An extraordinary collection of signatures of 128 Victoria Cross war heroes could sell for thousands of pounds at auction thanks to a ‘crafty’ toastmaster’s right royal cheek 67 years ago.
On June 26, 1956 the late Jack Masters was toastmaster at the Victoria Cross Centenary Celebrations in Hyde Park, London, attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip – and Jack took a leaf out of Her Majesty’s book.
His son-in-law John Dunkley, 79, from Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire, picks up the story: “When the VC veterans arrived for dinner they were asked to sign a book for the Queen. My father-in-law was a very crafty man. He took along his own autograph book, put it next to the Queen’s, stood by the table and asked them all to sign his book too.
“That means the only other VC signatures book like this in the world will be in the Royal Collection. Jack was quite a character. He had lots of stories to tell. He was toastmaster at many events attended by the Queen and Queen Mother. He knew Sir Winston Churchill and worked in the Houses of Parliament for many years.
“Jack gave the book to my wife around 30 years ago and it’s been stuck in a drawer ever since. I did loan it to a friend once. He documented the VC winners so historical work has been done.
“My father-in-law died at the age of 85 about 22 years ago and my wife passed away a couple of years ago. I am getting older and the book’s doing nothing so I decided it was time to part with it. It’s so rare it may attract interest from collectors all over the world.”
The book of signatures, discovered in January at a free antiques valuation event at Jeyes of Earls Barton in Northamptonshire, will be offered by Hansons Auctioneers’ on February 14 with a guide price of £3,000-£5,000. However, the firm’s militaria consultant Matt Crowson says it could sell for more.
He said: “It is one of the most extraordinary militaria finds we have ever made, an almost unique archive of signatures of men rewarded for immense bravery. As far as we can ascertain, no other collection of VC winners’ signatures as comprehensive as this example has ever been offered for sale.
“It may seem a little cheeky for Jack to place his autograph book next to the Queen’s ledger but we understood she granted him special permission to obtain the signatures, a wonderful act of kindness on her part.
“It’s created an exceptional piece of military history. The signature of every Victoria Cross holder who was well enough to attend the function is captured in that red, leather-bound book. In total, it contains 127 VC winners, plus another loose example.
”Many names relate to First World War recipients, plus there are two from the Boer War and another from the pre-Boer War era.The album comes with a type-written sheet matching the men to their regimental details. However, 16 signatures are unknown and therefore not listed.”
Among the war heroes who signed the book are Richard Annand, first winner of the VC during the Second World War. ‘Dickie’ Annand, from South Shields, County Durham, gained the award ‘for most conspicuous gallantry’ in Belgium on May 15-16 , 1940 when he was 25 years old.
A citation in the London Gazette, dated August 23, 1940, described how his platoon came under violent attack. However, Annand went forward himself over open ground, with total disregard for enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. He drove out an enemy party, inflicting over 20 casualties with hand grenades. Despite being wounded he rejoined his platoon and carried on in command.
Another serviceman honoured with the medal was Middlesbrough-born Stanley Hollis, the only man to win a VC on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
The roll of honour also includes Captain Ishar Singh, the first Sikh recipient of the VC. He was a soldier in the British Indian Army. He gained the medal for ‘conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty’ on April 1, 1921 near Haidari Kach (Waziristan).
The loose signature is that of Alexander Murray, 8th Earl of Dunmore, the only journalist to win a VC. His decoration was earned while serving with the 16th Lancers in 1897 in Nawa Kili, now modern day Pakistan.
Other notable names include New Zealand-born Charles Hazlitt Upham, one of only three men to win a VC with bar; Sidney Frank Godley, the first Private to win a VC during the First World War, and Frederick Luke and John Henry Charles Drain, 37th Battery RFA, the only survivors of of the last stand during the WW1 retreat from Mons on August 26, 1914.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award of the British honours system. It is given for valour ‘in the presence of the enemy’ to members of the British Armed Forces. It was introduced on January 29, 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of bravery during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been awarded 1,358 times.
The book of Victoria Cross recipients’ signatures will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ Medals and Militaria Auction on February 14. To find out more, email [email protected].
