A caricature of Chick Chickley by Gordon Livingstone, featured in Peter Richardson’s fanzine ‘Achtung Commando’.

Commando editor Calum Laird kindly sent us this tribute to the original editor of the war comic Chick Checkley, which he found in a 1971 edition of the DC Thomson staff magazine.

The portrait of Chick above is by Gordon Livingstone, whose mother was Livingstone’s godmother and who drew some 360 issues of the title.

“The death took place on August 24 of MR CHARLES E. W. CHECKLEY, Editor of Commando picture story and Star love-story libraries.

Mr Checkley, who was 63, was on the editorial staff for almost 48 years.

He was educated at Harris Academy, and became a sub-editor on The Vanguard, Adventure, Family Star, Red Star and Red Letter, moving to the picture-story libraries in 1959.

Mr Checkley served in the R.A.F. from 1941-1946.

He was a keen golfer, being a member of the Carnoustie Caledonia, Carnoustie Mercantile, Scotscraig and Press Clubs. He was a former captain of the Broughty Club, Monifieth. He had holed-in-one six times.

In the 1930s he played for Stobsmuir in the Midlands Tennis League. He was a member of the men’s doubles team which reached the final of the Scottish Cup.

Mrs Checkley was formerly in the Art Department at Meadowside.
Mr Checkley’s father, the late sergeant-Major Charles Checkley served 28 years in The Black Watch, and before settling in Dundee, he was colour-sergeant instructor in Arbroath, Carnoustie and Montrose. He also instructed Dundee High School Cadets.”

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: British Comics

Tags: Calum Laird, Chick Checkley, Commando, DC Thomson, Gordon Livingstone, War Comics