The impressive Hundred Days Offensive Military Cross group to Captain John Alford Cheston

The impressive Hundred Days Offensive Military Cross group to Captain John Alford Cheston, Royal Fusiliers: Military Cross, George V; British War Medal and Victory Medal (CAPT. J. A. CHESTON.), nearly extremely fine; together with a set of mounted dress miniatures and a Royal Fusiliers collar badge.

M.C. L.G.: 31043 02/12/19

The recipient was born in Chelsea in 1889, and followed his father, Horace Cheston, in becoming an architect. He was commissioned in the 24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsman's Battalion), having entered France in January 1917. In September 1918 his battalion took part in an attack in the Canal Du Nord area in which he conducted himself with remarkable bravery and professionalism. The citation for his M.C. reads:

T./Lt. (A./Capt.) John Alford Cheston, 24th Bn., R. Fus. During the attack on the strongly held enemy system about the Canal du Nord on the 11th and 12th September, 1918, he led his company deep into the hostile trenches, overcoming a fierce resistance and accounting for numbers of the enemy, besides taking many prisoners. In the heavy bombardment of a counter-attack, he moved his men from the main trench to forward shell holes, thereby saving many lives as the trench was obliterated. His courage and leadership could be depended upon in any emergency.

The Battalion diary records that it was "in close support to the 52nd L.I. and 2nd H.L.I. which were attacking the Havrincourt projecting angle of the enemy's line", and that "the whole of the battn eventually went into action......and reached their objectives"

Following the war the recipient returned to his profession, becoming the surveyor to the Bridewell and Bethlem Royal Hospital. He was notable for his altruism: his obituary observes that "For [the welfare of the men of his battalion] he felt a measure of responsibility which he was not prepared to delegate to any ex-soldiers' society", and records his work in organising battalion reunions.