British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb immediate D.C.M. awarded to Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant (late Drum Major) Thomas Mattock, 5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, for gallantry during the withdrawal from the Gazala Line in Libya in June 1942, when he personally destroyed two enemy machine-gun posts and was badly wounded; he was recommended for the ‘highest possible immediate award’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4739803 W.O. Cl. II T. A. Mattock, E. York R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.V.R., with two additional clasps (4739803 Pte. T. Mattock, 5-Y. & L.R.) the stars sometime gilded, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (7) £4000-5000

D.C.M. London Gazette 24 September 1942.

The published recommendation states: ‘C.S.M. Mattock is C.S.M. of “B” Company. On the evening of the 14th June, 1942, during the breakout through the enemy lines the Company was under terrific fire from artillery, M.M.Gs and anti-tank guns. C.S.M. Mattock, accompanied by a Private soldier, attacked and destroyed the whole crew of an enemy M.G. post which had been holding up his Company’s advance. C.S.M. Mattock then advanced on another post. He was wounded in the face and arm by a Breda bomb but in spite of this he accounted for this post and on the way back took a prisoner who attempted to stop him.’

A much expanded account is given in the original ‘Official Citation to GHQ MEF’ submitted by Brigadier-General J. S. Nichols, DSO, MC, Durham Light Infantry, commanding 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and countersigned by Colonel C. Cooke-Collis, DSO, Green Howards, Commanding 69th Infantry Brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel G. Stansfield, MC, Commanding 5th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment. It states:

‘Company Sergeant Major Thomas Arthur Mattock is the C.S.M. of “B” Company of the 5th Bn. The East Yorkshire Regiment.

On the evening of June 14th 1942 during the withdrawal from the Gazala line in Libya, the CSM went into the attack on the company PU [Personnel Utility vehicle] with “B” Company as spearhead company. When the smoke of the shell fire and the dust of the tanks cleared away the PU was about 150 yards away from a Breda and Reville Machine gun nest; there was a similar nest in the rear that they had overrun. The PU was hit by an anti-tank shell and set ablaze, this brought fire from the two nests, and for some time owing to the heavy and intense fire, the personnel of the PU were unable to move.

However, when it was dark this CSM went to fetch up the rest of the Company on to their objective, but was fired on from the nest 150 yards away, he went in with a private soldier to clear the post, but the private soldier was mortally wounded before they contacted, although only armed with a rifle and some hand grenades, the CSM went on alone, accounted for his men, and smashed up the guns by firing into the locks.

He then went to clear out the nest in the rear which was pinning down the Company, although he was wounded about the neck, shoulders and face he carried on and accounted for his men with hand grenades, and brought back a prisoner who tried to stop him. He was then pinned down by our own barrage for at least two hours which had opened up to support the spearhead Company, the support group not knowing that the way had been made clear by the CSMs brilliant action.

He was then put on a carrier and he brought through the “gap” a number of transport which were lost; he brought them to the Egyptian border without the loss of one vehicle, using the stars as his guide in navigation.

His action on the 28th June 1942 was very commendable. He took over the duties of Company Commander (his own commander was acting as navigator to the composite battle group which “B” Company was part of); during his time in this capacity he brought the Company through heavy anti-tank fire without the loss of one vehicle, at times he was going up and down the column on foot giving directions to his men and instructions reference the attack, also cheering the men by his own good spirits and disregard for his own safety.

Recommended for the Highest possible immediate award.’


The group is sold with his Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes jewel, silver-gilt and enamels (Bro. T. A. Mattock, Good Fellowship Lodge No. 1256 Exalted 15-9-69) three other R.A.O.B. badges and various certificates, three photographs and original documents including “Copy of Official Citation to GHQ-MEF”, typed on waxed cotton, and full record of military service from the Ministry of Defence.

Thomas Alfred Mattock was born at Daventry, Northants, on 7 January 1906. He enlisted at Wath on Dearn into the York and Lancaster Regiment T.F. on 6 July 1921, and was posted to the 5th Battalion. He was appointed Drummer in September 1932 and was discharged on termination of his period of engagement in July 1937. He re-enlisted into The East Yorkshire Regiment T.A. on 4 July 1939 and was posted to the 5th Battalion, being promoted to Sergeant on 23 July and appointed Drum Major at the same time. He served overseas with the British Expeditionary Force from 24 April to 7 June 1940; in the Middle East from 31 May 1941 to 1 January 1943; and with the British North Africa Force 2 November to 10 December 1943. He was posted to 101 Reinforcement Camp in January 1944, to 2 Northern Command Infantry Depot in March 1944, and permanently attached to 182 POW Base Camp in Scotland as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant from September 1944. He was released to the Army Reserve in December 1945 and finally discharged on 10 February 1954. He died at Hornsea, East Yorkshire, on 1 January 1970.