British Groups

Lot 4009    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

GROUP OF TEN TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES SYKES-WRIGHT, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Distinguished Service Order (1944); Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star (8th Army); Italy Star, Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal (Col. J.Sykes-Wright. D.S.O. Staff.); United Nations General Service Medal-Korea; Coronation Medal 1953. Korea Medal only named, impressed, others unnamed. Very fine.

DSO: London Gazette 23 March 1944. 'For gallant and distinguished services in Italy. On the night of 2/3rd December 1943 Lieutenant Colonel Sykes-Wright was in command of the 9th Royal Fusiliers which took part in a brigade attack (OP. RAINCOAT) on Mountain Features (Italy Sheet 160 II: 161 III) . To reach the start line for the attack, the Battalion had a long approach march of ten hours which included a difficult climb up 1,600 feet of steep rocky spur. Throughout the approach march, at times under fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sykes-Wright led and encouraged his men in their arduous climb. The plan for the attack on PT.819 consisted of a 2 Battalion attack in darkness but owing to the extremely poor going only one Company of the 2 Battalion was able to arrive in time to take part in the assault. Lieutenant Colonel Sykes-Wright immediately organised the plan for the assault and launched it against strong enemy opposition. That the attack was successful was due in large measure to Lieutenant Colonel Sykes-Wright's leadership and initiative. His courage and personal example both during the attack and holding the position was outstanding. They contributed directly to the success of the operation and are deserving of the highest praise.'

OBE: London Gazette 1 January 1953. 'For services with the 1st Commonwealth Division, Korea'.

Together with biographical details from the Army List; details of Operation RAINCOAT; extracts from Regimental Journals; copy of obituary - which states recipient was briefly a POW; London Gazette extract; and copy of death certificate.

Lieutenant Colonel James Sykes-Wright (1908-1976) was born on 4 December 1908, son of H.R.Sykes-Wright of Droxford Hants. He was educated at Uppingham and later Royal Military College Sandhurst before entering the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) on 31 January 1929. He stayed at the regiment until 1938, during which time he was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain. In June 1938 he became an instructor at Sandhurst and then moved to join the 131st Infantry Brigade at the outbreak of war.

During the war he served in North Africa and Italy as part of the 2/7th Queens Regiment, 9th Royal Fusiliers and 2/6th Queens Regiment. In March 1944 he was invested the DSO for leadership and initiative displayed during his command of a brigade attack during Operation Raincoat (see citation). Also while he was serving in Italy Sykes was briefly captured however managed to escape.

He continued service in the army after the war and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1950. For services in the Korean War he was awarded the OBE on 1 January 1953. His final appointment was Adviser to the UK High Commissioner in Canada 1958-60 when he retired. He died 21 August 1976.