Association Nationale Franco-Britannique
One of France’s oldest WW1 & WW2 Anglo French award making organisations directly connected to famous names of both conflicts and working today towards greater co-operation.
The Association National Franco-Britannique (ANFB) was officially founded in 1933 by the Duchess of York, (soon to be HRH Queen Elizabeth) and Presidents of France, René Coty and Albert Lebrun, to maintain the spirit of the Entente Cordiale of 1904 and the comradeship forged on the battlefields of 1914-1918. This was enhanced during 1939-1945 and especially by the clandestine resistance operations of French and British special forces working together.
ANFB has 26 regional branches across France and 5 international groups. It is Registered No.175 by the State Secretariat for Veterans, Ministry of Defense; No.153 of the Fédération Nationale André Maginot and Member No. A669 of the Committee of the Flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Arc de Triomphe, Paris. It is recognised by the Grande Chancellerie de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur. ANFB is constituted under the law of 1901 and is administered by a Board of Directors with delegated powers within each regional or national group.
ANFB’s mission is to maintain in the memory of the living, the memory of those who died for France and the United Kingdom and to pass on to future generations the Torch of Remembrance. To honour all those who have acted by their sacrifices, devotion and their commitment, to the cause of peace and freedom. To promote, maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two nations, bonds forged on the battlefields of 1914-1918; 1939-1945, and in the underground resistance. To reward those who serve the Allied cause in Remembrance today and those who have contributed to the Entente Cordiale or help the Franco-British rapprochement in the face of an ever changing world.
On 4th March 2025 the ANFB held a ceremony at the French Ambassadors Residence in Kensington Palace Gardens, London, to award 7 new members and 4 existing members.
The event was kindly hosted by Her Excellency Madame Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, French ambassador to the United Kingdom, and supported by M. Sébastien Bidaud, Ministre Conseiller and Colonel Emmanuel Emond, Air Attaché, at the French Embassy in London, and Colonel David Hannah, Chief of Staff at the British Embassy in Paris.
In addition to the medal nominees were: Dr Jean François Gourdou, ANFB National President; M. François Cathala, ANFB General Secretary; Madame Marie José Clayton, President of Members of Ordre national du Mérite UK; Mr Frédéric Goldberg President of the Anglo French Law Society and other ANFB Chevaliers who had travelled from France for the occasion: Madame Michelle Cathala, M. Aurelien Grenier, President of the B.O.A (Bureau des Opérations Aériennes) commemorative association and M. Mathieu Baudoin, President Souvenir Français, Epernay.
Silver Medal (Chevalier) recipients:
Mr. Edouard de Guitaut – Great nephew of Géneral DeGaulle and established organiser of WW2 Anglo-French commemorative activities.
Dr. Francoise Richardson – President of Assoc Membres d’Ordre Palme Academique GB
Mr William Beauclerk – Vice President, Libre Resistance, Paris.
Mr Ian Titman – Research specialist of RAF Special Services, SOE support for French Resistance
Mr Paul McCue – Executive Trustee, Secret WW2 Learning Network charity.
Madame Anne Alexandre – Author, WW2 Secret Service researcher
Madame Patricia Connell – Présidente du Conseil du Consulat général à Londres et Conseillère
Vermiel Medal (Officier) Medal:
Madame Brigitte Williams – delegate of France Libre UK
Mr Bernard Masson – Association des Mutilie, Ancient Combattants et victimes de la guerre en Grande Bretagne (AMAC)
Mr Simon Horsington – Vice President Alled Forces Heritage Group, Founder of the Anglo French Law society
Medaille d’Or
Mr Ian Reed – Director Allied Forces Heritage Group / Groupe du Patrimoine des Forces Alliées.
Here are the photographs from the Ceremony:
(Photograph credits: Simon Horsington; Aurélien Grenier, Cécile Coolen & Anne Alexandre)
Introductions by the French Ambassador; Ian Reed and Dr Jean François Gourdou
More photographs >>>>>>> to be edited and sorted……….
