BNP Paribas in London: a discreet but decisive commitment during the Second World War

In the midst of the turmoil of the Second World War, the BBE reorganised itself from the British capital. The premises of its subsidiary, BBE Overseas Ltd, were also home to the Banque du Congo Belge. Together, the two institutions became the financial relay for Société Générale de Belgique outside the occupied continent.

In June 1940, the Banque du Congo Belge joined forces with the Bank of England to finance, in international currencies, all British imports of raw materials from the Belgian Congo. These flows were vital to the UK’s war economy, which largely depended at the time on resources from its Commonwealth partners and allies.

Britain not only hosted Belgian financial institutions, but also part of the Belgian government in exile. The BBE played a central role in coordinating financial operations and assisting refugees.

It supported the war effort, assisted Belgians in exile and participated in logistical efforts enabling occupied Belgium to survive — particularly in liaison with the Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB).

This young bilingual correspondent, who joined the BBE in 1931, was mobilised and sent to Burma following his marriage in 1941. He joined the 77th Independent Infantry Brigade as part of British Special Operations. On 13 March 1944, while participating in an attack on entrenched Japanese forces at Henu Block, Cairns was seriously wounded in the arm by an enemy officer. Refusing to give in, he managed to overcome his attacker, continue the fight with his weapon and galvanise his comrades.

His exceptionally courageous action enabled him to take a strategic position. He then succumbed to his injuries, having enquired with his superior about the outcome of the mission.

His act, recognised as a model of bravery, posthumously earned him the Victoria Cross in 1949. He remains one of the only, if not the only, bank employee in British history to have received this honour.