WW2 Major Cheston Medal, Uniform, Document & Operation Order Group

For sale is a Large WW2 British Major Cheston Medal, Uniform & Document Grouping. This medal grouping includes some incredible historically significant orders and telegrams relating to important battles and operations.    Arthur Gordon Cheston was born on the 6th of October 1917, and lived at 124 Oxford Road in Reading upon enlisting. His trade upon enlisting was a clerk.    Arthur, attended an officer training college from 1931 until 1934, and was awarded a O.T.C certificate A.    From the 22nd June 1938 Arthur in the reserve for royal artillery.     Arthur enlisted into the British army on the 7th September 1939 and began his military service with the royal Berkshire regiment and then went on to serve with the 2nd queens regiment from 1940 until 1946 and then served with the royal corps of signals for his final year of service.    Arthur Gordon Cheston Married Catherine Clifford at Keyness Restaurant Romily street in london on the 24th June 1939.    P/113337 Major Arthur Gordon Cheston who served with the Queens Royal Regiment. He served at the rank of 2/Lt from 1939, the rank of Captain from 1940, Acting Major from 1945 and then Major from 1946.    Major Cheston, served in Africa, Italy, Burma, Israel/ Palestine and then in France and Germany after the war.    As of the 25th June 1946 Cheston was awarded the honorary rank of Major which was mentioned in the london Gazette.     The following Documents that are of huge historical importance, and we’ve brought attention to them below:    Telegram: Dated August 1944, in relation to the battle of the Falaise pocket.   Operation Orders: Dated 7th July 1941 in relation to The Syria–Lebanon campaign.   Operation Orders: Dated 24 September 1941 in relation to the Siege of Tobruk.   Battalion Orders: Dated 31st of May 1940, For Palestine.   Movement Orders: For the queens royal regiment from Guildford to France on the 9th of February 1940.      This medal grouping contains the following items and paperwork which is mentioned below:   1. WW2 Period The Majors British Army Trousers 2. WW2 Period British Army The Majors Tunic Complete with buttons  3. WW2 Period British Army The Majors Sam Brown Belt & Strap 4. WW2 The Majors Medal Bar & Medal Rack including his 1939-45 star, africa star with the 8th army clasp, Italy star and war medal. His oak leaves are also attached onto the uniform just above the medal rack. 5. Ww2 period 3 x economy plastic crowns are loose. 6. Ww2 period 2x Queens brass shoulder titles are loose. 7. Ww2 period second oak leaf which is loose in a brown envelope (mentioned in dispatch’s). 8. A pair of Pre ww2 documents that are titled the following; “March 1934. Officer, training, course, certificate, ache, Cavalry, artillery, artillery, survey, engineers, signals, and infantry. First paper tactics general.” And the second document is titled “ March 1934 officers training, Corp certificate eight infantry, second paper, special to arm.  9. A document from the war office dated 25th June 1946, that states the following; “Sir, Now that the time has come for your release from active military duty, I am commanded by the Army Council to express to you their thanks for the valuable services which you have rendered in the service of your country at a time of grave national emergency. At the end of the emergency you will relinquish your commission, and at that time a notification will appear in the London Gazette (Supplement), granting you also the honorary rank of Major. Meanwhile, you have permission to use that rank with effect from the date of your release.” 10.  Officers mess 1 corps district signals B.A.O.R dinner dance programme dated 6th April 1946 11. A menu signed by fellow officers of the queens regiment, taken place at St George hotel Dunbar. Also signed by the major himself. 20 signatures in total.  12. A 32nd annual dinner or ranks, the Queens Royal Regiment at kennards restaurant in Croydon on Saturday, the 1st of June 1946 Menu with four signatures on and a lovely blue embossed emblem of the queens regiment.  13. An invitation titled Lieutenant colonial D.N Deakin, Royal Signals and the officers first corpse, district signals, request the pleasure of the company of major g Cheston at a dance to be held at officers mess on the 24th of December 1945 at 8:30 hours from the PMC Officers mess 1st corps district signals BAOR. 14. A rare 21st Army Group message from Field Marshal, commander-in-chief Montgomery that states; “I feel I cannot let you leave 21 Army Group on your return to civil life without a message of thanks and farewell. Together we have carried through one of the most successful campaigns in history, and it has been our good fortune to be members of this great team. God Bless and God speed” BAOR 1946. 