Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 393

An extremely rare S.O.E. 'Force 133' clandestine operations M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant, later Captain G. A. E. Hanson, Royal Signals, the only S.O.E. operative to work on the Island of Naxos for a period of 8 months, where the 650-strong German garrison carried out a relentless round of searches: attired in civilian clothes, and working in a theatre of war where enemy reprisals were swift, brutal and commonplace, the thought of capture was not a topic to dwell upon

Hanson was subsequently commissioned and appears to have operated 'in the shadows' of the Security Services for the remainder of his career

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14413586 L. Sjt. G. A. Hanson, R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted court-style for display, extremely fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1945. The original recommendation - for a D.C.M., written by Lieutenant-Colonel Count Julian A. Dobrski, O.B.E., M.C., alias Lieutenant-Colonel Julian A. Dolbey, C.O. of Force 133’s H.Q. in Cairo - states:

‘Lance-Sergeant Hanson was infiltrated by sea to the Island of Naxos in the Cyclades on 29 April 1944, where he remained until he returned to the Middle East on 2 January 1945. For a consecutive period of eight months he undertook the duties of wireless operator on a particularly hazardous, difficult and arduous operation on Naxos island.

As the only Englishman on the Island, he worked amongst unfamiliar people and amidst strange surroundings, showing an adaptability to circumstances which was of paramount importance to the success of the operation. Moreover, until the surrender of the German garrison in October 1944, he operated his set behind the enemy’s lines while dressed in civilian clothes. Faced as he was by continual danger and privitation, he displayed at all times a courage, initiative and endurance which emphasised his moral qualities as a soldier.

His tasks were threefold. Not only was he responsible for helping the leader to organise a resistance group of patriotic civilians to fight the Germans, and to organise sabotage of the enemy’s lines of communication, base installations and supply vessels, but in addition it was his duty to transmit to H.Q. the intelligence he received so that the garrison would be constantly exposed to aggression by land, sea and air forces.

In spite of periods of sudden and prolonged movement, or of monotonous lying in hiding, necessitated by the persistence and relentlessness of the German search parties, these tasks were undertaken and perservered with until they were concluded.

Not only does the final subjection and surrender of the enemy on the Island bear obvious testimony to the efficiency and accuracy of his work, but it was entirely due to his liaison with his leader and the extremely high standard of his wireless communication with H.Q. that this result was possible.

For the courage, devotion to duty and unfailing adaptability which he displayed in circumstances of continuous hardship and danger, it is most strongly recommended that Lance-Sergeant Hanson be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.’

Recommended for a 'Greek Award equivalent to D.C.M.' on 28 November 1946, also by Dobrski.

George Arthur Eldricke Hanson was, according to his death certificate, born in Sweden in June 1921. This is the first of a chain of inconsistencies in his life which suggests a greater service in the 'dark arts'. Nonetheless, Hanson served with the Royal Signals and later the Special Operations Executive with distinction in the Cyclades. He clearly undertook specialist training for his operations, for his 'Wings' are visible upon his uniform. Interestingly, Dobrski’s wartime papers and correspondence now reside in the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives at King’s College, London, documentation that might well throw further light on Hanson’s gallant activities on Naxos. Dobrski himself was just as colourful a character as some of the missions that the operatives of Force 133, including Hanson, completed in the Aegean from 1942-45. Born and educated on the continent, he had been a Managing Director of a textiles business before joining the Special Operations Executive in September 1940. Having been a recruiting officer for agents to serve in Italy, he served attached to the Royal Navy at Milford Haven (Special Sabotage Unit) before being a training officer for operations in Italy. His crowning glory was his command of Force 133, before returning to his textiles business post-war.

Following the cessation of hostilities Hanson was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps on 7 May 1947, having passed 18 Cadet Course at Kakul. Having been promoted Captain by October 1950, a family member gives further insight:

'Arthur was born near Dewsbury West Yorkshire in 1921, on leaving Normanton Grammar School he went to work in the offices at the Yorkshire Copper Works in Leeds, at the beginning of the War he joined the Royal Signals. I acquired from the National Archives a copy of the reason he was awarded the Military Medal. He was on the island of Naxos in 1944 which was occupied by the Germans, he was a wireless operator. I understand he was also in North Africa as my grandmother had a photo of him shaking hands with Earl Mountbatten and I believe he also met General Montgomery.

He was promoted to Captain but I'm not sure when that was, on leaving the Army after the War he joined the Metropolitan Police but was very disillusioned with the Police Force and he joined the Secret Service, not sure if it was MI5 or 6, he never came back to Yorkshire I don't know if he married or if he had any children. My grandmother told me when she wrote to Arthur she had to send the letters to a lady in London who passed them on to him and when he wrote back he did the same, I was surprised his death certificate stated he was born in Spain [sic] and wondered if this was because of him being in the Security Services.'

Hanson died on 11 March 1993 at 184 Revelstoke Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, with his Death Certificate offering the rather anonymous occupation of 'Prison Officer (retired)'; sold with copied research including one portrait and one group photograph.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£18,000