Military Provost Staff Corps

unknown year no badge
Soldier Details:
Surname: Harper
Initials:   C.J.
Rank:   Lieutenant Colonel
Army No.:  144395
Notes:   Provost Officer. General List. Initial J in Crozier history. DPM SIB Cairo 41.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)
  1. Decoration:   Mention in Despatches Gazette Date: 1941-12-30 Gazette Issue: 35396 Gazette Page: 7349
Citation:   Middle East Feb-July 1941.
  2. Decoration:   Order of the British Empire Gazette Date: 1943-02-18 Gazette Issue: 35908 Gazette Page: 858
Citation:   Middle East. Citation for the award of the OBE, May-Oct 1942: This officer as head of the Special Investigation Branch in the Middle East has built up the organisation from nothing since the S.I.B's inception approximately 1 1/2 years ago. This Branch consists of some 50 officers, 450 other ranks and 250 native informers and trackers, who cover the whole of the Middle East. During the first ten months of 1942 (1st. Jan - 31st . Oct) the Branch has recovered some £300,000 of W.D. Property. During the month of October 1942 the Branch carried out over 2,500 Investigations including Thefts, Bribery, Assaults, Deaths, Suicides, Morality etc. The efficiency of this Branch is due to this officer's untiring drive, initiative, devotion to duty, powers of organisation, and command of men. His work richly merits reward. Col F C Bryant PM MEF. National Archive WO 373/76