John Thomas
Lance-Corporal, 2nd/5th Battalion. North Staffordshire Regiment
- Register No.
- 1210 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Lance Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 2nd/5th Battalion. North Staffordshire Regiment (register: Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment)) all Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 30 November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 13th February, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 10th May 1886 at Openshaw, Manchester
- Died
- the 28th February, 1954 at Stockport, Cheshire
- Memorial / grave
- at Stockport Borough Cemetery, Cheshire and at the Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On seeing that the enemy were making preparations for a counter-attack on 30th November 1917 at Fontaine, France, Lance-Corporal Thomas, along with a comrade, on his own initiative, decided to reconnoitre from a closer position. The two men, in broad daylight and in full view the enemy, under extremely heavy machine-gun fire, made their way forward. His comrade became a casualty within a few yards of the trench, Lance-Corporal Thomas, undeterred, made his way alone. Whilst making his way around a small copse, in order to push on to a building used by the enemy as a night post, he encountered and shot three snipers. From this position he could see where and when the enemy troops were assembling. He stayed for one hour in this position, during which time he sniped at the enemy to great effect. He returned to his own lines, after three hours, with intelligence of great value that enables definite plans to be made and the artillery fire could be brought on to where the enemy was most concentrated, allowing it to break up the attack when it began
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
THOMAS, John. (reg No. 1210).
Lance-Corporal. 2nd/5th Battalion. North Staffordshire Regiment.
London Gazetted on the 13th February, 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 10th May 1886 at Openshaw, Manchester.
Died on the 28th February, 1954 at Stockport, Cheshire.
Memorial on grave at Stockport Borough Cemetery, Cheshire and at the Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On seeing that the enemy were making preparations for a counter-attack on 30th November 1917 at Fontaine, France, Lance-Corporal Thomas, along with a comrade, on his own initiative, decided to reconnoitre from a closer position. The two men, in broad daylight and in full view the enemy, under extremely heavy machine-gun fire, made their way forward. His comrade became a casualty within a few yards of the trench, Lance-Corporal Thomas, undeterred, made his way alone. Whilst making his way around a small copse, in order to push on to a building used by the enemy as a night post, he encountered and shot three snipers. From this position he could see where and when the enemy troops were assembling. He stayed for one hour in this position, during which time he sniped at the enemy to great effect. He returned to his own lines, after three hours, with intelligence of great value that enables definite plans to be made and the artillery fire could be brought on to where the enemy was most concentrated, allowing it to break up the attack when it began.
Additional information:. Sergeant Thomas was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Thomas, a boot and shoe maker. On 11th June 1919, he married Amelia Wood at St Matthew's Church, Douglas, Isle of Man . He worked extremely hard for a living, suffering from the effects of shell concussion he received at the time he was blown up at Bullecourt, in March 1918. He, at that time, received a pension for partial disablement of nine shilling and four pence a week. ( Less than 50p today) .
Additional information
Sergeant Thomas was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Thomas, a boot and shoe maker. On 11th June 1919, he married Amelia Wood at St Matthew's Church, Douglas, Isle of Man . He worked extremely hard for a living, suffering from the effects of shell concussion he received at the time he was blown up at Bullecourt, in March 1918. He, at that time, received a pension for partial disablement of nine shilling and four pence a week. ( Less than 50p today) .
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Stockport Borough Cemetery, Cheshire and at the Garrison Church, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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