Date of birth:

July 23rd, 1893 (Marylebone, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

August 29th, 1972 (Salisbury, Rhodesia)

Service number:

1374

Nationality:

British

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1917

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Acting Major

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1917

Awarded as bar on the ribbon of the first medal

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Acting Major

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1917

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his battery was being relieved the position was shelled by an intense bombardment, which lasted for over two hours and caused many casualties in Loth batteries. The pits and ammunition of one section caught fire, and he succeeded in extinguishing this Later, the telephone pit and mess shelter were wrecked, and he immediately led the way to the rescue of wounded men inside. The camouflage nets of three more guns were then set alight, and the ammunition began to catch fire. This he also saved by tearing down the burning camouflage and smothering the smouldering ammunition, some of which had already begun to explode. Not until all the fires had been extinguished, and he had seen every man, both wounded and unwounded, clear of the position, did he seek cover for himself. His great gallantry and exceptional coolness throughout the whole of this time were worthy of the highest praise."

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Captain

Awarded on:

December 14th, 1917

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Awarded on:

March 22nd, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Awarded on:

August 9th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant General

Awarded on:

April 4th, 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1947

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1947

Royal decree no. 29, dd. 24-4-1946.

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

July 8th, 1950

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1952

With palm

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1952

With palm

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

June 5th, 1952

2 September 1944 WO 171/1286 - 4 Dorsets
Div. Comdr. Maj.Gen. Thomas spoke to all personnel of 130 Bde on recent operations and presented 6 medals to members of the Bde.

10 September 1944 WO 171/3494 - 104 Town Major
Thanksgiving and liberation Ceremony to the Allied Armies held by the FFI and civilians, followed by a service at the Notre Dame, VERNON. This was attended by General Thomas, Commander 43 Div. A Guard of Honour atteended.

19 October 1944 WO 171/838 - 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards
"A" Sqn. carried out demonstration for the Inf. in the afternoon comprised of the Echelon under the RSM playing the part of the Inf. The demonstration was successful in showing the desirability of only having one Tp up supporting two Platoons in an advance on 200 yd. front, with a second Tp behind as against one Tp with each Platoon. GOC 43 Div. (General Thomas) watched latter part of the demonstration. The Adjutant and I.O. attended the demonstration by night of Crocodiles flame throwers, and saw how the Inf. can work over the ground on to which the flame has been thrown. RHQ had a large number of shells landing in their area during the night, buth the only casualties were two wounded and a 15 cwt. damaged.

19 October 1944 WO 171/1286 - 4 Dorsets
Demonstration by 4/7 Dragoon Gds for officers and Sjts of 130 Bde area 718537. Div Comd was present. Demonstration showed fire power of the tank and 2 ways of co-operation with the Infantry.

16 November 1944 WO 171/1286 - 4 Dorsets
Div Comd visited Bn HQ.

14 December 1944 WO 171/1306 - 7 Hampshire Regiment
Trg contd. CO and a percentage of Officers and ORs attended an investiture at BRUNSUM when Maj Gen Thomas (Comd 43 Div) presented medal ribbons to members of the Division including two out of four MMs to members of the bn.

31 December 1944 WO 171/837 - 2 Household Cavalry
The question of protection of ARDENNE br was most difficult. The Americans had a strong detachment with Anti-tk Guns there and the small inf force 2 HCR could provide from 11 Fd Coy could not be of great help there. CO after a round of visits incl one to 30 Corps where the Chief of Staff 2 Army was rung up arranged that though the responsibility was British the US forces would look after the close protection of the br. 2 HCR maintaining the closest contact with them by L.O. However Acting Comd 30 Corps Maj Gen Thomas crossed the br during the evening and decided that a British Detachment must be there in addition. Luckily Capt. Balding was available to be L.O. with the US force concerned and after a late visit to the br by C.O. who had OC D Sqn and OC 11 Fd Coy to meet him at the br all was tied up happily. The weather was still very wintry with hard frost but all tps were under cover. The ARDENNES battle was much more hopeful and our task on the Meuse was petering out fact. Once again even after nearly 6 months abroad 2 HCR senior Offrs were almost unchanged.

• - Nederlandse onderscheidingen aan Britse staatsburgers voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog
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  - Recommendation for Award for Thomas, Gwilyn Ivor Rank: Major General Service... | The National Archives
  - Recommendation for Award for Thomas, Gwilym Ivor Rank: Major General Service... | The National Archives