Order of the British Empire recipient’s Efficiency Medal, GVI 2nd type bust, Territorial suspension, awarded to Warrant Officer 1st Class J.J. Sankey, M.B.E., Royal Artillery. From Sidcup, Kent, he saw active service during the Second World War in North Africa and the Middle East, and was one of the original members of the post-war reform of the 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division (Territorial Army) in 1947 when employed as the Chief Clerk to the stores with the Headquarters and serving under the Commander of the Royal Artillery to the division. It was for these services that he was appointed a Member of the Military Division of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, his award being announced in the very first for Birthday Honours List given during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Also a recipient of the Coronation Medal 1953 in addition to his Second World War campaign medals, he was awarded the Efficiency Medal with two additional award clasps, the last representing his third award of this medal being announced in 1971.
Efficiency Medal, GVI 2nd type bust, Territorial suspension; (812060 W.O.CL.1. J.J. SANKEY. M.B.E. R.A.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine.
John Joseph Sankey was born on 21 September 1916, and came from Sidcup, Kent. He saw service in the Territorial Army. On active service during the Second World War in North Africa and the Middle East with the Field Branch of the Royal Artillery he was discharged in March 1946 but then re-enlisted, and would go on to have a long career as a Territorial, with the third award clasp to his Efficiency Medal being awarded to him in Army Orders No.63 of 1971.
It was for his services between April 1947 and January 1952 as a Warrant Officer Class 1 (No.812060) and Chief Clerk to the stores with the Headquarters of the 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division (Territorial Army) that he was recommended for his award of the Member of the Military Division of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the award being put forward by Brigadier R.G. Streatfield D.S.O., D.L., the Chairman of the Kent Territorial and Auxiliary Force Association, who whilst off sick in hospital at the time that Sankey was recommended, had known him well not only as a Kent Territorial but also owing to Streatfield having previously been the Commander of the Royal Artillery to the 44th Division. Streatfield would die as a result of illness some three months after the recommendation was confirmed on 6 March 1952.
The recommendation reads as follows: ‘WO I J.J Sankey has filled the appointment of chief Clerk at my H.Q Royal Artillery for the past 5 years, i.e since the re-constitution of the Territorial Army in 1947. Throughout the whole period he has been assisted by one typist only, who has changed frequently. The HQ has six major and three territorial army minor units under direct command. There are also two regular units. For training. Not only has his behaviour, and demeanour been quite irreproachable the whole time, but he has gone out of his way to make the running of this H.Q smooth and efficient with the consequent good effect on the administration and happiness of the Territorial Army units under command. W.O Sankey is held in the greatest respect not only by all the Permanent staff of the Divisional Artillery from the commanding officers downwards, but also by all those on the Higher Formations and the six Territorial Army Associations with whom he has to deal. It frequently happens that the C.R.A. and the Brigade Major are away together, sometimes during the Training camp periods for as long as two weeks on end. The whole of the day-to-day administrative work of the H.C. with those units not in the camp has thendevolved on Mr. Sankey, and he has invariably undertaken this responsibility, which far exceeds his normal duty with a cheerfulness and ability to quite outstanding. I consider that, by his conduct over the past 5 years Mr. Sankey has done more for the good of the Territorial Army than any other member of this Divisional Artillery, and that this outstanding service and devotion to duty, greatly in excess of his normal work as Chief Clerk, merit his consideration for the award of the M.B.E.’
Sankey’s appointment to become a Member of the Military Division of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was announced in the London Gazette for 5 June 1952, the very first for Birthday Honours List given during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. He had been the Chief Clerk to the Headquarters Royal Artillery with the 44th Division since the outset of the reformation of this post-war Territorial unit.
Of note it seems that he had a long association with the 44th Division, and if so, it is likely he was with this division in North Africa during the Second World War, where it fought from July 1942 as part of the Eighth Army, including being in action at the Battle of Alam el Halfa, and the Second Battle of El Alamein. The division was then disbanded in January 1943, the units being then split across other divisions, and hence an explanation for why Sankey did not see any further campaign service during the war.
Sankey was still living in Sidcup when he died on 20 December 2022. In addition to the M.B.E., he is also entitled to the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Coronation Medal 1953.
