Letters to Lieutenant John Desmond Peck concerning the Victory March and the investiture of the DCM, citation and personal papers of Lieutenant Peck, 1945-1951 - Part 1

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
VX.9534 Private John Desmond PECK,
Australian Imperial Forces.
On the 4th June 1941, three days after his capture in CRETE,
Private PECK and eight other Australians walked out of the P/W
enclosure at SFAKIA, Crete. Two months later Private PECK was
recaptured and sent first to CANEA prison and then to a camp at
GALATOS. Again on 20th August 1941, he climbed through the wire
and was at liberty almost four months before being re-arrested.
Cretan villagers released him within two days. For the fourth
time he came into German custody on 28th April 1942, but on
15th May 1942, with six companions, he knocked out a guard and
escaped from the military prison at RODI. Although the party
succeeded in securing a boat, this capsized in a storm, and  
Private PECK was rescued by an Italian destroyer.
Imprisoned in Italy, he left a camp at SAN GERMANO VERCELLESE,
where he had been employed on agricultural work, by climbing the
wire. A fortnight later he was apprehended once more.
At the time of the Italian Armistice he was released from
VERCELLI prison.
On 12th February 1944, Private PECK was arrested by the
Gestapo. After three months' imprisonment he escaped from a
working party employed at the LAMBRATE marshalling yards; when
the guards took shelter during an air raid, he ran in the opposite
direction. Thereafter he made his way to Switzerland.
Award published in London Gazette
Supplement dated 1st March 1945.

[[Signature]]
Adjutant,
No.107 Aust. Convalescent Depot,
BALLARAT.

Australian
PoWs X Italy         Declaration        by [[Ray ?]]
[[?] John [[?]] [[?]]
2 of [[?]] Captured By Italians [[?]] [[?]]
28-4-42. Crete. 9 -9-43
Raid by Italians from 28-4-42 with various
intervals due to escapes
In front 28-4-42 to 31-5-42
P.G. 75 1-6-42 to 15-7-42
P.G 65 16-7-42 to 1-9-42
P.G 51 2-9-42 to 15-4-43
P.G 106/1 16-4-43 to 9-9-43 [[Balone?]] due from
Italians 1261 Line.
Taken by Italians in Crete no receipt
given one gold ring (Sygnet ₤5
one gold wrist watch [[?]] £ 15

TELEPHONE MU5966, MU5805
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.—VIC. L. OF C. AREA.
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
No. 56485
Cas.
Victoria Echelon and Records,
281 Lonsdale St.,
MELBOURNE, C.1.
16th July, 1945.
Mrs. B.J. Peck,
87 Morton St.,
Chadsmoor, Cannock,
STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND.
Dear Madam,
I have much pleasure in notifying you of the
following extract from D.V.17 14/5/45 relating to
conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member
of the Australian Military Forces.
"His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased
to approve of the following Award in recognition
of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
VX9534 - Pte. Desmond John PECK - 2/7 Aust. Inf.
Bn."
The unit shown is that in which the abovenamed
was serving at the time of the Award.
Yours faithfully,
R. C Raper
Lieut.Col.,
Officer in Charge,
Victoria Echelon and Records.

TELEPHONE MU 5966 MU 5805
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.—VIC. L. OF C. AREA
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
No...............
Cas.
Victoria Echelon and Records,
281 Lonsdale Street,
MELBOURNE. C.1.
68500
29th August, 1945
VX9535,
Pte. D.J. Peck
107 Aust Con Depot,
BALLARAT.
The following extract from D.V.17 dated 14/5/45,
is advised: -
"AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
His Majesty the King has been graciously
pleased to approve of the Award of the
Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned
in recognition of gallant and
distinguished services in the field."
VX9543 - Pte Desmond John PECK - 2/7 Aust.
Inf Bn."
R. C. Raper
Lt-Col.,
Officer in Charge,
Victoria Echelon and Records.

