William Thomas Humm, 17th Lancers, ASC and Finnish Medal
Article about: What links Baron Mannerheim, Field-Marshall of the Finnish Army, and ex-Private William Thomas Humm, of the British Army? Carl Mannerheim was the son of a minor Finnish baron and served as a
William Thomas Humm, 17th Lancers, ASC and Finnish Medal
What links Baron Mannerheim, Field-Marshall of the Finnish Army, and ex-Private William Thomas Humm, of the British Army?
Carl Mannerheim was the son of a minor Finnish baron and served as an officer with the Imperial Russian Cavalry, seeing service in the Russo-Japanese War and World War One. A highly decorated and respected officer, he retired in 1917 and returned to Finland. In 1918 he commanded the Finnish White Army in the Independence War and was Regent of Finland while a new constitution was being drawn up.
William Thomas Humm was born in London in 1879, son of a London policeman. In September 1897 he enlisted in the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own). He served in South Africa during the Boer War and received the Queen's South Africa and King's South Africa Medals with clasps. He joined the Army Reserve in 1903 and was discharged in 1909. In June 1916 he joined the Army Service Corps as a Motor Transport Driver and served in France. He was discharged from the Army in March 1919. He took a job with Daimler Hire Limited, of Knightsbridge, London, as a chauffeur.
In September 1936 Mannerheim visited Britain as a guest of the British Government and was invited to observe armoured manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain. The Government hired a Daimler car and chauffeur for his use during the visit. I like to think that the two old cavalrymen found a mutual respect. Mannerheim recommended the award of the Medal of the White Rose of Finland to Humm, which was confirmed. He also wrote a letter to Daimler Hire Limited, complementing Humm on his service. Just three years later, a 72 year old Mannerheim would again command his nation's armed forces in their desperate struggle for the survival of Finland. No doubt, William Humm read the newspaper reports with great interest.
Yes a very interesting medal group. It would seem rather unusual to award a medal to a hire car chauffeur. I can only the agree the Baron and Humm must have got on like a house on fire.
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