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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 417

Three: Private M. Thomas, 'D' Company, 13th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, a victim of shell shock who went on to serve during aftermath of the aborted 'Operation Hush' landings, and was taken prisoner on the dunes of Nieuport to be held in the famous Lumburg an der Lahn prison camp

1914-15 Star (R-3887 Pte. M. Thomas, K.R.Rif:C.); British War and Victory Medals (R-3887 Pte. M. Thomas, K.R.Rif.C.), nearly extremely fine (3)

Provenance:
Spink April 2019.

Masnel Thomas was born at Barry, Glamorgan in August 1893. Entering the war in France on 30 July 1915 with the 13th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. This unit was present for the Battle of Loos and the next year the Battle of the Somme, notably during the fighting at Morval. Thomas was seriously affected by the combat being noted as suffering from Shell Shock on 27 June 1916 he was taken to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport on 29 June. Returning to Britain the next month on 27 July he recovered at King George's Hospital and returned to the front in February 1917.

Posted to the 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps he served with 'D' Company during the fighting at Nieuport. The Battalion was one of those stationed here to support the 'Operation Hush' landings only to be caught in the Operation 'Strandfest' spoiling attack launched by the Marinekorps-Flandern on 10 July 1917. Artillery, gas and flamethrowers left the British defences in ruins and of the 20 officers and 520 other ranks 17 officers and 481 other ranks became casualties.

Thomas became a prisoner and was taken to the famous Limberg an der Lahn camp along with a large number of Irish prisoners including Roger Casement on of the Easter Rising Leaders. When it became clear that very few of the prisoners would rally to the nationalist cause the German guards began to treat them harshly. Thomas survived the ordeal of the camp and was repatriated, being discharged on 11 March 1919, he died at Swansea Hospital on 3 October 1955; sold together with former auction listing.

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Sold for
£75

Starting price
£70