Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3370    SESSION 15 (7.30PM THURSDAY 25TH NOV)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,000

MILITARY CROSS GROUP OF SIX: Military Cross (GRI); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 1943 chisel engraved on reverse of first medal, SX5289 L.H.Thomas. on second, third fifth and sixth medals, the fourth medal unnamed. All named medals impressed. Medals display mounted but all ribbons not stitched at back, otherwise good very fine.

Service Record as well as original correspondence included with lot confirms the award of all the above medals to Lieutenant L.H.Thomas.

Together with medal box and miniature Military Cross, miniature Africa Star, pin-back suspender bar for Military Cross, Anzac Appeal badge missing pin; riband bar for first three medals and with 8 emblem on Africa Star ribbon; Female Relative's badge WWII with one star; Demobilised Sailors Soldiers & Airmens Assn badge with 44 affixed to crown; booklet titled, 'Christmas '42, 2/2 Aust M.G.Bn A.I.F. Abroad'.

MC: LG 25/2/1943, p966; CAG 11/2/1943, p433, to Lieut L.H.Thomas 2/43rd Aust Infy Bn. Presented by The Governor of South Australia at Government House, Adelaide on 9 May 1945

Citation: Outstanding initiative, courage and leadership Tel El Eisa Sector.

Recommendation: 'In the Tel El Eisa Sector. On night 23/24 October 42 in Area Map Ref 87343022 Alamein sheet during a p1 raid, the Comd, Lieut Lindsay Howard Thomas SX5289 displayed outstanding initiative, courage and leadership. On reaching a point midway between the start line and the objective, a working party of numerous enemy was encountered who speedily returned to their lines and gave warning of the approach of the raiding party.

On reaching the enemy wire, the raiding party came under intense S.A. and L.M.G. fire which made the task of blowing two openings through it extremely hazardous. On the cutting of these gaps, Lieut Thomas was the first to dash through and lead his pl on to its limit of exploitation 300 yds fwd. On completion of the task and after ordering the withdrawal, Lieut Thomas remained behind to ensure that all his comd had got clear. Almost immediately after he became a casualty and had to be carried from this point to our own lines.

Throughout the action this officer displayed personal courage and control and inspired his men by his own actions and leadership which resulted in the destruction of one A Tk gun, the capture of 5 PWs and inflicting 30 casualties.'

In a book titled 'Tobruk and El Alamein' by Barton Maughan it relates that, 'Lance Corporal Bingham (2/3 Field Company) began to carry Thomas out. On the way Bingham shot a German with his pistol, then bailed up three others who helped carry Thomas back.'

Lindsay Howard Thomas, farmer and grazier, age 31, born at Burra, Sth Aust; Enl.14Jun1940 at Adelaide, Sth Aust; served with 2/43 Aust Infy Bn; WIA 29Aug1941 GSW left forearm; To Lieut 15Feb1942; WIA 23Oct1942 GSW right leg and placed on seriously ill list; awarded Military Cross during El Alamein operation; Appt terminated and Trf to Reserve of Officers 17Sep1943; Died 10Feb1987 at Mitcham, Sth Aust.

With research.