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 7

PRO3098

12 Birch Avenue,
Cannock,
Staffs.
20th April, 1951
Your Ref. 3081/HONS/1/8)
Dear Sir,
I acknowledge and thank you for your letters No. 3051 dated
6.4.51 and No. 3081 dated 10.4.51, and in reply would advise
you that I will be available to attend an investiture at
Buckingham Palace on 3rd July, 1951.
I would be grateful if you would advise me of the procedure
to be followed and the time required etc., as I will be obliged
to make suitable arrangements well in advance. Could you also
advise me if uniform is to be worn?
Yours faithfully,
(John D. Peck)
A.A. & Q.M.G.
Australian Army Staff,
Canberra House,
85-87 Jermyn Street,
London S.W.1

TELEGRAMS:
AUSTARM, PICCY, LONDON
AUSTRALIAN ARMY STAFF,
TELEPHONE :
WHITEHALL 2101.
EXT..........
CANBERRA HOUSE,
85-87, JERMYN STREET,
LONDON, S.W.1
In reply please quote 4863 (HONS/1/8)
6 Jun 51
Lieut D.J. Peck, DCM,
12, Birch Avenue,
Cannock,
Staffs.
Dear Sir,
Further to this Staff letter 3542 of 24
Apr 51, it is advised that arrangements have been
completed for you to attend an investiture at Buckingham
Palace on 3 Jul 51.  An official summons will be forwarded
to you direct from the Secretary, Central Chancery
of the Orders of Knighthood, St.James's Palace, London,
S.W.1., in due course.
The time of the investiture will be included
in the official summons.
Dress for the occasion will be:
(a) If in possession, Service Dress. No
Orders, Decorations or Medals should
be worn.  Neither should swords be worn.
(b) If not in possession of Service Dress,
Morning Dress or dark Lounge Suit. Orders,
Decorations or Medals should not be worn.
Yours faithfully,
[[Williams?]]
Lt-Col
AA&QMG

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF
THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD,
ST. JAMES'S PALACE, S.W.1.
14th June, 1951.
Sir,
I very much regret to advise you that, owing
to a change of arrangements, the exact date of the
next Investiture is not now certain, and I would ask
you therefore, please, to ignore the information
given to you regarding the Ceremony which was to
have taken place on the 3rd July next.
As soon as the date of the Investiture, at
which your attendance will be desired, has been
definitely fixed, I will send a summons to you.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant.
[[Signature?]]
Secretary.
D.J. Peck, Esq.
D.C.M.
12, Birch Avenue.
CANNOCK,
Staffs.

LORD CHAMBERLAIN
ST. JAMES'S PALACE
D.J. Peck, Esq.
D.C.M.
12 Birch Avenue.
CANNOCK .
Staffs.

CENTRAL CHANCERY
OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD
ST.JAMES'S PALACE, S.W.1.

DOCTORS SEE
KING AGAIN
INVESTITURE PUT OFF
The King, who has been advised
to have "a prolonged
convalescence", as stated in a
bulletin on Tuesday night, was
seen by his doctors at Buckingham
Palace again yesterday.
It was officially announced yesterday
afternoon that the Investiture
which the King was to have held at
Buckingham Palace on July 3 has
been postponed.
This postponement is in addition
to the list of this month's engagements
affected by the King's health
which was announced in THE DAILY
TELEGRAPH on June 5.

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF
THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD,
ST. JAMES'S PALACE, S.W.1.
10th October, 1951.
SIR,
I have the honour to inform you that The King has commanded that an Investiture
will be held at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, 31st October, 1951, at which your
attendance is requested.
I am desired to say that you should arrive at the Palace between the hours of
10 o'clock and 10.30 o'clock a.m., and this letter should be shown on entering as no
other card of admission is issued.
Two guests only may accompany you to watch the Ceremony and their tickets may
be obtained by making application on the enclosed form which should be returned as
soon as possible. It is regretted that in no circumstances may this number be increased.
DRESS.—(a) Serving Officers of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force
should wear the dress laid down in the regulations of their respective
service. No orders, Decorations and Medals should be worn, nor
should swords be worn.
(b) Retired Officers who are not in possession of the dress described in
(a) should wear Morning Dress or Dark Lounge Suit. Orders,
Decorations and Medals should not be worn.
(c) Civilians should wear Morning Dress or Dark Lounge Suits. Orders,
Decorations and Medals should not be worn.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
[[Signature?]]
Brigadier
Secretary.
Lieutenant D.J. Peck,
D.C.M., Australian Military Forces.

TEL. No.
EXTN.
Further correspondence on this subject should be addressed to:
The Under-Secretary of State (MI11)
THE WAR OFFICE,
LONDON,
S.W.1.
Please quote in any reply:
MI11/1955/Gen/F339
25th July, 1956
Sir,
I am directed to refer to your letter dated 20th July
1956 referring to your recent visit to the War Office.
Some trace of your wartime activities has been found in
War Office records. It is possible but by no means certain
that further traces exist.
I am to ask that you notify two alternative dates upon
which you would be prepared to attend at the War Office at
2.30 p.m. at your own expense for the purpose of discussing
the matter further with an officer who may be in a position
to assist you with your research.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R.B. Matthews
Director of Military Intelligence.
J.D. Peck, Esq.,
12, Birch Avenue,
CANNOCK,
Staffordshire.
[*Replied 10/8/56.*]
[*for dates Aug 16*]
[*17*]
[*18*]
[*30*]
[*31*]
[*Sept. 1.*]

TEL. No.
EXTN.
Further correspondence on this subject should be addressed to:
The Under-Secretary of State (MI.11)
THE WAR OFFICE,
LONDON,
S.W.1.
Please quote in any reply:
MI.11/1955/Gen/F339
16 August, 1956
Sir,
I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated
the 10th August, 1956 and I am to say that 31st August, 1956
will be an acceptable date for you to attend at the War Office
at 2.30p.m.
I am advised that upon arrival you should ask for
Major E.R. Hill and quote the above reference.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R.B. Matthews
Director of Military Intelligence.
J.D. Peck Esq.,
12, Birch Avenue,
CANNOCK,
Staffordshir.