 In June 1942, he was appointed CBE and was back in the UK serving as chief of staff to the flag officer in command of the London District.On the night of 8 December 1944 he encountered a 'smash-and-grab' raid on Wordsleys' jewellers shop in Birchin Lane, in the City of London.The burglars broke a window with an axe and grabbed a tray of rings from inside.