Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War 1945 ‘Immediate’ North West Europe Commando’s M.M. group of five awarded to Private R. F. Thomas, Gloucestershire Regiment and No. 3 Commando, who armed with a Bren Gun, and despite being wounded in the shoulder, accounted for 4 enemy killed and 6 wounded, during the operations to force a passage across the River Aller at Essel, 10/11 April 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5180266 Pte. B. F. Thomas. Glouc. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (615 Const. R. F. Thomas. Pal. Police.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, light contact marks, generally nearly very fine or better (5) £3000-3400

M.M. London Gazette 12 July 1945:

‘During the battle for the Essel bridgehead on April 11th 1945, No. 3 Commando was heavily counter-attacked.

Tpr. Thomas was in a forward exposed position and fifteen enemy were within fifty yards of his slit trench. He was wounded in the shoulder and a NCO beside him in the slit trench, was killed at the beginning of the action. In spite of these handicaps he continued to fire his Bren gun over a period of one and half hours with such effect that the attack was held up and then beaten off. Tpr. Thomas accounted for four enemy killed and six more wounded. His complete coolness in the face of heavy enemy opposition was an inspiration to all.’

Ray Frank Thomas served with the Gloucestershire Regiment between the wars, and was briefly employed in the Palestine Police prior to rejoining the Gloucestershire Regiment for Second War service. He served with No. 3 Commando and Holding Operational Commando, 13 May 1944 - 21 July 1945.

Thomas distinguished himself during the break-out into Germany in April 1945. During this time No. 3 Commando, as part of 1 Commando Brigade, served with the 11th Armoured Division under the overall command of the 6th Airborne Division. There was little pause for breath during the opening weeks of April, as the commandos were in constant demand. No. 3 Commando led from the front for the capture of Osnabrück, 3 April 1945. The city, along with 450 prisoners, was captured after a five hour attack. A few days later they were tasked with the crossing of the next river line, the Weser. This time Thomas was in the rear of the attack, as No. 6 Commando lead the way in the night attack (7/8 April) on the town of Leese.

After Leese was taken, Thomas came to the fore in the operations in and around Essel. The Commandos 1940-1946, by C. Messenger gives the following insight:

‘The next obstacle was the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser, and, still under command of 11th Armoured Division, 1 Commando Brigade was to force a passage across it at Essel. There was a road bridge leading to the town, but Mills-Roberts [OC 1 Commando Brigade] concluded that an attack across this would merely lead the Germans to blow it up. He therefore selected another bridge, a railway one, at Schwarmstedt a mile downstream. This time No. 3 Commando led the way, and at midnight on the 10th/11th approached the bridge. The Germans spotted them and set off demolition charges, which destroyed the first span on the home bank, but that was all. No. 6 Troop under Lieutenant A. Wardle, took their boots off in order to make no sound and began to charge across. A machine gun opened up on them, causing five wounded, but the remainder got across, overpowered a position at the far end and then removed the remaining charges. The other three Commandos now came across.

Next morning the Germans, who belonged to the 2nd Marine Division, launched some fierce counter-attacks [see Recommendation above], and at one point Mills-Roberts himself had to shoot a sniper. No. 6 Commando were now detailed to capture the road bridge, which they did with much dash - hunting horns sounding and bayonets fixed.’

After much fierce fighting, including against a German marine battalion, all positions were secured by the end of 13 April and 1 Commando Brigade moved on.

Sold with photographic image of the recipient in uniform.