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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 106

A poignant Second World War pair awarded to Private T. W. Williams, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, one of up to 4,000 people who lost their lives when R.M.S. Lancastria was bombed and sunk off St. Nazaire on 17 June 1940

It was the largest loss of life in British maritime history, greater even than the combined losses of Titanic and Lusitania

Having taken a direct hit, Lancastria capsized in about 20 minutes, and those who managed to get clear were machine-gunned by the Luftwaffe in the water, whilst many more succumbed to thick oil fuel, much of which was set ablaze by incendiary bullets

Such was the scale of the disaster that Churchill ordered a media blackout and it was full five weeks before reports of the incident started to appear in The New York Times

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, in their original O.H.M.S. card forwarding box, with named condolence slip, extremely fine (2)

Thomas William Williams was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire on 28 July 1898, where he was employed as a fish house worker on the eve of hostilities in 1939.

He subsequently joined the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and was posted to 50 Company as part of the B.E.F. in France.

Loss of the Lancastria

Much has been written about the disaster that occurred off St. Nazaire on 17 June 1940, but by way of summary, the following extract is taken from Charles Hocking's Dictionary of Disasters at Sea:

'On 17 June 1940, the Cunard White Star Line's S.S. Lancastria, Captain J. Sharp, was lying off St. Nazaire takin on board British troops who were being evacuated from France. The embarkation began at 8 a.m. and continued until 4 p.m., by which time the liner was ready to weigh anchor. In addition to the soldiers there was a small party of about civilians, and their wives and children. As far as can be ascertained there were 5,310 persons on board, of whom 300 were crew.

The first attack by aircraft came about 2 p.m., followed after a short interval by a second raid. In these attacks the Orient liner Oronsay was hit and damaged but still remained seaworthy.

At about 4.30 p.m., in a third attack, the ship was struck by a salvo of bombs, one of which passed right through the dining saloon and burst in the engine room. The damage to the Lancastria was vital and she took a heavy list, and although the boats were got out with all possible speed it was evident from the outset that there was no hope of rescue for thousands of those on board. Only two lifeboats managed to get away, the others capsizing owing to difficulties with the falls or through being overloaded. Tugs and other small craft were quickly on the scene and picked up hundreds of men in the water.

The Lancastria remained afloat for barely 30 minutes, turning gradually over to port so that those still on board were able to walk upon her side as she lay. After floating in this position for some time she capsized completely and went down by the head.

Meanwhile the German airmen occupied themselves by firing from their machine-guns at the men in the water, and by firing incendiary bullets which set fire to the oil floating on the surface.

Of those on board 2,477 were saved, including Captain Sharp, who was picked up some hours later, and most of the civilian passengers. There was also a small number of people who came ashore singly or in very small parties, some of whom were captured and interned by the Germans.'

Thomas Williams was not among them. Aged 41, he left a widow, Jessica, of Hope Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and two children, Leslie and Ronald.

Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.

Sold with a quantity of original correspondence, comprising:

(i)
An Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps record office letter, dated 31 July 1940, reporting that the recipient had been posted as "missing".

(ii)
A letter from the recipient's C.O. to his widow, dated at Fonthill Barracks, Aberdeen, on 22 July 1940, in which he regrets her husband's almost certain loss in the Lancastria, aboard which 50 Company had been embarked.

(iii)
An official War Office 'Notification of Death', in the name of '13003443 Private Thomas William Williams, Pioneer Corps', who was 'killed in action at sea' on 17 June 1940.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£60