Article about: Another recent addition to my great war medals collection is this 15 star Medal to Frederick Thomas #21024. I had wanted on to the local pals battalion from where I now live which is the 15t
Another recent addition to my great war medals collection is this 15 star Medal to Frederick Thomas #21024.
I had wanted on to the local pals battalion from where I now live which is the 15th Carmathenshire pals the Welsh Regiment.
This came from the collection of the author Steve John who has written two books on the subject, The Carmarthen Pals and Carmarthen in the Great War, both of which I have in my library.
A 1914/15 Star to Private Frederick Thomas (21024), 15th (Carmarthen) Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was one of the original members of the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (known as the Carmarthen Pals) and landed in France with the Battalion on 2 December 1915. He probably served with the battalion during its famous assault on Mametz Wood in July 1916 but at some time later was medically downgraded, either due to wounds or sickness, and transferred to the Labour Corps. A nice chance to purchase a medal to one of the Carmarthen Pals. Also entitled to the British War and Victory Medals, which are missing.
15th (Service) Battalion (Carmarthenshire)
Oct 1914 Formed by the Carmarthenshire County Committee as part of the 129th Brigade of the 43rd Division and then moved to Rhyl.
29.04.1915 Formation became the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division.
Aug 1915 Moved to Winchester.
Dec 1915 Mobilised for was and landed at Havre and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
1916
The Battle of Albert. (The Division suffered severe casualties and took the rest of the year to rebuild).
1917
The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of Langemark.
1918
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre.
11.11.1918 Ended the war at Ecuelin east of Aulnoye, France.
Any idea why he ended up in the Labour Corps Jerry? I always think of class Z as men who were either POW's or wounded and away from the front for a while before returning. I don't know if that's a correct assumption, it's just what goes around my head when I see class Z.
Any idea why he ended up in the Labour Corps Jerry? I always think of class Z as men who were either POW's or wounded and away from the front for a while before returning. I don't know if that's a correct assumption, it's just what goes around my head when I see class Z.
Another nightmare name to research
Tony
Tony, the seller is a well known specialist on the Carmarthen Pals and he said that Thomas had probably been wounded or sick and transferred to the Lab corps.
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