The group of nine miniature dress medals worn by Warrant Officer Class 2 T. Thomson, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, E.II.R.; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp; Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan; Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (9) £300-£400

C.G.C. London Gazette 18 March 2005.

The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Thomson. Basra City, Iraq. 9th August 2004. Warrior AFV Commander.

On 9th August 2004 Corporal Thomson was commanding a Warrior AFV in central Basra City as part of a company action to rescue eight stranded soldiers who were cut-off, their vehicles destroyed, and running low on ammunition, being engaged by enemy militia. The Company had been tasked to rescue these soldiers; an action during which a soldier from the company was killed and the company commander’s entire Tactical Headquarters Group was injured.

On deployment to the stranded soldiers Corporal Thomson’s Warrior was attacked and struck by RPG and small arms fire from close range. The RPG strike caused internal and external communications failure which did not deter Corporal Thomson’s focus in engaging the enemy and providing flank protection for other vehicles to attempt to rescue the cut-off soldiers. The only means of communication available to Corporal Thomson were hand-signals which meant continuously exposing himself to direct fire from the militia whilst engaging the enemy, fighting his vehicle, and communicating with another Warrior vehicle in the immediate area. Having defeated the RPG and small arms teams, and still using only hand signals, Corporal Thomson lead the two vehicles to an area to provide flank support to other call signs attempting to rescue the stranded soldiers. Whilst still under small arms fire he regained communications via a control station and relayed the enfolding situation. He was informed that the stranded soldiers were suspected of being in the area of the Old Ba’ath Party Headquarters, a complex within a perimeter with minimal entrances and exits and dominated by high buildings. Focused only on rescuing the stranded soldiers, and now acting as a single vehicle, Corporal Thomson manoeuvred and fought his way into the compound, continually being engaged by small arms and RPG fire. He saw that there were enemy positions within the compound, some of whom were engaging his vehicle. His turret jammed, restricting his ability to return fire. With no thought for his own safety, and realising he was the only person able to fight back whilst his gunner rectified the turret problem, he stood fully exposed to the enemy, engaging individual gunmen with his personal weapon. On realising the stranded troops were not within the compound, he had to exit the compound close to an enemy position within a fortified sangar. As the vehicle approached the position Corporal Thomson fired his personal weapon into it and posted two grenades, destroying the position and the three gunmen within, thus guaranteeing his exit from the compound.

At this point in the battle the stranded soldiers had been rescued by another Warrior. Corporal Thomson married up his vehicle with the platoon commander and was able to extract, fighting his way out of the killing area, still using hand-signals and fighting as an individual from his turret.

Corporal Thomson exemplary personal bravery, razor sharp initiative, and dynamic action whilst under continuous small arms and RPG fire for a period in excess of two hours in an urban environment were absolutely superb, especially as he was largely unsupported for a great deal of the engagement. His actions were an inspiration to his men and the remainder of the company over what was an especially difficult period and are worthy of the highest possible recognition.’

For the recipient’s full-sized awards, see Lot 24.