Uzbekistan posthumously awards British couple for saving Uzbek soldier in World War II

The decree highlights that the Le Bretons risked their own lives under extremely perilous conditions to provide shelter to Boqijon Akramov. Akramov, an Uzbek soldier and teacher, had been brought to the Channel Island of Jersey as a forced laborer by Nazi forces. After successfully escaping from a concentration camp on the island, he found refuge in the Le Breton home.

Living in the village of St. Mary on the island of Jersey, the couple went to great lengths to protect the soldier, whom they knew by the name Tom. They constructed hidden hatches and secret spaces within their house to ensure he could hide quickly during frequent German searches. Over time, Akramov became a beloved member of the household, playing with the children, reading them stories, and maintaining a personal diary of his experiences. The couple's daughter, Dulcie, later recalled him fondly as her "favorite uncle."

Following the liberation of the Channel Islands in May 1945, Akramov was repatriated to the Soviet Union by British authorities along with other former prisoners of war. Although he promised to stay in touch with the Le Bretons, the family never heard from him again, and his ultimate fate remains unknown.

The story gained renewed international attention in 2022 when the couple’s granddaughter, Carolyn Horn, shared the family history with major media outlets including the BBC, Daily Mail, and The Times. She provided copies of Akramov’s diary and other historical materials in an effort to trace his descendants and preserve the legacy of her grandparents' courage.

By awarding the Order of "Do’stlik," Uzbekistan recognizes John and Phyllis Emily Le Breton as exemplary figures in promoting the ideas of peace, friendship, and brotherhood between nations.