Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sapper J. P. Thomas Royal Engineers, late Royal Sappers and Miners, who was wounded at the Siege of Kotah on 29 March 1858 during the Indian Mutiny

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol ((no. 1077. Jas. P. Thomas. R.S.M.) contemporarily engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Sapper. J. P. Thomas. 11th. Compy. Ryl. Engrs.) ‘Compy’ double struck in parts; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (No. 1077 James Thomas Royal S. and Miners) contemporarily engraved naming, plugged and fitted with a Crimea-style suspension, edge bruising, good fine and better (3) £500-£700

James Percy Thomas was born on a ship en route to Barbados on 10 January 1831, and enlisted into the Army as a Bugler on 14 November 1845. At the age of 18 he was confirmed as a Sapper, and served during this military career in Gibraltar, Turkey, the Crimea, the East Indies, Mauritius, and the Cape of Good Hope.

During the Crimean War Thomas’ unit, the Royal Sappers and Miners, served with great distinction especially in attacking the Russian fortifications. Their skills and bravery in these attacks were well recognised, and ‘follow the Sapper’ became a byword in the Crimea. In addition to leading the assaults, they were involved in the destruction of Russian defences and the repair of the British defences; they also laid the first field telegraph line for a distance of 25 miles. He was later wounded during the Indian Mutiny when gun powder exploded causing slight burns on face and limbs during the Siege of Kotah on 29 March 1858.

Discharged after 21 years’ service, Thoams subsequently settled in Bathurst, East Cape, South Africa, with his trade at discharge listed as carpenter and he was to reside at Bathurst, East Cape, South Africa. He died at Ragland Road, Grahamstown, South Africa, on 26 July 1911, with the following obituary appearing in the local press:

‘Crimean Veteran’s Death. Another old and respected citizen has passed away in the person of Mr. James Percy Thomas, whose death occurred yesterday morning at his residence in Raglan Road at the age of 81. The deceased, who served through the Crimea from start to finish, had been in failing health for some time past. Born in Kent in January, 1830 he came from a military family, his father and grandfather both belonging at the time to the Royal Engineers. He was for a time attached to the 11th Company in Grahamstown. For his services he received three medals, viz. Crimea 1854 with three bars, Alma, Inkermann and Sebastopol; a second Crimea Medal in 1855; and a third medal for Central Indian service in 1857-58. The deceased leaves a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. One of the sons is the manager of a bank in Canada, while two others are engaged in business in Queenstown, besides one daughter in Victoria West, and another in Pretoria. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock and military honours will be accorded. The widow desires to express her thanks to Dr. Saunders for his untiring attendance.’