Blair Mayne

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER & 3 Bars

List of medals & awards

1939-45 Star, Africa Star & 8th Army Bar, Italy Star, France & Germany Star,

Defence Medal, War Medal & Oak Leaf,

Mentioned in Despatches .... 20/2/42 - Litani River, Syria 11(Scottish) Commando.
D.S.O. ... Middle East .... 20/2/42 Rank Lieutenant
1st Bar - Sicily .... 21/10/43 Rank Captain / Temp Major
2nd Bar - Normandy .... 29/3/45 Rank Major / Temp Lt. Colonel
3rd Bar - North West Europe .... 11/10/45 Rank Lt Colonel

Legion D'Honneur & Croix De Guerre with palm

The Blair Mayne Association

Each one of his four citations reached the same conclusions when they described Mayne's qualities of superb, fine and brilliant leadership. They also mentioned his outstanding gallantry and great courage. The D.S.O. ranks just slightly lower in stature than the Victoria Cross and to gain that prestigious award while holding the junior rank of Lieutenant made it an even more significant acheivment. Only seven other men were to be awarded three bars to the D.S.O. The French people and their Government held Blair Mayne in very high esteem for his gallant and fearless conduct in helping to free their country from the Germans. They honoured him with the award of The Legion D'Honneur & Croix De Guerre on 5th March 1946 for his services. Those two great honours made him one of the most highly decorated Allied soldiers at the end of World War 2.

More than sixty years on many people, including 100 Members of Parliment from all sides of the house, still feel very strongly that despite all his great war time achievments he was treated very badly and should have been granted the award that he was originally cited for at Oldenburg, The Victoria Cross.

Brig. Mike Calvert - Commander SAS Troops
Maj.Gen C. Vokes - GOC 4th Canadian Armoured Division

Lt.Gen G. Simonds - Commander 2nd Canadian Corp

Surely these three senior officers were not wrong to sign the citation ?

Pictured below is part of the citation clearly showing the letters VC crossed out.