Sergeant Dennis Edmund Griss
Unit : "A" Company, 12th Parachute Battalion.
Army No. : 1136544
Awards : Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Croix de Guerre
During an attack to cross the River Touques at Pont L'Eveque on 22nd August 1944, Sergeant Griss was with the forward elements of his company. The river was swift and under heavy fire. Regardless of the danger to himself, he went to the rescue of a comrade who was in danger of being swept away by the current and drowned. He was one of the small party of one officer and eight men, who succeeded in crossing the river and reaching the objective. Throughout a trying period when they were under constant fire for six hours, he was an inspiration to all around him. Later under fire from machine guns and snipers in the dark, he bandaged a badly wounded officer and assisted him back over 800 yards of open ground. When the Officer was exhausted and could go no further, he made his way to the Regimental Aid Post and asked for a stretcher and someone to come and help him. He then once more made his way back to the Officer, and helped to carry him in, although he was soaking wet and very nearly exhausted. His courage was beyond praise and undoubtedly saved the Officer's life.
Griss remained in the Army after the war, became an officer, and in 1956, 352021 Captain Griss was serving with the Military Police and was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
As Staff Captain Special Investigations Branch of Eastern Command, Captain Griss has shown a devotion to duty and unbounded energy and enthusiasm far beyond the normal requirements of his military duties.
In order to achieve the best results from his work it has been necessary for Captain Griss to establish working relations with the Civil Police Forces, the officers of the Directorate of the Army Legal Services and the Royal Army Pay Corps. This he has achieved to a marked degree, which is reflected by the high regard in which he is held by all his associates.
He has conscientiously and painstakingly carried out numerous complicated investigations which have necessitated his working abnormally long hours; often well into the night recording statements from civilian witnesses who were not available at normal times. At all times he has shown a complete disregard for his own personal convenience.
In order to present lucid and unbiased reports to his superiors it has been necessary for Captain Griss, particularly in cases of suspected fraud and falsification of accounts, to carry out detailed and complicated background research. His completed reports invariably show an unprejudiced and accurate picture of the matters under investigation, and have greatly facilitated the disposal of disciplinary cases within the Command.
The numerous investigations which he has carried out have resulted in the recovery and saving of large amounts of both public and regimental monies, and his ready co-operation with Commanding Officers and unit adjutants has been a considerable factor in the maintenance of good discipline.