Lot 53
Tragic Miniature Great War MC, WW2, TD Group

The Petra Collection of Medals to the 22nd Foot (The Cheshire Regiment) & Other Properties | M26001
Auction: 12 February 2026 10:30 GMT
Description
The Tragic Great War Miniature Military Cross, Territorial Decoration Group of 7 attributed to Lieutenant Colonel, Brevet Colonel Dr. John Oscar Thomas. Royal Army Medical Corps Commanding Officer of 16 General Hospital Middle East formerly Commanding Officer of No 140 (County of London) Field Ambulance; who “dressed a wounded officer and man under Heavy fire” to receive his MC, and who lost his life whilst swimming at Herne Bay in September 1944 comprising, Military Cross, GVR, 1914-15 Star, , 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medal, 1935 Jubilee Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal, Territorial Decoration, contemporarily mounted for wear Very fine (7)
Military Cross The London Gazette 18th July 1918
T/Capt. John Oscar Thomas, R.A.M.C.
For Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He dressed a wounded officer and man under heavy fire and got them to a place of safety. He showed great coolness and courage.
Dr John Oscar Thomas, a well-known Rochester Doctor, practicing at 19, Victoria Street, lost his life whilst bathing at Herne Bay on Sunday. He was aged 52 and married. He was seen about 5pm to come from the bathing huts near Kings Hall in a bathing costume, enter the sea and swim strongly in an easterly direction. Apparently no one saw him afterwards, and on his clothes being found in the bathing huts and the Police being informed a search was mad of the beach and cliffs until dark without success. Early on Monday morning Dr Thomas’ body was found lying on the foreshore about 150 yards east of Reculver Towers, some two miles from where the deceased went into the sea.
Copied London Gazette Entries for promotions and MC. Copy Newspaper and probate reports re death. He is not Commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

