Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest article published in his bravery series for Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The theme of the series is Lord Ashcroft’s “hero of the month” and the January edition of the magazine has a four-page write-up on the life and courage of Odette Sansom.
Sansom, who was born in France and therefore spoke perfect French, was one of three women awarded the George Cross (GC) after working as undercover agents during the Second World War.
Sansom was the only one of the three women who survived to receive her decoration, showing immense courage despite being brutally interrogated and tortured. Her experiences inspired a book and a film about her life.
Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who had written four books on bravery over the past eight years. He has also lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.
His articles for the magazine are largely based on excerpts from Lord Ashcroft’s four books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes and Heroes of the Skies.
Furthermore, the vast majority of the write-ups will be based on gallantry medals owned by Lord Ashcroft. As well as his unrivalled 183-strong VC collection, he has a major Special Forces’ medals’ collection and a substantial collection of decorations awarded for gallantry in the air.
In 2010, Lord Ashcroft also started collecting George Crosses (GCs) for the first time and currently possesses 14 such awards.
- Lord Ashcroft’s article appears in the January 2014 issue of Britain at War, which is on sale now.
