Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Mention in Despatches Certificate, named to ‘Lieutenant (T/Captain) The Duke of Wellington, The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (W. Riding)’, dated 28 September 1944, contained in a glazed frame, 239 x 214mm., good condition
£2000-2500

Henry Valarian George Wellesley was born on 14 July 1912, the only son of the 5th Duke of Wellington, whom he succeeded in December 1941. He was educated at Stowe School and on 13 November 1935, as Lord Mornington, was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, joining them in early 1937 in Malta. He served with them there and in England until February 1939 when he was seconded to the King’s African Rifles. He went out to join them in East Africa and saw service with them in the Defence of Kenya against the Italians and in the successful Abyssinian Campaign. He returned to England in 1942 following a severe attack of malaria. Whilst at home on sick and compassionate leave, following the death of his father, he took his seat and made his maiden speech in the House of Lords. His adventuous spirit then prompted him to apply for Commando training, which he won through with flying colours. Appointed to No. 2 Commando, Special Service Brigade, commanded by the charismatic, Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Churchill, M.C., he took part in the invasion of Sicily and in the landings at Salerno on 9 September 1943.

Captain Henry Valarian George ‘Morny’ Wellesley, the 6th Duke of Wellington, the Great-Great-Grandson of the 1st Duke of Wellington (The Iron Duke), serving in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment and attached to No. 2 Commando, Special Service Brigade, commanding No. 2 Troop, was killed in action by a hand grenade in the bitter fighting at Piegolette, 16 September 1943. Recommended for the award of the D.S.O.; posthumously mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 28 September 1944.

A Memorial Service was held at Strathfieldsaye Parish Church on 9 9 October 1943, conducted by the Bishop of Winchester. In his address, Canon J. B. Barker said -

‘A century and a quarter ago England’s Sovereign conferred a Dukedom on England’s greatest soldier. To-day we mourn the sixth holder of that honoured title - the first to lay down his life in action - whom all men knew as ‘Morny’. What kind of man was he? We will ask it first of his fellow-officers and men, and they will tell you of his bravery - his utter fearlessness in the face of danger. ....’

With copied No. 2 Commando War Diary for September 1943 and other copied research.