Tommy Macpherson had a 'good' war - a member of the Cameron Highlanders he joined 11(Scottish) Commando and saw action with them at the Litani River, later involved in a recce for the Keye's raid on Rommel's HQ he was captured and was a POW first with the Italians and then with the Germans - he escaped and made a 'home run' via Sweden. Soon after his return he was seconded to SOE and became a Jedburgh - he was team leader of Team Quinine whose other members were Sgt Arthur Brown and Lt (Prince) Louis de Bourbon-Parma, Quinine was one of the teams that deployed from Blida in North Africa. On landing one of the reception committe was heard to say 'here's a French officer and he's brought his wife' - being a good Jock Tommy had jumped in his Cameron Kilt! He was involved in the surrender of the Elster column in which some 30,000 Germans surrendered to a small American contingent having been contained by the resistance. His team was also involved in delaying the move of the SS Das Reich Divsion. After France he was deployed to Italy with Arthur Brown as his WTO, he was involved in operations in the NE of Italy - his mission involved denying Trieste to the Yugoslavs. After WWII he was part of the SOE contingent who served with 21 SAS and he rose to be Colonel of the London Scottish as well as being a very successful businessman. I belive he is the most highly decorated WWII vet - 3 MCs 3 Croix de Guerre, Legion d'Honeur and a Papal Knighthood. The book is published by Mainstream, £17.99, ISBN 978-1-84596-636-2
This is also a good article to back up your post. Interview Tommy Macpherson, Britain's most decorated former soldier - Scotland on Sunday There are still so many unsung heroes out there. Regards Tom
I think that Brigadier Alastair Stevenson Pearson CB, DSO & Three Bars, OBE, MC, TD (1915 – 1995) was the most decorated soldier of the last war. 4 DSO's and a MC are testament to Scotland's most outstanding soldiers. Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Three Bars Officer of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Territorial Decoration
