Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) R. Chalkley OBE GM

This Officer as A.D.O.S. [Assistant Director of Ordnance Services] of the Force was responsible for the planning and organisation of the ordnance lay out, both for the equipping of the Force during the Training period before Ops started, and afterwards when the Force had been committed.

In spite of many difficulties, such as the shortage of time, the late arrival of new equipment from the U.K. and the great distances between the location of Brigades, through the energy and foresight of this Officer, all Brigades moved into operations full equipped and have never been in want of anything.

During the occupation of the HENU BLOCK one of many Japanese 150mm Mortar Bombs fired into the Block failed to explode and was required in the rear area for examination.As no Bomb disposal personnel were available, Lt-Col. CHALKEY personally dealt with the bomb and brought it back to the rear area in a light aircraft. This specimen is hitherto the only one obtained in any theatre.