Final salute

Stephen emails to point out this story of another hero's final muster:

Macpherson returned to England in September 1945 and was demobilised. He rejoined the TA and was attached to 21 SAS TA from 1947 to 1952. In 1956 he was staying at a hotel on Lake Bled, near the border between Yugoslavia and Italy, when he received a rather peremptory invitation from Marshal Tito to visit him at his summer residence.

In the aftermath of the war, Macpherson had played a part in foiling a plot to incorporate the Friuli-Venezia region of Italy into Yugoslavia and he had reservations about complying. “Ah, Macpherson,” said Tito as he was ushered in, “I have been looking forward to this meeting. We tried so hard to kill you.”

Sir Thomas Macpherson won three Military Crosses and three Croix de Guerre, among many other medals he received for his work in the commandos.  He was captured and escaped many times, in North Africa, Italy, and the Baltics, and parachuted repeatedly into occupied France to work with the Resistance. 

You can order his autobiography here.

Rest in Peace, Sir Tommy.