15. Camp rations ticket for “transit troops camp S4 bearer may purchase 10 cigarettes, 1 2oz bar chocolates”. 16. A pair of very rare telegrams with orders/ these orders related to the battle of the Falaise pocket which took place in august 1944. This telegram is sent to: “Dust DDMS DDOS DIME PRO POST CAMP B-E—&G FMCs” and sent from “Rear 30 corps”. This message states the following message; “ following message from army command will be communicated to all ranks. The present battle has now lasted for 12 days, during which all troops have fought so magnificently that the enemy is being worn down. The enemy has just reached breaking point, and he is trying to get his army away. The RAF is taking heavy toll of his columns moving west on the main coast Road. The enemy is in our power and he is just about to crack. I cool on all troops to keep up the pressure and not to relax for one moment. We have the chance of putting the whole panda army in the bag and will do so. I congratulate all troops on what has been achieved. Complete. Victory is almost in sight. On your behalf, I have sent a separate message to the RAF thanking them for their magnificent support. Ends. All informed.” THIS DOCUMENT IS OF HUGE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE!!!! The Falaise pocket or battle of the Falaise pocket (German: Kessel von Falaise; 12–21 August 1944) was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. Allied forces formed a pocket around Falaise, Calvados, in which German Army Group B, with the 7th Army and the Fifth Panzer Army (formerly Panzergruppe West) were encircled by the Western Allies. The battle resulted in the destruction of most of Army Group B west of the Seine, which opened the way to Paris and the Franco-German border. 17. A portrait photograph dated January 1942 of major Gordon Chester in his queens regiment uniform.  18. A Signed portrait photograph dated April 1944 of his friend LT Col C.H.Wathirl. 19. The majors certified copy of attestation.  20. A collection of 10 telegrams sent by various people with Major Cheston and Mrs Cheston a very happy wedding on the 24th June 1939.  21. VERY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE DOCUMENT TITLED: “ 2 Queens operation order number six. Secret. Reference map Zebdani 1/50,000.” These operation orders are dated the 7th of July 1941 and are copy number 11, these are printed onto rice like paper. These orders were issued at 14:35 on the 7.7.1944 and hand signed by the Captain & Adjt 2 queens. These operation orders are spread over two pages and cover the following points; information, intention, method, administration, armament, dress, intercom, success, signal, and distribution. These operation orders are from the The Syria–Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, was the invasion of Syria and Lebanon (then controlled by Vichy France) in June and July 1941 by British Empire forces, during the Second World War.  22. VERY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE DOCUMENT TITLED: “ 2 Queens operation order. Reference map Tobruch 1/50,000. Copy no 10.” Dated 24 September 1941 and was issued at 7pm. these operation orders are broken down into the following sections; information, intention, method, transport, order of March, admin, water, cooking, medical, intercom, and distribution. The intention of this order states the following; “2 Queens will relieve 2/13 bn A.I.F in the eastern sector during the night 25/26 September 1941. This is in relation to the Siege of Tobruk. 23. VERY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE DOCUMENT TITLED: “secret move instructions, long is the voyage” These orders were issued by captain and A/Adjutant I.T.C the Queens Royal Regiment on the 9th of February 1940. These move instructions cover the following areas; parades and routine, dress, baggage, blankets, rationed, amendment, documents, and Lawrence, medical, secrecy, and distribution. These movement orders from Guildford to France. 24. VERY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE DOCUMENT TITLED: “Not to be communicated. Battalion orders, part one by major b.c.haggard commanding, second Battalion, the Queens Royal Regiment Latrun. Palestine. 31st of May 1940.” These battalion orders are split into sections and these comprise of the following; historical note glorious first of June, duties, allowances for officers, good, conduct badges, glorious, first of June dinner, discipline, leave to Cyprus, customs formalities, awards by commanding officers news, wish you’d by Captain adjutant second Battalion, the Queens Royal Regiment.  25. