| Citation: | Italy. Citation for Bronze Star Medal: RICHARD CHARLES LOUIS LIMBERT, 291650, Captain, General List, British Army, for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in Italy from February to December 1944. Captain Limbert, as an experienced police officer, was placed in charge of the evacuation, care and organization of the masses of refugees pouring through communes newly liberated by the United States Fifth Army. First at Sessa Arunea, where he cared for 7,000 refugees in the refugee centre established there, and later at Venafro, Captain Limbert set up and supervised a chain of refugee posts which served to clear strategic highways and road networks of refugee traffic. His cool courage in the face of danger several times acted to prevent serious disturbances among the distraught civilians, as in the case of the bombing of Venafro, where Captain Limbert assisted in calming 300 panic stricken refugees. Refugee centres also were set up at Ausonia, Lenola, Vetralla, Ponsacco and other small towns. Following the liberation of Florence, Captain Limbert opened a refugee centre, the largest attempted on the Italian mainland, where 16,000 refugees were cared for. Processing as many as 4,900 refugees a day, Captain Limbert opened a hospital to care for the sick, a school for the children and a nursery for babies, as well as a dis-infector, shower bath, club room, theatre, and other facilities to solve rehabilitation and occupation problems of the refugees. His outstanding services are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Allied Nations.National Archive WO 373/148. |
