Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A W.W.2 group of three medals awarded to Paul Martin Arthur Wegnez, Belgian Military Intelligence Service and the Belgian Resistance

Belgium, Croix de Guerre, ‘L.II’ cypher, with bronze ‘L’ palm on ribbon; Resistance Medal 1940-45; War Commemorative Medal 1940-45, with crossed swords on ribbon, good very fine (3) £200-300

Paul Martin Arthur Wegnez was born in Ixelles on 7 June 1911. Pre-war he was employed as a Policeman. His military service included service in the 2nd Regiment of Lancers, July 1931-August 1932; 2nd Regiment of Lancers (Reserve), May-July 1933; Reserve, September-October 1938. With the occupation of his country he began his service with the Belgian Resistance - serving with Group Brandewijns, January 1941-June 1942, before serving with OMBR (Military Organisation of Belgian Resistance), July 1942-October 1944. For his service in the war he was awarded three medals.

Croix de Guerre, awarded by Decree of the Prince Regent, No. 6360, 10 August 1949. Citation (translation) ‘Member of the Belgian Military Resistance Organisation from July 1942. He recruited members. Distributed the underground press and supplied false documents. Collaborated on accommodation for allied aviators. Arrested 5th May 1944, he faced his interrogators with complete silence, despite the ill-treatment inflicted on him. Freed thanks to the rapid advance of the allied troops.’

With original 1940 travel permit named to ‘Mr Wegnez, Paul, Agent de Police 1033, Ville de Bruxelles’ - bearing a photograph of the recipient in uniform; and with a post-war identity card named to Wegnez as a member of the Belgian Military Intelligence Service (ATHOS) - bearing a photograph of the recipient in civilian dress. Together with copied research, including Ministry of Defence certificate confirming the above awards. Other research indicates the additional award of the Order of Leopold II, 5th Class in 1949.