A Second World War George Medal group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. E. R. Rhys-Roberts, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Major Thomas Esmor Rhys-Roberts); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, together with related set of miniature medals, both sets mounted as worn, edge bruise to the first, otherwise very fine (10) £3000-3500

G.M. London Gazette 18 February 1944: ‘In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner:- Captain (temporary Major) Thomas Esmor Rhys-Roberts, Infantry.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On 20th October 1943, at Bellavista, near Taranto, Major Rhys-Roberts noticed a wagon of a petrol train burning fiercely; the remainder of the wagons appeared to be in great danger. He inspected the train and found that the remaining wagons contained either petrol or ammunition. He then took charge and organised the uncoupling of the remaining wagons, which were manhandled by a party of men to safety. Major Rhys-Roberts stood between the burning wagon and the next one to it in order to ensure that the fire did not spread. The fire burned furiously, causing the second wagon to become very hot and showers of sparks were falling on the whole train. The petrol containers also exploded throwing patches of fire and large pieces of metal considerable distances with each explosion. Major Rhys-Roberts put out every fire which endangered the train. The second wagon, which also contained petrol, eventually caught fire, but Major Rhys-Roberts smothered this and hacked away all smouldering parts with a bayonet.

But for this officer’s energetic and courageous action, the whole train would have caught fire and exploded. The operation lasted about an hour and throughout Major Rhys-Roberts was in considerable personal danger.’

Thomas Esmor Rhys-Roberts was born on 22 April 1910. He was the son of David Lloyd George’s partner in the law, Arthur Rhys-Roberts, who became the Official Solicitor for a short period before his early death. His mother was the well-known contralto, Madame Dilys Jones, who was a distinguished Wagnerian singer. Educated at Westminster, he attended Sandhurst, in the company of Lord Hunt and David Niven, and saw service subsequently in the East Lancashire Regiment in China, India and the Saar. In 1935 he resigned his commission and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in June 1938. His practice then was short lived because he rejoined the army in July 1939 to serve throughout the war, taking part notably in the invasion of Sicily, where he was wounded. He was awarded the George Medal in 1944 ‘in recognition of ‘conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner’ when he unhitched a blazing wagon from an ammunition train. By the end of the war he had attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

On returning to the Bar, he practised briefly in London and then for nearly thirty years in Cardiff, where he built up a very large practice, mainly in criminal cases, becoming a Q.C. in 1972. The well-known song “Lloyd George knew my father, father knew Lloyd George” is generally credited to Tommy Rhys-Roberts, his father having set up a legal practice with him in 1897. He died on 6 June 1975.

Sold with original commission as Lieutenant in the Kensingtons, dated 22 August 1939, and 15 wartime War Office maps of various towns and ports in Sicily, Italy and Greece.