George Augustus Frederick William Newby-Robson, known as ‘Derek’, joined the Royal Artillery on 8th November 1939. He was transferred to the Corps of Military Police before moving again to the General Service list and finally landing in the Intelligence Corps on 3rd April 1940.

A talented linguist, he volunteered for SOE and commenced training in Scotland before withdrawing from the course in August 1941, considering that the role was ‘not for him’. As Lieutenant, and occasionally Captain, he served in Signals Intelligence for the remainder of the war.

1945 found him in Germany as a Political Intelligence Officer, before being finally released from service in August 1946. His medals are, from left to right; 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.

Widowed in November 1995, GAFW ‘Derek’ Newby-Robson died in 2004 aged 89, leaving 4 sons.