Major John Golding 'Chips' Heron, MC., No.5 Commando

[Photo courtesy of his niece Judith Stride].

Awarded the MC for gallant and distinguished service on 27th May 40 at Le Bassee, France whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsets.
At one point they were surrounded by Germans. Chips recalled: " We had two Bren Carriers which were surrounded by Huns in heavily armoured Mark IV tanks. In the end, as soon as it was light, someone knocked off one of their tanks, creating a gap and we all got through the lines."
The citation for his award was rather more informative noting that: Heron volunteered to man the Bren-gun Carriers, which were loaded with ammunition, counter-attacked and broke out through the Germans. It was for this gallant sortie, and for his leadership generally throughout the campaign that Heron, then a Captain, was decorated.