I have my Regimental Journals on DVD and having read some extracts from the War Diary of W.R.Chrystie who was Guardian of the British Embassy Paris, the question I would ask is what happened to the German Embassy in London? “About 15th May, 1940. Asked by the Foreign Office (through the then Ambassador Sir Ronald Campbell) if I would be willing To remain as "Guardian" in charge of the Embassy in the event of France falling to the Germans. My reply-"Yes, with pleasure." 11th June, 1940. His Excellency and the Minister (then Sir Oliver Harvey) and the rest of the staff leave in cars about 7Pm- 12th June, 1940. German Army (part of) arrives in Paris. About mid-day a German Colonel and a guard of about twelve officers and men enter the Embassy gates. Upon which:- Chrystie present. Stand to a attention and salute (I was in civilian dress).I Salute respectfully returned by the German Colonel and officers. Captain of German Guard (in perfect English reading from a list) : "Your name is Chrystie?" I reply : "Yes, sir." Captain of Guard : "You have been left in charge of the British Embassy and as long as you behave yourself no harm will come to you and you will be respected." I reply : "I have behaved myself for many years. I shall endeavour to continue to do so." Everybody stands to attention (including myself). The German officers click heels and salute, I in turn salute. The Germans then leave the Embassy grounds. I should explain here that Abetz knew me and my name because when he was the German Ambassador in Paris for a short term before the war he used to visit our Embassy. About a fortnight later Abetz comes to my lodge at the Embassy gates and addressing me by name says : "There is a book in the Ambassador's library which I want to refer to. I know where to put my hand on it so please allow me to go up to the library and get it." I replied politely, "Your Excellency, I much regret that all the doors in the Embassy have been locked and sealed by the American Embassy authorities and you must therefore apply to them for the keys." This is a complete invention on my part as I have the keys myself. "Very well," said Abetz, "I will go to the American Embassy and will be back shortly." I later asked the American Embassy if Abetz had applied to them for the keys and they said he had but they had given him the `right about.' Sartorial note: Abetz is dressed in plus fours and a cap-quite the English gentleman! At a later date Abetz comes to the Embassy with Goering in uniform, and an escort of twenty officers and men,all armed. Abetz tells me that Goering (giving him his full rank, titles, etc.) wishes to enter the Embassy to look over it with a view to making it his residential H.Q. when in Paris . I give him the same reply as before, that I must refer them to the American Embassy who, as neutrals (as the Americans were then) were looking after our interests and property. Abetz says, "What if we force our way in?" to which I reply, "Your Excellency, over my dead body only." (I do not know how those words came into my mind on the spur of the moment). Goering, Abetz and their escort then leave, saying they are going to the American Embassy. They do not return. One evening later. I am in a nearby bar having my evening aperitif, standing at the counter peacefully reading the evening paper, when the gamon, who was serving drinks at the tables behind me, comes up and says, "Mr Chrystie those three German officers sitting behind you, request you to join them in a drink." I turn round facing them and standing to attention say smilingly, "Gentlemen, do you realize I am an Englishman and an enemy subject?" "Yes," they reply, "that is why we request you please to join us." So I go and sit down with these three German officers and we spend three-quarters of an hour talking together about England, France,etc but not a word about the war. All three of them had been to England; two had been to Oxford and the third had been a salesman at Selfridges, and naturally they all spoke good English. (I had several other experiences of a similar nature, but it would take too long to include them here.) 5th November, 1941 (Guy Fawkes Day) I am interned by the Gestapo (not by the army authorities) at the St. Denis Concentration Camp for keeping Goering and Abetz out of the Embassy. 17th March, 1942 (St. Patrick's Day) Released from the Concentration Camp, having been interned for four months and twenty-one days. I return to the Embassy as "Guardian" again, a pardoned man! (My wife bravely carried on at the Embassy during my absence.) 25th August, 1944. Paris relieved-good! Allied troops march IN, Germans quickmarch OUT. loth November, 1945 . I am decorated with the B .E.M. at Buckingham Palace (friend Corbet present) and am congratulated by His Majesty on my exploit with Goering.”
Just had a look for his BEM online at Kew. It doesn't appear to be listed. FTR it's just "Robert Chrystie, Lodge-Keeper, His Majesty's Embassy at Paris." on p132 of the 3 Jan '45 London Gazette supplement Steve
I was checking here-I wonder if he's not listed because he was a civilian? No rank given in the LG. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Refine Browse Criteria
This Mr. Chrystie was my grandmothers grandfather. Therefore my grate grate grate grandfather. I have some photocopied doc that I will share with you. My Grandmother is still alive and living in Cape Town South Africa.
I did a search a while back at the 9th Lancers site: - 9th/12th Royal Lancers Museum And there is: 9th-Lancers_1950_0026.jpg - 9th/12th Royal Lancers Museum And... Regimental-Histories_1936-1945 Bright_414.jpg - 9th/12th Royal Lancers Museum On W.R.Chrystie there.