The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D. A Canadian Hero

Chapter 4: Military Awards and The Polish Medals Controversy

Section 4.3: Polish Military Awards

The M.I.9 Hubert Brooks Debrief Report dated 22^nd March 1945 concludes�

"Brooks was awarded the POLISH CROSS of VALOUR by Major BOROWY for gallantry in the Field, as well as the POLISH SILVER CROSS OF MERIT WITH SWORDS and he holds a certificate to that effect. Free Poland was grateful for his service and the Polish government in exile (London) confirmed the awards. "

"Brooks speaks quite good Polish and is evidently a resourceful, courageous and security minded person. His cover story to the Russians, as reported in the News Chronicle of 22^nd March, was that he had escaped from a German prison camp three days before being over-run by Russians."

(Polish) CROSS OF VALOUR

Awarded for outstanding acts of Military Valour.

The original Polish Certificate is followed below by an English translation of the original and then by a certified English certificate ( who's point will become clear in the next section). A Cross of Valour Identity Card follows.

POLISH SILVER CROSS OF MERIT

Awarded to Civilians, Foreigners and Military personnel, for outstanding service to Poland, for acts of bravery, philanthropy and various other meritorious acts.

Polish Home Army ID Card

Polish Commemorative REGIMENTAL MEDAL

After his death, Hubert Brooks' wife Birthe received on March 25, 1993 from the Polish Government:

1. Commemorative Medal ...... 1st Regiment - Mountain Army Polish Home Army (Resistance)
   
   
2. Certificate (Identity Card) for the above
   
   
3. Polish Resistance Pin (1939-1945)
   
   
4. Polish Home Army Cross (miniature)
   

	Translation (from Polish) of the Commemorative Medal's Certificate Nr. 240:
	Left Side Medal: Home Army Soldiers 1st Regiment Mountain Rifles Regimental Units: 1st Battalion Lt. "Andrezej" 2nd Battalion Cpt. "Filip" 3rd Battalion Cpt "Michal" 4th Battalion Mjr "Lampart" And Special Units of Sabotage Division "Kedyw" Right Side First Name ..Hubert Family Name.. Brooks Pseudonym .... "Jubelt" Organizational attachment in 1939–1945:             1st Battalion /Canadian/ The above named was a member of the 1st Regiment Mountain Rifles of the Polish Home Army (Resistance) and is entitled to wear The Regimental Medal Chief of Staff "Maciej" Col. Jan Cieślak

One would have thought that the award of these medals was quite straight forward, given the above documentation. However, nothing is simple or easy when politics enters into play...as we shall see in the next section....

The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.