Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6475676 Fsr. A. W. Thomas, R. Fus.), contained within original card forwarding box with Buckingham Palace letter, extremely fine £700-800

M.M. London Gazette 4 May 1944. The immediate recommendation states:

‘This Fusilier, during the crossing of the River Garigiliano, the advance on to Damiano and the Lorenzo position, from 17 to 23 January 1944, was constantly engaged in dangerous line repair over ground which was heavily shelled, and often machine-gunned. For five days and nights he scarcely missed going out on a single line repair party, foregoing any relief.

While laying a line to Lorenzo cross roads, the area was heavily shelled, machine-gunned and grenades were thrown round the road where he was working, but he continued to fix the telephone and test it until the line was through.

This Fusilier displayed great devotion to duty and a complete disregard for his own personal safety. He was well aware of the vital necessity for communications and was determined to maintain them. He set a fine example to his comrades.’

Arthur W. Thomas was serving in the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at the time of receiving the above award.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including a handwritten congratulatory letter from General Sir R. May, Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers, dated at the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall on 22 March 1944, and three wartime photographs.