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE DOCUMENT TITLED: “Not to be communicated. Battalion orders, part one by lieutenant colonel B.C.Haggard commanding, second Battalion, the Queens Royal Regiment. Gedera. Palestine on the 4th of July 1940.” This battalion all the covers the following sections; duties, arms inspection, ecclesiastical.  26. Movement pass dated fourth of February 1946 for 12 days leave. From the 21st January until 4th February 1946. 27. A World War II poem, written/ typed by the major titled “ sticking it out at the Cecil.” 28. A document dated the 22nd of June 1938, from the war office, London, that states the following; “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of army form E564 submitted by you, and to inform you that your name has been registered in the officer cadet reserve as a candidate for a commission on mobilisation of the royal artillery.” 29. World War II document titled Royal Bombay yacht club on remember ship eligibility document.  30. A letter sent to Arthur, from the infantry training centre, the Queens Royal Regiment soughton barracks Gildford Surrey dated 24th of January 1940. This letter states the time Arthur will need to arrive for and what equipment and clothing he will need to bring. Just letting his hand side by the captain and adjutant infantry training centre, the Queens Royal Regiment. 31. A document dated March 1934, and is titled; “officer, training, course certificate a cavalry, artillery, artillery, survey, engineers, signals, and infantry. First paper”. 32. A letter dated 18th of November 1945, titled headquarters, military government, North Rhine , provenance. What is the subject of promotion, an appointment of officers addressed to major Cheston.  33. A hand typed and illustrated poem by major Cheston to his wife in 1946. 34. A document dated March 1934, titled: officers, training corps, certificate A,  infantry, second paper. 35. A letter addressed to Cheston, stating “you are instructed to report the officer commanding number 165 officer, cadet training unit at Dunbar by 4 pm on Friday, September 15th 1939, railway Warren is enclosed. “ 36. World War II pass that states; “ the bear has permission to leave the dock station area between 12:00 hours, and 15:30 I was on 15th of February 1940. 37. A document titled “form of daily service for use in government departments”, religious Document. 38. A ww2 period water colour Christmas card to Arthur from his wife.  39. A World War II period Signed  portrait photograph of a general and his wife. We’re unsure of the connect to the major!  40. Arthur’s medical examination certificate dated the 7th of September 1939 in Reading. Medical grade I. Description of the man states; Age 21, height 5ft 6 3/4 ins, blue eyes, light brown hair.  41. A letter dated 28th of December 1945, titled headquarters, military government, North Rhine Province with the subject of promotion and appointment officers. This is addressed to major Cheston. 42. A document dated the 15th of March 1944, letter relating to mention in dispatch and oak leaves attached. This document was addressed to major Cheston. 43. The document dated third of April 1945, Continental leave past Taipei four major Cheston. Live is for Paris, France.  44. The newspaper clipping showing a photograph of officers of a battalion of the Queens Royal Regiment, including their names below. 45. A document dated 29th of March 1946, titled Continental Leave pass type B for the Majors wife.  46. Never World War II period handwritten poem by the major. 47. A document dated the 7th of September 1939, requesting Arthur at an officer, commanding interview. 48. A letter hand written, and signed by General Sir Ivo Vesey, K.C.B, K.B.E, C.M.G, D.S.O, newick lodge, camberley in Surrey. That states the following; “ where reference to your letter of 12th April. I have Julie noted your name for consideration for your appointment to the Queens Royal Regiment. 16.12.1939.  49. Exercises and battle plan drafts handwritten by Arthur whilst he was attending officer training college, Which is written in a stationary office book. This draft is written over 13 pages.  50. Other documents including cancelled leave passes, extending leave passes, receipts for hotels stayed at whilst in the British army in foreign countries and the UK, officers memorandums, dinner/ party invitation, Hand written documents. Most of which are military (these include a further 20 odd documents).    This is an excellent Medal grouping, with many historically important documents in. This group has potential for further research, and would make an excellent display piece. Please notice however that the majors Burma star is missing from this group!    This will be sent via Royal Mail special delivery and dispatched within two working days. Also happy to post internationally.