Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Temporary Second Lieutenant J. W. Checkley, 15th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, late Queen’s Own Oxford Hussars, afterwards a Captain in the Canadian Army

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star (1871 Pte. J. W. Checkley. Oxf: Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. J. W. Checkley.) the British War Medal officially re-impressed; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Forces Decoration, E.II.R. (Capt. J. W. Checkley) mounted for display, very fine or better (7) £800-£1,200

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation London Gazette 4 October 1919:

‘T./2nd Lt. John William Checkley, 15th Bn., Notts. & Derby R.
During the operations around Kloefhoek and Wevelghem, on the 14/15th Oct., 1918, he behaved with conspicuous gallantry. Owing to his company commander becoming a casualty, he led the company to the final objective under very difficult conditions. He continually attacked parties of the enemy and was himself responsible for many hostile casualties. His contempt for danger was a great inspiration to the troops under his command.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915.

John William Checkley was born at South Newington, Oxfordshire, on 8 March 1895, and enlisted into the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars on 31 January 1914. Embodied on 5 August 1914, he served in France from 20 September 1914, and was discharged to a commission on 30 October 1917, as Second Lieutenant, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 May 1919, and relinquished his commission on completion of service retaining the rank of Lieutenant, 1 December 1920.

During the Second World War Checkley served in Canada with the 19th Alberta Dragoons from November 1940, becoming a Lieutenant and afterwards a Captain in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. The award of the Canadian Forces Decoration was approved on 9 November 1954. Sold with full service record including an original Department of Defence letter dated 7 August 1958 placing Checkley on the Retired List.