A scarce and well-documented campaign group of four awarded to Conductor G. Thorne, Indian Ordnance Department, late Colour Sergeant, Somerset Light Infantry, who was mentioned in despatches for the military operations in Aden 1917-18 and N.W. Persia 1920

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (1996 Color. Sergt. G. Thorne 1st Bn. Som. Lt. Infy.); British War Medal 1914-20, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Cond. G. Thorne, I.O.D.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, N. W. Persia, M.I.D. Oak Leaf (Condr. G. Thorne I.O.D.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Sub. Condtr. G. Thorne. Indian Ordce. Dept.) generally good very fine (4) £400-£500

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2004.

George Thorne was born at Shottery, near Stratford-on-Avon and enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry in July 1887, aged 20 years. Clearly a talented soldier, he attained the rank of Colour-Sergeant as early as November 1893, by which time, via garrison duty on Gibraltar, he was serving in India. He was subsequently employed in the Mohmand expedition on the Punjab Frontier in 1897.

Thorne transferred to the Indian Ordnance Department in the Punjab in May 1903, was attached to the 1st Royal Irish Regiment ‘for service on the Indian Unattached List in July 1908’ and advanced to Sub. Conductor in September 1909. Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in Indian Army Order 172 of 1911, and appointed a Conductor on the eve of the Great War, Thorne was attached to the Aden Field Force and was mentioned in despatches ‘for gallant and distinguished service in military operations in Aden from 16 August 1917 to 31 January 1918’ (London Gazette 7 April 1919 refers). Subsequent service in the North West Persia operations of 1920 was also recognised by a ‘mention’ from Lieutenant-General Sir J. A. L. Haldane, K.C.B., D.S.O. (dated 7 February 1921). Thorne returned to India and was finally placed on the pension establishment in May 1922.

Sold with both original M.I.D. certificates and parchment ‘Retirement Certificate of an Indian Departmental Warrant Officer’.

The recipient is also entitled to a Victory Medal.