THOMAS, John Francis
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Known as:
Jack
Rank:
Lieutenant (later Brigadier)
Unit / Base:
6 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
1st Lifeguards
Welch Regiment
Parachute Regiment
Royal Artillery
Corps of Royal Military Police
Service:
Army
Number:
296218
346187
Honours & Awards:
Died :
Friday, January 29, 2021
Age:
94
No.6 Commando. President of the Commando Veterans Association until November 2016.
Military Service
Enlisted 1st Lifeguards rank Trooper [1][1a].
Injured in a motor transport accident in the muster area just prior to embarkation for Normandy on Operation Overlord [1].
21 April 1945 commissioned from O.C.T.U. Second Lieutenant, Welch Regiment [2].
Attached No.6 Commando [1][3].
29 November 1945 attached to the Parachute Regiment rank Lieutenant. Served with 1 Para in Palestine until July 1946. Wounded when his jeep drove over a landmine during a raid by the Irgan Zwai Leumi on the Ein Shemer Airfield [1][4].
1947 returned to the Welch Regiment [5].
22 January 1949 transferred Royal Artillery. Served 33 and 66 Airborne Light Regiments [1][6].
25 June 1953 promoted Captain, Royal Artillery [7].
27 January 1960 transferred to Corps of Royal Military Police [8].
25 June 1960 promoted Major [9].
30 June 1970 promoted Lieutenant Colonel [10].
June 1972 appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [11].
30 June 1974 promoted Colonel [12].
30 June 1980 promoted Brigadier [13].
June 1982 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [14].
30 July 1983 retired from military service [15].
Sources
[1] The Parachute Regimental Association Obituary.
[1a] Original Service number in London Gazette 37092, page 2658.
[2] London Gazette 37092, page 2658.
[3] Commando Association.
[4] London Gazette 37454, page 801.
[5] London Gazette 38024, page 3487 dated 25 July 1947.
[6] London Gazette 38517, page 377.
[7] London Gazette 39896, page 3519.
[8] London Gazette 41937, page 690.
[9] London Gazette 42073, page 4427.
[10] London Gazette 45138, page 7187.
[11] London Gazette 45678, page 6260 (H.M. the Queen Birthday Honours).
[12] London Gazette 46349, page 7897.
[13] London Gazette 48245, page 9714.
[14] London Gazette 49008, page 6 (H.M. the Queen Birthday Honours).
[15] London Gazette 49440, page 10535.
[Image] Nick Collins.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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