Hi My mother (Ruth Keble) was an ATS officer working for SOE (F Section) in Baker Street HQ, working as a War Room Supervisor. She was one of a small team entrusted with plotting the updates being received from the field agents in France and briefing the High Command on German face deployments and sabotage. In her papers we have a Certificate of Merit, signed by General Eisenhower, recognising her work. I have done a Google search of the image to learn more about who these were awarded to and I can't find one that matches the design. Can anyone shed any light on these certificates? I attach photo of her copy. Thanks Paddy
Hello Paddy, Have you been able to view or obtain a copy of your mother's SOE personal file from The National Archives? There may be mention of the award of said Certificate of Merit in there (maybe). It is a striking design (lightning bolts breaking the chains of occupation) and unlike any other that I have seen. It must be Special Force HQ, and maybe even signals/intelligence within, specific. It is extremely interesting (as no doubt is your mother's wartime and immediate post-war service); thank you very much for posting it up. Good luck with all your searching. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Hi Jim Thanks for your note - funny, I'd not even clocked the chain being broken! I'm yet to go and see my Mother's records, although they have now been released. As well as the mapping duties I know she was also responsible for having a team type-up the index cards of local resistance and SOE connections that were given to the Jedburgh teams going in to Normandy to ensure that they were dealing with bona fide operatives. That is not referenced on this citation. She was also sent to the newly-liberated Vercors to take a deposition regarding the behaviour of two SOE agents for a court martial, so I'll be interested to see if this features at all. Appreciate your interest. I will keep hunting for the provenance of this particular certificate and who it was awarded to. best wishes, Paddy
