Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War ‘Salonika’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D. S. Thomas, 1st/1st Battalion, Surrey Yeomanry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (45097 Sjt: D. S. Thomas. 1/1 Surr: Yeo:); 1914-15 Star (1570 Pte. D. S. Thomas. Surr. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (1570 Sjt. D. S. Thomas. Surr. Yeo.); Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (45097 Sjt. D. S. Thomas. D.C.M. Surr. Yeo.) mounted as worn, generally very fine and better (6) £1,800-£2,200

One of only four D.C.M.s awarded to the Surrey Yeomanry for the Great War.

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when on patrol. On all occasions he has shown resource, intelligence and absolute disregard of personal danger. He has set a fine example throughout.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 27 November 1917.

Donald S. Thomas attested for the Surrey Yeomanry (a Territorial Cavalry force) and served with “A” Squadron. On mobilisation the Surrey Yeomanry, now known as the 1st/1st Surrey Yeomanry, was attached to the South Eastern Mounted Brigade of the 1st Mounted Division. In late 1914 the regiment was split up, with the Regimental Headquarters and “A” Squadron being attached to the 27th Division. Thomas landed with the Division at Le Havre on 22 December 1914, and after a year on the Western Front embarked at Marseilles for service at Salonika, disembarked at Salonika on 11 February 1916.

Remaining in Salonika for the rest of the War, Thomas was Mentioned in General Milne’s Despatch, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Following the cessation of hostilities his unit carried out occupation duties in the Caucasus, before finally being withdrawn from the region in 1919. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal under Army Order of February 1942, with the medal being the type that he was first entitled to having completed 12 years’ service in the Territorials.

Sold with two postcard photographs of the Surrey Yeomanry, and copied research.