Orders, Decorations and Medals

An unusual Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Corporal Jack Wren, Royal Marines, who, after capture in Crete, escaped from a train in Serbia and served with the Chetnik forces in Jugoslavia before joining the S.O.E. Mission attached to General Mihailovic

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Cpl. Jack Wren, E/X 2083 R.M.) good very fine £500-600

B.E.M. London Gazette 2 January 1945.

Jack Wren was one of four N.C.O.s recommended for an award in this ‘Most Secret’ file (ADM 1/16845) in which the Director of Naval Intelligence notes:

‘The above N.C.O.s were made prisoners in Crete and escaped from a train while passing through Jugo-Slavia. After about a year they joined the S.O.E. mission which was then attached to General Mihailovitch where they remained for 10 months. In these unusual circumstances they conducted themselves with initiative and resource and by their soldier-like bearing maintained the country’s honour. In fact, they acted exactly as some years’ experience of the Corps would have led me to expect. In view of the services rendered by these four N.C.O.s it is for consideration that they should be recommended for decorations or otherwise commended.’

The following group recommendation was submitted to the Honours and Awards Committee: ‘These Marines, after capture in Crete, escaped from a train in Serbia. They were sheltered by peasants and acquired a working knowledge of the language. Later they joined the British Mission, commanded by Colonel Bailey, attached to General Mihailovic where they did good work ciphering and deciphering and were invaluable as Liaison N.C.O.s to the Mission. They were with the Mission 18 months. Their work was invaluable, and the reputation they had with the Serbs was of the greatest propaganda value.’

Jack Wren’s individual recommendation for the B.E.M. (put up for an M.M. but subsequently reduced again to a B.E.M.) states: ‘Corporal Wren was a member of a party of Royal Marines who escaped from a Prison train passing through Jugoslavia during 1941 and serving with the Chetnik Forces until joining the Allied Mission to Gen Mihailovoc Forces on 9 June 1943. He and the other Marines had made a household name for themselves wherever they went, and on return it has been obvious from the demonstrations of friendship that they left goodwill behind them everywhere. Corporal Wren has been most useful to the Mission as an Interpreter. By his personality, cheerfulness and good behaviour he has done much to maintain good relationships between our respective Forces.’

Corporal Wren, and presumably the other three men, was serving with the Mobile Naval Base Defence Organization in Crete (M.N.B.D.O.1). Between them these four N.C.O.s received two B.E.M.s and two Mentions.