Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain C. Thomson, Leicestershire Regiment, attached East Lancashire Regiment, late Highland Light Infantry, who, having been wounded in the German Spring Offensive, was killed in action in September 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its case of issue; 1914-15 Star (3732 Pte. C. Thomson, High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. C. Thomson), together with the recipient’s Memorial Plaque 1914-18 (Charles Thomson), official correction to rank on the third, extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a patrol, which was successful in raiding an enemy machine-gun post, after another patrol had attempted, but failed, to do so. His success was mainly due to a fine reconnaissance, and to his courage and power of leadership.’

Charles Thomson, a native of Paisley, Glasgow, was educated in Ferguslie and Cumphill Schools and was on the staff of the Commercial Bank prior to the outbreak of war. Enlisting in the Highland Light Infantry in June 1915, he was embarked for France in August of the same year, where he joined the 9th Battalion.

Credited with being mentioned in despatches at the end of 1916 - a copied newspaper obituary refers - it is likely said reward was in respect of his Battalion’s part in the Somme offensive. The 9th took up positions between High Wood and Bazentin-le-Petit in mid-July 1916, and suffered over 400 casualties in an attack on Switch Line on the 15th; likewise in an attack on Boritska and Hazy Trenches on 1 November, when, ‘advancing through thick deep slime’, the Highlanders were cut down by heavy machine-gun fire.

In early 1917, Thomson returned to the home establishment to attend an O.T.C. and was duly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Leicestershire Regiment. However, on returning to France at the end of the same year, he was attached to East Lancashire Regiment, and it was in that capacity that he won his M.C. He was also mentioned in despatches and wounded during the German Spring Offensive.

Finally, on 1 September 1918, while attached to the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, he was ‘killed by a bomb when leading his men down an enemy trench which they had captured’ (the aforementioned newspaper obituary, refers). Thomson, who was 24 years of age, is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery in the Pas de Calais; sold with copied research.