Autumn 2006 issue

Hugh Arnold, Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur

Hugh and Pam Arnold

In March of this year Hugh Arnold, a Weston Green resident, was awarded the distinction of “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”. This is the highest order the French government awards its own and foreign citizens. This distinguished honour came 64 years late! In 1942 Hugh had been serving as a Sub-lieutenant on motor torpedo boats but was sent to Falmouth to join a Motor Launch (ML) whilst awaiting repair of his boat, which had been damaged in action. Motor launches were used mainly for minesweeping but, soon after arriving in Falmouth, it quickly became evident that the next mission would be quite different. The “master plan” would involve ramming the HMS Campbeltown, filled with delay-activated explosives, into the enormous dock at Saint Nazaire that was of great strategic importance to the Germans in the context of the Battle of the Atlantic. The delay- activated explosives would allow the crew a couple of hours in which to get ashore. A total of sixteen ML’s were to be involved in the raid, and they were tasked with picking up the crew of the Campbeltown and then deploying commandos to destroy various targets in the area. Hugh recalls that the men felt quite relaxed about the mission – they all accepted that there was a job that had to be done. Hugh didn’t even tell his parents that he was going on such an important and dangerous operation!

The success of “Operation Chariot”, as it was named, was crucial. The German U-Boat raids on transatlantic shipping were threatening Britain. Supplies of food and arms were being disrupted and there would be extremely serious consequences if this were allowed to continue. The raid, however, did not go entirely to plan. HMS Campbeltown did not explode at the desired time and this meant that the heavily-defended jetty prevented the land commandos from going ashore, and Hugh’s ML was attacked. Three men on board were killed and many more injured, including Hugh, who still has shrapnel in his leg. The ML was extremely vulnerable whilst it was desperately trying to direct fire which would destroy searchlights. On the following morning, much to everyone’s relief, HMS Campbeltown exploded and the dock was completely destroyed. In terms of achievement, the mission was a success but, out of the 611 troops who took part, 169 were killed and 200 were taken prisoner. Only 242 returned to British shores immediately after the raid.

Hugh was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action in St Nazaire. He went on to serve on MTB 621 patrolling the beaches and defending troops after the D-Day landings. This is where Hugh had a very lucky escape. A bullet passed through his elbow, piercing his jacket. Miraculously, the bullet missed his body! A severed ulnar nerve has meant that he has been unable to straighten his arm ever since. This did not deter this stalwart gentleman from playing both rugby and cricket after the war. More recently Hugh has played golf on a regular basis.

I have known Hugh for some twenty years. He and his wife Pam are cherished friends and neighbours. You would think that Hugh, a man of such distinguished honours, who has served his country so highly and achieved so very much could be forgiven for the occasional spate of boasting – not so! It was not until quite recently that my husband and I became aware of Hugh’s distinguished past. It was a chance remark that prompted us to question him about his wartime activities, and, even then, it was with reluctance that the whole remarkable tale was revealed.

There are many men who like Hugh, have given so much in the defence of their country and our liberty. We owe them all so much. I stand in awe of their courage, determination, and humility.

Thank you Hugh – and many congratulations!

Tannia Shipley.