Maurice PATURAU DFC

**Greg Bloomfield** · 18th February 2021, 13:14

I found a picture of this gent on an old Mauritian banknote and have been trying to find out why he was awarded the DFC. I've found plenty of hits for him on Google but nothing of his time in the RAF (I am assuming he was RAF, which might be totally wrong of me) or why he was awarded the decoration. Any help would be appreciated.

Regards

Greg

Apologies for the spelling and caps, keyboard error. Surname should read PATURAU, I'm unable to edit the title.

**wwrsimon** · 18th February 2021, 13:47

Greg

There's a biography in French here of Joseph Maurice Paturau (Google translate link):

https://translate.google.com/transla...e-paturau.html

and a list of awards here:

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/...urice.htm?c=aw

Regards

Simon

**HughAHalliday** · 18th February 2021, 17:34

Carter books on DFC list his award as being "approved 27 January 1944" and for services with No.342 Squadron but with no citation. A recommendation might still be found at the British National Archives (files on awards to foreign nationals), but Carter has already turned up many such submissions. Either (a) he missed it or (b) it is not there.

**Bertrand H** · 18th February 2021, 18:40

Hi Greg

This link will bring better infos and photos

http://www.francaislibres.net/liste/...hp?index=89600

I can add 41 ops missions between 14/7/1943 and 17/7/1944 with three major pilots of n°342 squadron CHARBONNEAUX, DE RANCOURT and GAROT ; like him all were Compagnons de la Liberation.

Bertrand