Auction Catalogue

22 March 2010

Starting at 12:00 PM

.

British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

Download Images

Lot

№ 111

.

22 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£350

Three: Gunner W. J. Thomas, Royal Marine Artillery, killed in action at the Battle of Jutland, when serving on H.M.S. Indefatigable

1914-15 Star (R.M.A. 12889 Gr.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A. 12889 Gr.) mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-250

Gunner William John Thomas, Royal Marine Artillery, was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, aged 21 years, when serving on the battlecruiser Indefatigable.

During the ‘run to the south’, Beatty’s battlecruisers were heavily engaged with those of Admiral von Hipper. Shortly after 4 o’clock, when engaged in a duel with the
Von der Tann, the Indefatigable was hit by a salvo of three heavy calibre shots on her upper deck which penetrated her aft magazines. An explosion followed and she was seen to be sinking by the stern. Another salvo then struck near her fore turret and after a second explosion she turned over and disappeared. Of her company of 1,012, only two were picked up by the Germans.

William John Thomas, a native of Aberystwyth, was the son of William and Margaret Thomas of 47 Hollingsworth Street, Holloway, London. His name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.