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 9

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2021.22.48
Difficulty:

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PLEASE AOORESS TOrCher Corepondene on WOForm!D. F Haenanan AAt OFFICE, THE WAR OFNCE. TherOm Drokkwich, Worer DROTWH. Nores Awgs ovoye dhe (otoning nombe: Tefoste MOSt SA Tam commanded by the grmyfovnch to acknowledge the receipt of your lerer of 22. Lkft. isbonthe sudjer ot -R MabatSE CFrATTON. which recenving atcention. am Your obedlent Servant, og. w. Sane MTEIeTOITSO2 O/S6 104 ovw LrD. 70e e
Borhana fea brk. Sch- osiss
... 12, Bireh Avenre, Commerk. staftr.
pierlgenienes Gruwrr mane! VI. 9534 Private John Desmond Pock, Australian Imperial Forces. On the ath June 1941, three days after his oaptare in CRETE. Private PBcX and eight other Australians valked out of the P/w enclosure at SFXKLA, Orete. Two monthe later Private PBCK recaptured and sent first to CANEA prison and then to a camp at CLLATOS. Again on 20th August 1941, he olimbed through the wire and vas at liberty almost four months before being re-arrested. Oreten villagers released him within two days. Fer the fourth time he omme into Cerman custody en 28th April 1942, but on 15th May 1942, with six companions, be knocked out a gurd and ecaped from the military prison at RODI. Although the party suoceeded in securing a boat, this ospeized in a storm,: Private Pack was resoued by an Italien destroyer. Imprisoned in Italy, he loft a ommp at SAN CERMNO vE where he had been employed on agricultural vork, by elimbing the vire. A fortnight later he vas apprehended once more. At the time of the Italien Armistioe he vas reloased from VakLI prisom. Om 12th Fehruery 1944, Private PscX vas orrested by the Cestapo. After three monthe' impricomment he ceoaped from a vorking party employed at the LAKSRATx marshalling yards; when the guarde took shelter during an sir raid, he rem in the oppoeite direction. Thereafter he made hie va to Svitzerland. Avard pablished in London Casette Seppleænt Erted Ior karch ichd A.Lses
Te nefromsencorscin 3 260 I trle Sbervenrg of IHE WAR OFFICE STANMORE MIDDLESEX m. 1)) (e) 1 betober, 1936. sir, I e directed to scknowledge reocipt of yeur letter dated 28th Soptember 1956, end to enelose a copy of the citation upon chich vas based your sward of the Distinguished Comdeet kedal. A sma1l portion of the eitation has been omitted in the interests of sccurity. Yorr obedient servant, rlndelelt t Latenent Ceneral, Militery Scoretery. John D. Pook, Eso., D.C.M., 12, Birch Avenme, Cannoek. staffordehire.

PLEASE ADDRESS further correspondence on
this subject: -
THE ARMY MEDAL OFFICE
The Under-Secretary of State (
The War Office
Droitwich, Worcs.

ALWAYS QUOTE the following number: -
A/1056/1752
W O Form I D.
THE WAR OFFICE
DROITWICH, Worcs.
1/10/1956
I am commanded by the Army Council to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of 28th Sept 1956, on the subject of
ARMY MEDALS & CITATION.
which is receiving attention.
I am, Your obedient Servant,
G. W. [[ Simner?]].
 

 


Barbara Jean Peck
DCM - LG/36961/45.
 

 


IMMEDIATE
D. J. PECK, Esq.,
D.C.M.,
12. Birch Avenue,
Cannock,
Staffs.
 

 
 


 

 

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 and Italian destroyer.
Imprisoned in Italy, he left a camp at SAN GERMANO VERCELLESE
where he had been employed on agricultural work, but climbing the
wire. A fortnight later he as 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.
[* Ref. LG/36961/45*]

 

NATIONAL SCHEME FOR DISABLED MEN
Tel NO. STONEGROVE 6377
EXTN 260
Further correspondence on this subject should be addressed to
The Under-Secretary of State (M.S.3.)
THE WAR OFFICE,
STANMORE,
MIDDLESEX.
11 October, 1956.
Please quote in any reply
BM. 3339 (MS3)
Sir,
I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter
dated 28th September 1956, and to enclose a copy of the 
citation upon which was based your award of the Distinguished
Conduct Medal.
A small portion of the citation has been omitted in the
interests of security.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
[[ W M Underhill?]]
[[ per?]] Lieutenant-General,
Military Secretary.
John D. Peck, Esq., D.C.M.,
12, Birch Avenue,
Cannock,
Staffordshire.

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