The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery

A fine Second War ‘North Africa 1943’ Immediate D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Brigadier H. Thorne Thorne, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated 1943, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Brig. H. Thorne-Thorne. D.S.O. Staff.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, minor chips to wreaths of the first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (8) £2,600-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 19 August 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:- Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Houghton Thorne-Thorne, Royal Regiment of Artillery (Woking).’

The original recommendation for an Immediate D.S.O. was submitted by Brigadier H. K. Dimoline, C.R.A. 4th Indian Division:

‘Major (T/Lt-Col) Houghton THORNE-THORNE, 1st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 4 Indian Division.
For outstanding ability, courage and devotion to duty during the battle for the GARCI feature on 20-22 April 1943.
Lt-Col THORNE-THORNE acted in direct support on 5 Ind Inf Bde and controlled the fire not only of of his own Regt but that of Army Field Regts affiliated to the Bde. He acted throughout the 72 hours operation with coolness and outstanding ability bringing the fire of these Regts to bear time and again, upon concentration and assembly areas with speed and precision. Through his quick action and decision he beat off serious counter attacks with the fire of his guns alone. The marked efficiency of his ceaseless and untiring work was appreciated during the battle by more than one personal message from Bn Comds asking the C.R.A, to convey their thanks to him. Infantry exposed on the bare rocky hills to ceaseless mortar, shell and MMG fire have never been in a more precarious situation. It was in part measure due to Lt-Col THORNE-THORNE that this tired infantry held its ground and never yielded a yard.’

Houghton Thorne-Thorne was born on 12 April 1903, educated at Harrow and was a direct entry to R.M.A., Woolwich from school. Commissioned into the Royal Artillery on 30 January 1924, he retired on 21 May 1956, and died on 14 March 1982.

Sold with original documents including warrant for D.S.O., M.I.D. Certificate (23 May 1946), named Buckingham Palace Certificate for Coronation medal, O.T.C. Harrow School Certificate “A”, commission document as Second Lieutenant 30 January 1924, a confidential report from 1933 when stationed in India, and contemporary copy of recommendation for D.S.O.