Private John Nelson Delves Royal Artillery and Royal Pioneer Corps
The Man John Nelson Delves was born in the first quarter of 1913 in Doncaster, son of Alfred, a Gas Worker, Labourer and Mary nee Morland. He was one of 10 children, Alfred Edward born in 1903 and killed in action on 5th July 1945 in Italy and buried in Rome War Cemetery, Jessie (1905-65), Esther Mary (1906-86), Kathleen (1908-90), Edith L (1911-14), Eric (1914), Denis Walter (1914-78), Elsie J (1917-19) and May 1920 – 73).
In 1931 aged 18 John together with Alfred, enlisted into the Territorial Army, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with service number 4686717.
In 1936 the family were living at 45 Essex Avenue Doncaster and before the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John and Alfred were called up and John transferred to the Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment seeing service at home for most of the war. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in Army Order 145 of 1941.
John was transferred to the Royal Pioneer Corps and saw service in Northwest Europe following the D-Day invasion on 6th June 1945 and following the war was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45, followed by the first clasp to Efficiency Medal in Army Order 26 of February 1947 and the second clasp in Army Order 93 of 13th October 1948, indicating he had remained in the TA post war.
No detail is known of John’s later life, but he never married and passed away during the first quarter of 1962 aged just 48.
In 1931 aged 18 John together with Alfred, enlisted into the Territorial Army, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with service number 4686717.
In 1936 the family were living at 45 Essex Avenue Doncaster and before the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John and Alfred were called up and John transferred to the Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiment seeing service at home for most of the war. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in Army Order 145 of 1941.
John was transferred to the Royal Pioneer Corps and saw service in Northwest Europe following the D-Day invasion on 6th June 1945 and following the war was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45, followed by the first clasp to Efficiency Medal in Army Order 26 of February 1947 and the second clasp in Army Order 93 of 13th October 1948, indicating he had remained in the TA post war.
No detail is known of John’s later life, but he never married and passed away during the first quarter of 1962 aged just 48.
The Story The medal group awarded to John Nelson Delves were acquired from Cultman Collectables on 17th December 2022 and of interest because of the Efficiency Medal and entitlement to two clasps.
Surprisingly John’s details were easily found on Ancestry.UK, enabling a very basic biography to be pieced together. Of interest was the fact his brother Alfred Edward, was killed in action serving in Italy during world War II and buried in the Rome CWG cemetery.
Surprisingly John’s details were easily found on Ancestry.UK, enabling a very basic biography to be pieced together. Of interest was the fact his brother Alfred Edward, was killed in action serving in Italy during world War II and buried in the Rome CWG cemetery.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 4686717 GNR. J.N.DELVES. R.A.
This page last updated 22 Dec 22
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