Full medal write up
THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, O.B.E. (MILITARY) OFFICER’S 2ND TYPE BREAST BADGE, SILVER-GILT, 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, CLASP 8TH ARMY, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, CORONATION 1937 ‘CAPT P. T. W. SYKES. THE BAYS’ PRIVATELY ENGRAVED.
O.B.E. London Gazette 9 September 1942. Major Peter Thomas Wellesley Sykes (28314), The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards),"Royal Armoured Corps (W. Amesbury, Wilts).
“In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941 to April, 1942.”
Peter Thomas Wellesley Sykes was born on 21 December 1903 and after attending Rugby School, was appointed a Gentleman Cadet, at the Royal Military Academy. He was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (The Queen's Bays) on 30 January 1924 and was promoted Lieutenant on 31 January 1926, serving as Adjutant between 1934 and 1937. Promoted Captain on 1 October 1935, he was serving as Acting Major from 3 September 1939, being confirmed to that rank on 31 January 1941. during the Second War and was wounded in action on 26 January 1942 (Rugby School archives say December 1 1941). He is later listed as Lieutenant Colonel commanding the Regiment in 1946, having been promoted to that rank on 11 December 1945.
As part of the Royal Armoured Corps, The Bays fought in northern France in May and June 1940, before evacuating from Brest. By November 1941, it had recovered and re-equipped, deploying to North Africa and fighting at Gazala and the First and Second battles od Alamein in 1942. At one point in the campaign, it remained in action continuously for a record 19 days - longer than any other armoured regiment in that theatre. In 1943 it took part in the Tunisian campaign.
Condition generally VF or better. Mounted as worn contact marks from wear. Stitching from one side of clasp loose.