Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An excessively rare M.S.M. and Bar awarded to Acting Sergeant T. J. Coleman, Royal Army Service Corps, who, having first been honoured for services in Italy in the Great War, won a Bar for his bravery with the British Fire Brigade in Constantinople 1921-23, in which period he ‘escaped death by the closest margin’ on several occasions

1914-15 Star (M2-10223 Pte. T. J. Coleman, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-10223 Pte. T. J. Coleman, A.S.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (T2-10223 Cpl. T. J. Coleman, R.A.S.C.), mounted as worn, generally very fine (4) £2000-2500

Less than 10 M.S.Ms with Bar are believed to have been awarded in the Great War period.

M.S.M. London Gazette 16 October 1919:

‘For services in Italy’.

Bar to M.S.M. London Gazette 11 July 1924:

‘This N.C.O. was directly in charge of the British Fire Brigade at Constantinople and, in this capacity, has been present at about 200 fires during the period of 22 months. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by this N.C.O. have resulted in the prevention of great material destruction and in the saving of many lives. Regardless of the danger he has invariably placed himself in the position from which he could best direct the work of the Brigade and has on several occasions only escaped death by the closest margin’.

Thomas Coleman was awarded his first M.S.M. in respect of services on attachment to G.H.Q., Italy, while his second award was for the above cited deeds during the occupation of Constantinople by British, French and Italian troops in the period November 1918 to September 1923, the former entering the city the day after the signing of the Armistice.