British Couple Posthumously Honoured by Uzbekistan for WWII Bravery
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has signed a decree to posthumously award the Order of Friendship to British citizens John and Phyllis Emily Le Breton. The prestigious national honour, known locally as the Dustlik order, was granted in recognition of the couple’s extraordinary heroism during the Second World War.
The official state document formally commended the late husband and wife for the «high courage and humanism» they displayed while navigating an exceptionally dangerous wartime environment.
The award stems from a remarkable act of defiance and compassion on the island of Jersey. According to the presidential decree, the British couple saved the life of an Uzbek soldier named Bokijon Akramov after he successfully broke out of a fascist concentration camp located on the island.
Taking an enormous personal risk, the Le Bretons gave the fleeing soldier refuge and provided a secure hiding place within their own home. The couple offered this vital sanctuary despite knowing that harbouring an escaped prisoner posed a severe and immediate threat to their own lives.
Alongside praising their wartime bravery, the Uzbek government recognised the broader impact of the couple’s selfless actions.
The official citation concluded by honouring the Le Bretons for their lasting legacy, highlighting their «special contribution to the establishment of the ideas of peace, friendship and brotherhood between peoples.»
