Major John Edward “Jim” Almonds, MM & Bar 1SAS

Original (“Gentleman Jim”)(Tobruk Four)
Major John Edward “Jim” Almonds (6 August 1914 – 20 August 2005) was one of the founding members of the Special Air Service in the Second World War and one of its most remarkable figures. Nicknamed “Gentleman Jim” by his comrades for his calm demeanour and exemplary conduct, Almonds combined courage, steadiness, and remarkable tactical skill to perform some of the war’s most daring special operations. His military career spanned multiple theatres of war, captivity and escape, and post war service — earning him the Military Medal (MM) with Bar (a second award) and the Croix de Guerre from France. On 3 September 1941, exactly two years after Britain entered the war, Almonds wrote in his diary: “I am now SAS.” He had volunteered for L Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, hand picked by David Stirling as one of the SAS’s original cadre. His calm leadership and discipline earned him his comrades’ affectionate nickname, “Gentleman Jim”.

Almonds participated in many of the SAS’s early desert raids behind enemy lines, operating mainly at night in Libya and Egypt. Working first with Stirling and then as an experienced NCO in his own right, he carried out raids on airfields, transport columns, and enemy infrastructure — helping establish the SAS’s reputation for audacious deep penetration attacks.
One notable assault took place on 14 December 1941 at Mersa Brega, where Almonds and fellow SAS member Jock Lewes attacked Italian positions, planting bombs on enemy vehicles while moving under heavy fire. His diary and family accounts highlight his cool judgment and attention to detail even in extreme danger.
In a New Year’s Eve raid on Nofelia airfield, Almonds played a critical role in extricating survivors after a German Me 110 engagement — reorganising men, securing ammunition, and ensuring a return to base under fire.

For his bravery in the Western Desert, Almonds was awarded the Military Medal (MM and later a Bar to that medal for his remarkable behaviour as a prisoner of war. His citation noted his leadership after his officer was killed during a raid and his skilful extraction of his party under heavy odds.
Captured during operations in Benghazi in September 1942, Almonds was held in Italian POW camps. On at least two occasions he successfully escaped, including one instance in which he and fellow prisoners bribed guards to gain freedom and then navigated through enemy territory to reach Allied lines.
After returning to active duty, Almonds parachuted into occupied France on D Day with SAS units. There, he and his men blew up railway lines, bridges, and ammunition dumps, significantly disrupting German supply and communication lines during the critical Normandy campaign. For his actions, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by France.