Major D.G. (Dennis) Francis
6th/8th Gurkha Rifles and Detachment 101
6th/8th Gurkha Rifles.
Major B.K. Tambay, Adjutant, Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirshaw, Commanding Officer, Major J, H. Mingail, 2nd-in-command, Major D.G. Francis, Qtr. master
Major B.K. Tambay, Adjutant, Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirshaw, Commanding Officer, Major J, H. Mingail, 2nd-in-command, Major D.G. Francis, Qtr. master
Seated:- Lt. Prithipal Singh, Sub. Ramsingh Thapa, Major B.K. Temby, Sub-Major Dewansing Ghale, Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirsbaw, Major J.H. Mingail, Sub. Ranbahadur Thapa, Major D.G. Francis, Sub. Kaboolsingh Khattri.
2nd Row:- Jem. Manbir Thapa, Sub. Lokbahadur Gurung, Sub. Manu Pun, Sub. Shamshersing Thapa, Sub. Tekbahadur Pun, Sub. Birbahadur Thapa, Jem. Kharam Ghale, Jem. H.C. Rajindra Chand, Sub. Gangbahadur Thapa. 3rd Row:- Hav. Jagbir Thapa, CHM Dhanbahadur Gurung, CHM Bahadur Mall, Edn. Jem. Sardarilal Sharma, Jem. Hombahadur Rana, Jem. Juthare Gurung, Jem. (Adjt.) Ransingh Gurung, BHM Teka Gurung, CHM Manibhagta Pun, CQMH Gore Thapa, CHM Jamansing Gurung. 4th Row:- CQMH Indrabahadur Pun, 7275 CQMH Manbahadur Gurung, CHM Jaharsing Gurung, CQMH Rajendra Chetti, CQMH Bhadrabahadur Pun, CQMH Lelbahadur Pun. Taken at Lucknow. |
Detachment 101 Dennis Francis (2nd Left)
Capt. Patrick (Red) Maddox (in middle) |
Detachment 101 was a joint British/US clandestine guerrilla warfare operation.
Major Francis was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the American Legion of Merit. He is mentioned in two books that we know of, an account of which can be read on the ABL website here and the other on (page 8) of this forces magazine website. |
Decorations Conferred by the President of the United States of America Legion of Merit, Degree of Legionnaire
Capt. (Temp.) Dennis Gregory Francis (I.E.C. 4398) ex Indian Army Supplement to the London Gazette Tuesday 16th Nov. 1948 Issue No. 38459 page No.6060 Friday 19th Nov. 1948 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6065 |
Reference letter from
Lt.-Col. J.D. Nadirshaw Comd. 6/8th Gurkha Rifles |
Citation for the Legion of Merit, signed by Harry Truman at The White House, Washington
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These baptism and birth certificates are treasures but also reminders that four of his family died on the trek. His parents Joseph Aloysius (Joe) and Mildred (Milly), his elder sister Theresa (Terry) who was 29 and his brother Ronnie just 15 years old.
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"OSS Detachment 101 operated in Burma and pioneered the art of unconventional warfare. It was the first unit of the United States to deploy a large guerrilla army deep in enemy territory. OSS Detachment 101 has been credited with the highest kill/loss ratio for any infantry-type unit in the military history of the United States and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation."
The following OSS Detachment 101 Officers also received the United States of America Legion of Merit:-
Decorations Conferred by the President of the United States of America Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer
Major Patrick Reginald Maddox M.C. (458) Burma Levies
Supplement to the London Gazette Tuesday 16th Nov. 1948 Issue No. 38459 page No.6059 Friday 19th Nov. 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6065
Decorations Conferred by the President of the United States of America Legion of Merit, Degree of Legionnaire
Capt. (Temp.) Patrick Edward Quinn (I.E.C. 4396) ex Indian Army
Supplement to the London Gazette Tuesday 16th Nov. 1948 Issue No. 38459 page No.6060 Friday 19th Nov. 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6065
Major Patrick Reginald Maddox M.C. (458) Burma Levies
Supplement to the London Gazette Tuesday 16th Nov. 1948 Issue No. 38459 page No.6059 Friday 19th Nov. 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6065
Decorations Conferred by the President of the United States of America Legion of Merit, Degree of Legionnaire
Capt. (Temp.) Patrick Edward Quinn (I.E.C. 4396) ex Indian Army
Supplement to the London Gazette Tuesday 16th Nov. 1948 Issue No. 38459 page No.6060 Friday 19th Nov. 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38459/supplement/6065