TELEPHONE
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.—VIC. L OF C. AREA.
 IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
No................................
HQ MURCHISON P W GROUP.
MURCHISON.
22 MAR 46.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that VX9534. LT. J.D. PECK. is entitled
to wear the following ribbons :-
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
AFRICA STAR
1939-45 STAR
ITALY STAR
FRANCE and GERMANY STAR
DEFENCE MEDAL
[[?]] Capt.
................................Capt
ADJT. HQ.MURCHISON PW GROUP

MURCHISON PW GROUP. MURCHISON                           
Unit...........VX9534......................LT..............PECK.John Desmond.....
Number...............................Rank........................Name....................................
Certificate of Claiment: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I certify that I am entited to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Star (with..........Clasp), Pacific or Burma Star (with.........Clasp),
Italy Star, France and Germany or Atlantic, or Air Crew Europe Star
(with .........Clasp), Defence Medal, by virtue of the following service:

(a) (i) If the period of service is less than six months, state
grounds for claim (see Sec 11 of GRO 233/1945).
(ii) If LHQ approval is required to reckon service claimed as
qualifying service, it will be necessary to attach a full statement
of relevant details (see para 4 of such Sec 11).
(b) State highest rank (whether noting, temporary or substantive)
during the qualifying period for each award claimed, as such rank
will be inscribed on the Stars and Medals whatever rank was subsequently
held. 22. MAR. 46. LT.
Date...... Signature...((**J. Peck**))

x Delete the words not applicable.
NOTE
The Stars and the Defence Medal will be worn in the following order :-
the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Air Crow Europe Star, the
Africa Star, the Pacific Star, the Burma Star, the Italy Star, the
France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal.
These awards will allow army personnel to wear five of the eight ribbons
of the Campaign Start, i.e. :-
The 1939-45 Star
The Africa Start
The Pacific or Burma Star
The Italy Star
The France and Germany or Atlantic
or Air Crew Europe Star.
The ribbon of the Defence Model may be work by qualified recipients in
addition to those granted for Campaign Stars.

BY AIR MAIL
D0/AG1/WL/WH
OI. 573
Aust Army Staff,
LONDON
LONDON VICTORY MARCH CONTINGENT (AMF COMPONENT)
Further to this HQ OL472 of 22 Mar 46, forwarded
herewith is a schedule showing Army Number, Surname, Other Names,
and Decorations of Army members of the London Victory March
Contingent. In addition to the members shown on the attached
schedule the following military history personnel have been 
attached to the Contingent:-
SX13471 Lt G.R. MAINWARING (Artist)
VX85922 Lt L.E. CUFFLEY (Cinematographer)
With the exception of the Advance Party referred to
in para 2 below, all the members of the AMF Component embarked at
Melbourne in HMAS "Shropshire" on 18 Apr 46.
2. The following numbers of the AMF Component will
proceed to England by air with the Advance Party :-
WX 228 Lt D.V. MENTIPLAY
QX 7303 WOII C.D. NISSON
QX 300551 Pte R.H. MITCHELL
Squadron Leader P.H. SWAN of the RAAF will also
proceed by air as a member of the Advance Party. The two officers
will leave Sydney by air on 3 May 46, and the two other ranks
on 9 May 46.
3. Also attached is a copy of Cabinet Agencies 1078D
relative to pay and other conditions for members of the Australian
Contingent. Cabinet approved of the recommendations of the
Treasury Finance Committee as set out in the Agendum.
4. It has not been practicable to include in the 
Contingent suitable personnel for the following :-
(a) Dental
(b) Tailor
(c) Shoemaker
It is therefore desired that you make suitable
arrangements with the War Office for the provision of these services
should they be required. It is noted from your IM605 of 31 Mar 46,
transport.
Major-General
Copy: Southern Command ADJUTANT-GENERAL
Apr 46 

LONDON VICTORY MARCH CONTINGENT
(AMF COMPONENT)
 

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