John turned the letter to his father "a letter from horse guards....stating that for my actions in India. I'm being awarded the second highest decoration. The Distinguished Service Order for leading the patrol that resulted in saving the lives of the three men that were shot on the same patrol I was shot. That will go well with the three times I got mentioned in dispatches in the London gazette" John also looked round for a dust pan and brush because deep down he knew his mother would have both their guts for garters for making a mess in her kitchen