Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A particularly fine Second World War Tunis operations M.C. group of seven awarded to Major G. Thomson, 5th Royal Tank Regiment, the citation noting ‘his one aim at all times has been to kill Germans, an admirable intention which he has fully achieved’

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1943’, in its Royal Mint case of issue, with original named Buckingham Palace and War Office transmission letters, and named and addressed registered packet; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (7) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 25 November 1943:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’

The original recommendation states:

‘He has commanded a Troop of Shermans in this unit for the whole of the period 18 February-31 May 1943 which is under review, and has been in every action with the Battalion during this time. Throughout he has shown outstanding courage, initiative and ability in the leading of his troop. His keenness at all times to get at close grips with the enemy has been most marked. His one aim at all times has been to kill Germans, an admirable intention which he has fully achieved.

An example of his outstanding enterprise and gallantry was his action on 7 May 1943. His troop was doing protection front to the Battalion at Map reference J. 9051 and was approaching the last line of defences before Tunis. Captain Thomson saw an enemy force of 4 x 88mm. and 1 x 50mm. A/.Tk. guns, plus three lorry loads of infantry hurriedly taking up defensive positions on this line. He very rapidly appreciated the situation, took up battle positions and engaged the enemy, he himself coming under heavy fire. He soon knocked out two of the 88mms and the 50mm. The other two 88mms were so accurately engaged by him that he forced the crews to abandon the guns, which were later captured intact. The infantry scattered and were subsequently mopped-up.

This action enabled the Battalion to continue its advance directly into Tunis considerably earlier than was anticipated and broke up the enemy’s last attempt to establish a defensive line covering the town. His initiative, personal gallantry and outstanding leadership and spirit are an inspiration to all ranks and I have no hesitation in recommending him for a Periodical Award of the M.C.’

George Thomson, a native of Tranent, East Lothian, was decorated for his gallant deeds in 5th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, a component of the famous “Desert Rats”, 7th Armoured Division. Subsequently engaged in the Italy operations, and in the North-West Europe campaign, he was serving as Squadron C.O. of ‘B’ Squadron when accidentally shot and badly wounded at Aunay sur Odon, near Caen, on 3 August 1944. Returning from a meeting with his opposite number in ‘A’ Squadron whilst the two squadrons were in a very critical situation, having lost some 20 tanks, he was challenged by one of his Sergeant Tank Commanders who, hearing no reply, opened up with his machine-gun. Thomson is understood to have been hit by five bullets, including one in the stomach and another in the shoulder. He was placed on the back of his 2 i/c’s tank as they proceeded to break out through the surrounding German tank division back to the rest of the regiment, losing another three tanks in the process. Thomson spent nearly two years in hospital recovering from his wounds; sold with an original wartime envelope addressed to the recipient from his C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel Holliman, in September 1944, together with a quantity of research, including letters from some of his fellow R.T.R. officers.