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Thomson, Charles Newbigging

    Service number:
    36839
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Charles Newbigging Thomson also received the OBE (January 1st, 1951) and the CBE (January 1st, 1967).

    Promotions:
    January 26th, 1932: Captain;
    ?: Major;
    ?: Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel;
    May 1st, 1947: Lieutenant-Colonel;
    March 1st, 1950: Colonel.

    Career:
    June 1st, 1956: Deputy Lieutenant, County of the City of Dundee;
    June 17th, 1965: Retirement Royal Army;
    July 17th, 1965: Honorary Colonel 4/5th Bn., The Black Watch;
    ?: Chairman, Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association for the County of Angus and the City of Dundee;
    April 1st, 1969 - March 31st, 1971: Honorary Colonel 3rd (Territorial) Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal' Highland Regiment);
    August 19th, 1977: Deputy Lieutenant, District of Angus.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
    Unit:
    5th Battalion Black Watch, 153rd Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    July 8th, 1943
    Received in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.

    LG 36083/3086.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
    Unit:
    5th Battalion Black Watch, 153rd Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, British Army
    Awarded on:
    October 21st, 1943
    Recommendation:
    "On the night of 17/18 July the 5th Bn The Black Watch made a silent night advance of 4000 yds and attacked the river bridge at SFERRO. They succeeded in making a small bridgehead and were then continuously attacked throughout the night by armoured cars, tanks and infantry. In spite of the isolated position in which the battalion was, it fought with the greatest gallantry all through the night and hung on to its gain.
    The following day it withstood, during a hot and trying day, very heavy and accurate shelling without flinching. This operation enabled a further thrust to be made on the following night to secure this vital bridgehead.
    The success of the operation was due to the determined leadership of Lt-Col. Thomson. There are few Bns which could have succeeded where 5 Black Watch succeeded and Lt-Col. Thomson was its inspiration."

    LG 36217/4661.
    Second DSO received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSO.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
    Awarded on:
    January 13th, 1944
    Received in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.

    LG 36327/265.
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
    Awarded on:
    September 21st, 1944

    LG 36710/4372.
    Efficiency Medal / Territorial Decoration
    Period:
    After War Period (1945-now)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1951
    Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
    Period:
    After War Period (1945-now)
    Rank:
    Colonel
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1967
    Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

    Sources

    • - DSO Recommendation
      - The London Gazette of 5th April 1932, Issue 33814
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th July 1943, Issue 36083, dated 8th July 1943
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th October 1943, Issue 36217, dated 21st October 1943
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th January 1944, Issue 36327, dated 13th January 1944
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th September 1944, Issue 36710, dated 21st September 1944
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st August 1947, Issue 38034, dated 5th August 1947
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th December 1950, Issue 39104, dated 1st January 1951
      - Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th December 1950, Issue 39110, dated 2nd January 1951
      - The London Gazette of 8th June 1956, Issue 40801
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 17th October 1958, Issue 41527, dated 21st October 1958
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 17th September 1965, Issue 43768, dated 21st September 1965
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th December 1966, Issue 44210, dated 1st January 1967
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th March 1970, Issue 45055, dated 10 March 1970
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th February 1972, Issue 45592, dated 8th February 1972
      - The London Gazette of 1st September 1977, Issue 47313

    Photo