Andre Darbre (1921-2018)

摘要

Andre Darbre was born on 28 May 1921 in Birmingham to Swiss parents with a family tree traceable back to 1601. He went to Waverley Grammar School where his love of swimming and playing the violin were kindled for life. After matriculation in 1936, he was appointed junior librarian at Birmingham Reference Library, but, like many of his generation, achievement of professional qualifications was interrupted by the war years. He volunteered to join the Royal Armoured Corps and served for 5 years, initially posted to North Africa into the battle of El Alamein and then moving up through Italy from Sicily to Bari. It was at a military party in Bari that he was made aware of the need for fluent French speakers to help translate for the French Resistance, and for this service he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded war medals.