| Citation: Advance Base (British Forces) Belgium. Sept 1952 to Jan 1954. Provost Sergeant 6 Section 103 Pro Coy. Citation for BEM: Sergeant MATTHEWS has commanded No 6 Section 103 Provost Company since its arrival in the Advanced Base, Belgium in September 1952. Being detached from his Company he has had to rely largely on his own initiative; this he has done with outstanding success. his co0operation with the Belgian Gendamerie and Police has been excellent from the first: this has played a considerable part in preventing untoward "incidents" thus furthering our good relations with the local population. He has used his small resources over a wide area to the best advantage with a marked effect on this discipline of the troops. In spite of the extent of the area he very quickly came to know it intimately and has acted as guide without hitch or mistake during a number of tours by important visitors notably Canadian and Allied Senior Officers, members of the Government and Parliament, including the Under Secretaries of State in the Ministries of Defence and War, the Press and British Senior Officers including the Quartermaster General and the Commander- in-Chief, Northern Army Group. He has had to contend with considerable administrative difficulties owning to lack of accommodation which for many months had to be improvised; these difficulties he has overcome cheerfully and efficiently and has, in spite of them, maintained a very high state of morale in his section. His duties have been more onerous and more varied than would normally be expected of an NCO in his position; he has carried them out in a highly meritorious manner.
Maj C W Brooke OC 103 Pro Coy. Col. Emblem, Belgium. Maj Gen Commander Rhine Area. C in C HQ Northern Army Group. National Archive WO 373/162. |
