SAERENS, Robert

Rank: 
Company Sergeant Major
Unit / Base: 
4 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
French Fusiliers Marins
Number: 
10828FN41
Honours & Awards: 
Died : 
Thursday, January 22, 2009
CSM Robert Saerens MM
Company Sergeant Major Robert Saerens serving in the French troop of No. 4 Commando was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry, leadership, and example.
 
Recommendation
"CSM Saerens is Troop Sergeant Major of one of the French troops attached to No. 4 Commando. He landed on D Day with a section of K gunners in the seaborn assault on Ouistreham. During this heavy fighting, and in the subsequent battles in the vital Orne bridgehead, the Bois de Bavant and L'Epine, this NCO distinguished himself by his outstanding courage and resolution in the face of heavy enemy resistance and fire. He volunteered for many patrols, the success of which showed the high quality of his leadership and example.
 
On 1 Nov. 44 during the assault on Flushing, CSM Saerens distinguished himself by his outstanding courage and coolness in the battle for this heavily defended port. Throughout he has set a high example to his men, and this example has contributed in no small measure to the firm friendship which has always existed between the French and British troops in their many successful actions together." 
(Recommended by Major Boucher-Myers, approved by Field Marshall Montgomery.)
 
Source
National Archive file ref WO 373/154/796.
 

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.