Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Cambridge University Prize Medal, by Peters, Cambridge (Winner of Novices & Freshmens Foils. H. Foss. Christs Coll. 1922.) 50mm., bronze, minor edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine £100-160

Hugh Foss was born in Japan on 13 May 1902, the son of the Rt. Rev. Hugh Foss, a missionary bishop. He was educated at Marlborough College and Christ’s College, Cambridge. In December 1924 he joined the Government Code and Cypher School. During the 1920’s he worked on the early models of the ‘Enigma’ cypher machines. In September 1934 Foss and Oliver Strachey broke the Japanese Naval Attache Cypher and on 8 May 1940 he broke the German Enigma Code - the day was thence known as ‘Foss Day’. At Bletchley Park Foss headed the Japanese Naval Section (Hut 7) during 1942-43. In December 1944 he went to Washington and worked with U.S. Navy Cryptographers on Japanese cyphers. Because of his sandal wearing habit, he was known as the ‘Lend-lease Jesus’. Foss retired from G.C.H.Q. in 1953 and died in St. John’s Town of Dalry, Scotland on 23 December 1971.