandant SAS
resided Old Vicarage, Sutton, Suffolk
died 1982 (Aged 73)
All Saints Churchyard, Sutton, Suffolk, UK
CITATION:
Military Cross : (Non-SAS) : TERMOLI ITALY 3-7 OCT 43
At TERMOLI between OCT 3rd and 7th Major FRANKS carried out the duties of Brigade Major SS Bde. Throughout the period this officer showed a fine sense of initiative and complete disregard of personal danger. Early on he saw movement in the station and went forward by himself and captured two German soldiers. Later he was continually visiting the most forward troops making any necessary adjustments and exposing himself fearlessly. During the critical counter-attacks period his personal example and steadiness were an example to all ranks did much to save the situation, particularly on the extreme RIGHT, where he personally organised and placed the troops. He was continually leading and encouraging the men and his resolute manner and confidence were a most important factor.
Distinguished Service Order : Lt-Col B.F.M. FRANKS dropped by parachute behind the enemy lines in the VOSGES on 31 Aug in order to organise SAS operations in that area.
In spite of repeated enemy attacks which forced the SAS parties to move continuously, Lt-Col FRANKS succeeded in organising successful operations including the reception and employment of armed jeeps.
Owing to his courage and initiative a large party of uniformed troops were able to operate in a strongly held enemy territory and inflict great damage on the enemy with little or no assistance from local partisans.
The parties successfully withdrew through the lines on 11 Oct, Lt-Ool FRANKS being wounded during the process.
Throughout most of the period the SAS parties were within twenty miles of the front lines in an area constantly patrolled and searched by the enemy. Weather conditions were appalling and prevented regular resupply by air.
By his coolness and cheerfulness throughout a long-drawn out period of danger and hardship, with little food, Lit-Col FRANKS was an inspiration to all under his command without which the men could not have carried on.
At TERMOLI between OCT 3rd and 7th Major FRANKS carried out the duties of Brigade Major SS Bde. Throughout the period this officer showed a fine sense of initiative and complete disregard of personal danger. Early on he saw movement in the station and went forward by himself and captured two German soldiers. Later he was continually visiting the most forward troops making any necessary adjustments and exposing himself fearlessly. During the critical counter-attacks period his personal example and steadiness were an example to all ranks did much to save the situation, particularly on the extreme RIGHT, where he personally organised and placed the troops. He was continually leading and encouraging the men and his resolute manner and confidence were a most important factor.
Distinguished Service Order : Lt-Col B.F.M. FRANKS dropped by parachute behind the enemy lines in the VOSGES on 31 Aug in order to organise SAS operations in that area.
In spite of repeated enemy attacks which forced the SAS parties to move continuously, Lt-Col FRANKS succeeded in organising successful operations including the reception and employment of armed jeeps.
Owing to his courage and initiative a large party of uniformed troops were able to operate in a strongly held enemy territory and inflict great damage on the enemy with little or no assistance from local partisans.
The parties successfully withdrew through the lines on 11 Oct, Lt-Ool FRANKS being wounded during the process.
Throughout most of the period the SAS parties were within twenty miles of the front lines in an area constantly patrolled and searched by the enemy. Weather conditions were appalling and prevented regular resupply by air.
By his coolness and cheerfulness throughout a long-drawn out period of danger and hardship, with little food, Lit-Col FRANKS was an inspiration to all under his command without which the men could not have carried on.
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/272786889/brian-foster_morton-franksNATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7349053 (MC)https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9141850 (DSO)
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