Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Diplomatic Service C.M.G. and North West Europe ‘Battle of Hechtel’ Immediate M.C. group of seven awarded to Captain D. N. Brinson, Welsh Guards

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with full neck cravat in its Spink & Son Ltd case of issue; Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. D. N. Brinson. W.G.) the last six mounted as worn, very fine or better (7) £1800-2200

C.M.G. London Gazette 2 June 1973.

M.C. London Gazette 1 March 1945.

The recommendation for an Immediate M.C. states:

‘W/Lt. Derek Nielson Brinson, 1st Bn Welsh Guards, 32 Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 30 Corps.

During the attack by No 4 Coy. on HECHTEL on 12 Sep 44, the advance was held up by an S.P. gun on the main road North of the cross roads in the village, which knocked out two Sherman tanks of the 11th Armd Div. who were following up along the road running N and S. Lieut BRINSON was in command of the reserve platoon while the two leading platoons were pinned by Spandau fire beyond and to the W of the X-rds. Lieut BRINSON asked permission to stalk the S.P. gun with the P.I.A.T. group from his Platoon. His group passed through the right leading Pl., under fire, and made its way through several houses, which had not yet been cleared of enemy, to within 20 yds. of the S.P. gun.

Lieut BRINSON placed the P.I.A.T. in position, and standing up in the open, gave orders to his group and observed their fire. Two direct hits were obtained on the hull, one of which penetrated to the inside of the vehicle. The latter was not immobilised but the crew abandoned it immediately, and ten minutes later the Coy. was able to advance up to and beyond the gun so that it never had the chance to fire again. Throughout the day he showed utter disregard of his own safety as well as cool judgement in the handling of his platoon.’

The battle for the liberation of Hechtel was fought by the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Welsh Guards, with heavy losses on both sides. The first attack was launched on 7 September 1944, and Hechtel was finally liberated on 12 September after five days of ferocious fighting. The Welsh Guards lost 62 men in the battle for Hechtel and 35 civilians were killed, including 11 who were executed by the Germans on suspicion of being collaborators. The Corps Commander, General Sir R. N. O’Connor, said afterwards when he came with the Divisional Commander and the Brigadier to congratulate the Welsh Guards Group: “It is one thing to gain ground, but it is quite another to destroy a complete enemy battalion.”

Derek Nielson Brinson was born on 23 June 1921, second son of H. N. Brinson, D.S.O., O.B.E. He was educated at Bradfield College, and Hertford College, Oxford, and served in the Welsh Guards, 1941-46; joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1949; Second Secretary, Rome, 1951; Foreign Office 1953; 1st Secretary 1954; 1st Secretary and Head of Chancery, Saigon, 1957 (acted as Chargé d’Affaires, 1958 and 1959); 1st Secretary, later Head of Chancery, UK Delegations Nuclear Tests, Laos, and Disarmament Conferences Geneva, 1960-64; Foreign Office 1964; Counsellor and Head of Chancery, Caracas, 1965 (acted as Chargé d’Affaires), 1968; Head of Guidance Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1969-70; Head of Guidance and Information Policy Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1970-74. He died on 28 December 1974.