121345 Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON, MC, 1 Irish Guards

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Name Chesterton, Oliver Sidney
Rank: Temporary Captain
Service No: P121345
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 September 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/2

24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
P/121345 Temporary Captain Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

Attack of Point 212 and 214, April 27, 1943

The 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS was right-hand Battalion in a Brigade attack launched at 1400 hours on April 27. On the way to the Start Line the leading companies had very heavy casualties from Artillery and Mortar fire. Eventually the companies got across the Start Line with No. 4 Company leading on the left and with No. 1 Company commanded by Captain CHESTERTON in support of it.

The objective was Point 212 and 214. All the Officers of No. 4 Company were either wounded or killed and the advance came to a standstill. The intensity of the fire made it impossible to advance further in daylight. Captain CHESTERTON got his company on under smoke but was soon pinned. He was wounded by shrapnel in the ? I contacted the Company by wireless and was told that CHESTERTON was wounded and that the only other officers were either wounded or killed. However, CHESTERTON still managed to get information to me. Eventually he was wounded twice again, once in the elbow and ? in the thigh. However he managed to get to his wireless set and regain control of his company. He told me that he would continue the advance as soon as it got dark and asked me to bring Artillery fire on various targets. The moment darkness fell he led his company on despite his wounds and captured his objectives. I followed closely on behind his company and found him on the objective, the position consolidated and patrols already sent forward to Point 181. He then managed with help to get himself down the hill and back to the Battalion dressing station. There is little doubt in my mind that unless Captain CHESTERTON had stuck ? his wounds and led his Company on the objectives we would never have got the hill at all as the Battalion had had very severe casualties, there were hardly any officers and the Battalion was stretched over a large area.

I strongly recommend this Officer for gallantry and efficiency.

Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

 

Personal Number: 121345
Rank: Captain
Name: Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON, MC
Unit: Irish Guards

London Gazette : 5 March 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34804/supplement/1307/data.pdf
The undermentioned Cadets (Officer Cadet Training .Unit, Sandhurst) to be 2nd Lts. 25th Feb. 1940: —
FOOT GUARDS.
Ir. G'ds.
Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON (121345), from R. Fus.

London Gazette : 23 September 1943
The Military Cross

London Gazette : 6 June 1969
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44863/supplement/5961/data.pdf
CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD
ST. JAMES'S PALACE, LONDON S.W.1
14th June 1969
THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to signify her intention of conferring the Honour of Knighthood upon the under- mentioned:
Knights Bachelor
Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON, M.C. Lately President, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

London Gazette : 11 July 1969
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44894/page/7213/data.pdf
The QUEEN was pleased on Tuesday 8th July 1969, at Buckingham Palace, to confer the honour of Knighthood upon:
Sir Oliver Sidney CHESTERTON, M.C.

London Gazette : 16 December 1980
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/48454/page/17404/data.pdf
Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT
The QUEEN has been pleased by Warrant under Her Majesty's Royal Sign Manual, bearing date 8th December 1980, to re-appoint The Lord Allen of Fallowfield, C.B.E., Sir Oliver Sidney Chesterton, M.C., Oscar Henry Colburn Esquire and George David Inge-Innes-Lillingston Esquire, D.L., to be Crown Estate Commissioners for a further period on and from 1st January 1981.

Oliver Chesterton - Wikipedia
Sir Oliver Chesterton