Description:

George VI Signed Superb WWII-Dated Distinguished Service Order Presented to Highly Decorated Naval Commander

A 1p partly printed and partly manuscript document boldly signed by George VI (1895-1952) with his sign manual "George R.I." [Rex Imperator] at upper right. Issued from the Court of St. James's, London, England, on February 29, 1944. On gorgeous double-weight "GR" watermarked bifold paper with an embossed royal seal at upper left. Countersigned by A.V. Alexander, later 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough (1885-1965), in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty, as "A.V. Alexander" at lower right. Blank within and on the outermost wrapper. Expected wear including a crisp horizontal paper fold near the bottom, and some extra wrinkles, else clean and near fine. 8.25" x 13."

George VI welcomed William John Patrick Church, Lieutenant-Commander of the Royal Navy, and already a highly decorated career naval officer, into the Distinguished Service Order. Church was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in November 1934 and to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in November 1942. Appointed Commander in June 1948, he would retire from the Royal Navy in March 1961.

In part:

"George the Sixth by the Grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, to our Trusty and Well beloved William John Patrick Church, Esquire, on whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Distinguished Service Cross, Lieutenant-Commander in Our Royal Navy, Greeting. Whereas We have thought fit to Nominate and Appoint you to be a Member of Our Distinguished Service Order We do by these Presents Grand unto you the Dignity of a Companion of Our said Order…"

Church had previously received the Distinguished Service Cross in January 1942 and been mentioned in dispatches in December 1942, while he was commanding the Escort Destroyer "H.M.S. Hursley." Church oversaw a complement of 168 men on the "Hursley" and primarily cruised the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. In July 1943, Church received a Distinguished Service Cross with a bar. His appointment to the Distinguished Service Order in February 1944 marked quite an achievement, as this was the second-highest military decoration after the Victoria Cross. Previously, from 1939-1941, Church had served aboard the Minesweeper "H.M.S. Fareham" in the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas and the Pacific Ocean, shuttling between Sri Lanka, India, and northern Africa.

George VI served as monarch of Great Britain between 1936 and his death in 1952. He was the last Emperor of India.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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June 28, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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