Four: Sergeant W. Thomas, Royal Horse Artillery

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (W. Thomas. Gr. Rl. Horse Arty.) officially impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (G-nner Wm Thomas, F. Tp. R. H. Arty.) slight excess solder to suspension claw; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (Sergt. W Thomas B Bde. RHA); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, fitted with a Crimea-style suspension, the three campaign medals all fitted with contemporary foliate suspension pins, edge bruising, polished and worn, generally fine, the LS&GC good very fine (4) £700-£900

William Thomas was born in the Parish of Mounton, Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1832. A day labourer, he attested at Kidderminster for the Royal Artillery on 19 May 1852, receiving instruction with the 7th Battalion soon thereafter. Arriving in the Crimea in June 1855 with ‘A’ Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, he witnessed service attached to the Cavalry Division under the command of Lieutenant General Sir J. Yorke Scarlet. This almost certainly involved reconnaissance and patrols aimed at cutting off the food supplies and reinforcements to the Russian forces at Sebastopol.

Present at the Battle of Tchernaya, ‘A’ Troop witnessed the fall of the Sardinian outposts and the successful French counter-attack against the Russians at the point of the bayonet. Retreating across the river in confusion, the Troop fired a few rounds at the enemy but achieved little at long range. The Crimean Campaign cost ‘A’ Troop 40 men killed or dead from disease and 20 wounded or sick. Returned home briefly, Thomas transferred to ‘F’ Troop and arrived in Bengal on 9 November 1857, just in time for the Action at Sekundra on 22 January 1858. A few weeks later, Thomas took part in the Attack on Dhowrara, where ‘F’ Troop opened up at 200 yards on the fort; the fugitive garrison were soon cut down by the cavalry as they attempted to flee.

Further engaged at Doadpore and the skirmish at Kandu River, ‘F’ Troop were later present at the Capture of Amithi, the Siege of Shunkerpore, the Capture of Rehora and Koeli, and the skirmish on the banks of the Gumti. At the latter, four guns intercepted a group of Beni Madho’s followers on their way to the Gumti and drove them across the river in great disorder. Further actions followed at Burgeediah, Banki, and the capture of the fort of Musjeediah on 27 December 1858. The Medal roll shows that 213 men of ‘F’ Troop were entitled to the Mutiny Medal with clasp Lucknow; as one of the 53 men who did not qualify, it seems possible that one gun was detached. The unit suffered 37 dead, 5 wounded and 8 invalided back to England. Returned to Woolwich on 28 April 1862, Thomas was discharged at Coventry from B/B. Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery on 18 June 1873. His Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded without gratuity in December, his name appearing nine times in the Regimental Defaulters Book, with one Court Martial.

Sold with an original carte de visite of the recipient wearing his full entitlement; and copied research.