Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘French theatre’ M.M. awarded to Company Sergeant Major T. J. Mead, 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who died of wounds on the Somme, 15 September 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2429 Sjt: T. J. Mead. 9/Rif: Bde:) toned, minor edge nicks, good very fine £280-£320

M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916.

Thomas Joseph Mead was born in Brentwood, Essex. He served during the Great War with the Rifle Brigade in the French theatre of war from 20 December 1914. He advanced to Sergeant, and served with the 9th (Service) Battalion as part of the 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division on the Somme. The Battalion were engaged at Delville Wood on 24 August 1916, and ‘entrained for Dernacourt (11/9). Moved to forward area and in line at Delville Wood by (15/9). Attack towards Flers - lost heavily from enfilade machine gun fire from right flank while approaching Bulls Road - Lieutenant-Colonel T. H. P. Morris mortally wounded and every other officer hit except one junior subaltern. Casualties - 294. To Montauban Alley (16/9)’ (British Battalions on the Somme, R. Westlake refers)

Company Sergeant Major Mead died of wounds on the Western Front, 15 September 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.