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Auction: 14002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 12

An Extremely Rare Edward Medal (Industry) Group of Six to Railwayman A.D. Thomas [G.C.], Later Inspector, British Transport Police, For Rescuing a Fallen Worker From Under the Wheels of An Advancing Train at King's Cross, 14.1.1931
a) Edward Medal (Industry), G.V.R., 2nd type obverse, 2nd type reverse, silver (Arthur Devere Thomas.)
b) 1914-15 Star (73629 Pte. A.D. Thomas 28th Bn. Canadian Inf.), contemporarily renamed
c) British War and Victory Medals (73629 A.W.O.Cl.2. A.D. Thomas. 28-Can.Inf.)
d) Defence Medal
e) Police Long Service & G.C., E.II.R. (Inspr. Arthur D. Thomas), generally very fine or better

with the following original documentation:

- Letter from the Home Office informing recipient of the award of the Edward Medal, dated 31.3.1931; Original Copy of Citation on Secretary of State, Home Department paper
- Letter of Appreciation from the Metropolitan Railway to recipient, dated 27.4.1931
- Letter of congratulation from The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust to the recipient, dated 6.6.1931
- (2) Canadian Expeditionary Forces Pay Books; C.E.F. Discharge Certifcate
- Correspondence to the recipient from The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (lot)

E.M. London Gazette 31.3.1931 Arthur Devere Thomas, Railway Flagman, King's Cross Station, Metropolitan Railway, 'On the 14th January, 1931, Ernest Percival, who was engaged in dismantling a wooden staging fixed across the track of the Metropolitan Railway Station at King's Cross, slipped and fell, from a height of about 20 feet, to the permanent way of the down Inner Circle line. He was rendered unconscious and lay face downwards across one running rail with his head close to the negative rail of the electrified system.

Arthur Devere Thomas, who was acting as flagman for the protection of the workmen, saw Percival fall and at the same time heard a down train approaching the station round the curve. Realising that a signal could not be seen by the driver in time for him to stop the train, Thomas immediately jumped down from the platform to the up line and, running across two positive and two negative rails carrying 600 volts, snatched Percival up almost under the wheels of the approaching train, and held him, still unconscious, in a small recess in the wall whilst the train passed within a few inches of them. By reason of his employment, Thomas must have been fully aware of the risks he faced and he displayed conspicuous gallantry in successfully effecting the rescue of Percival.'

Arthur Devere Thomas, G.C. (1895-1973), born London; emigrated with his family to Saskatchewan, Canada, 1908; worked on a farm prior to enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 22.10.1914; allocated to the 28th Battalion, he arrived in the UK, May 1915; he served in the French theatre of war from, September 1915; seeing action at St. Eloi, Hooge and the Somme; contracted influenza in 1917 and was sent to England to recuperate in Hospital; he took an English wife, at Willesden, December 1917; discharged with the rank of Acting Company Sergeant-Major, in New Brunswick, Canada, 10.4.1919; he returned to the UK, and was employed by the Metropolitan Railway from 1931; a matter of days latter he carried out his gallant rescue; he subsequently joined the British Transport Police, and retired with the rank of Inspector in 1956; he died at Harrow, Middlesex and his funeral was carried out at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip.

1 of 2 Edward Medals (Industry), G.V.R., 2nd type, silver awarded. Only 14 Edward Medals have been awarded to railwaymen of the United Kingdom; 3 in silver and 11 in bronze.

On 21st October 1971 living recipients of the Edward Medal were deemed, by Royal Warrant, to be recipients of the George Cross, and were invited to exchange their awards; two silver (including Thomas) and seven bronze medallists elected not to do so.

Provenance:
Christie, November 1989

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Sold for
£5,500