Five: Sergeant T. W. Thorp, 2nd Volunteer Battalion Essex Regiment and City of London Imperial Volunteers

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (799 Pte. T. W. Thorp, C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (172. Pte. T. W. Thorp. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (172 A.Cpl. T. W. Thorp. Essex R.); Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (2345 Sjt: T. W. Thorp, 2/V.B. Essex: Regt.) edge bruising, nearly very fine (5) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Thomas William Thorp was born at Maldon, Essex in October 1873. A foundry man by occupation, he enlisted into the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Essex Regiment on 19 March 1890 and served with their City Imperial Volunteers detachment in South Africa during the Boer War. An extract from a letter written by Burrows, regarding shortage of food, was printed by the City Press on 28 July 1900.

Essex Units in the Great War by Burrows, 1929, confirms that Thorp was still serving in the volunteers as a Cook/Sergeant in 1914 and he continued to serve with the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment during the Great War, arriving with them at the Dardanelles on 9 August 1915 and landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli three days later. Barely four months later, his battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros on 4 December 1915 due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather. Having advanced to Acting Corporal, Thorp was discharged on 26 August 1916, aged 42, at the termination of his period of engagement.