Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A fine Second War ‘North-West Europe operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. Thomson, Royal Engineers, who received an immediate award for his services with the Irish Guards Armoured ‘Battle Group’, a unit of Horrocks’ famous XXX Corps, a few days before the War’s end Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1886162 Sjt. A. Thomson, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine and better (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award - approved by Montgomery in the Field on 14 May 1945 - states: ‘On 29 April 1945, Sergeant Thomson was commanding a Royal Engineers Reconnaissance Party with the Irish Guards Battle Group in the Hesedorf area. During the evening a patrol consisting of a troop of tanks, a platoon of infantry on foot and Sergeant Thomson with two Sappers, was sent into Bremervorde to capture the bridges, which were thought to be intact. On reaching the outskirts of the town, the patrol came under fire, which prevented further movement in daylight. At dusk, they advanced to the first bridge. This was blown, the gap being covered by enemy infantry dug-in on the far bank. Sergeant Thomson and the Infantry Platoon then went forward together to reconnoitre the remaining two bridges. When within a few yards of the second bridge they came under heavy fire from the enemy on the bridges, both of which were intact. They were forced to withdraw and made their way back across the gap under continuous fire, firing their own weapons as they came. During the withdrawal, Sergeant Thomson stopped to inspect the blown bridge and make an estimate of the gap. On his return, he wirelessed back to his unit a concise report of his reconnaissance, which was afterwards found to be most accurate. In this action, Sergeant Thomson showed great determination to complete his task, even in the face of heavy fire. His complete disregard of personal danger was worthy of the highest praise.’ Archibald Thomson, a native of Richmond, Yorkshire, was serving in No. 14 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, on attachment to the Irish Guards Armoured ‘Battle Group’, XXX Corps, at the time of the above related deeds. It is therefore worth speculating as to whether he had been similarly employed at the time of the relief of Arnhem operations in September 1944, when the same ‘Battle Group’ had been commanded by the colourful Vandeleur cousins, one of whom, Lieutenant-Colonel J. O. E. ‘Joe’ Vandeleur, D.S.O., was portrayed by Michael Caine in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’.