Description
Member of the Order of the British Empire Breast Badge, 2nd Type, Civil issue, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, War Medal, Captain William James Thom MBE, Merchant Navy.
MBE awarded in the 1953 New Years Honours as Master of the SS Rutland, Currie Line Ltd.
MBE Breast Badge in fitted Royal Mint case of issue, on mounting pin as issued and with instructions for wear card.
With 2 original letters to him in 10 Downing Street envelope providing attribution:
1. Letter from the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street asking if he wished his name to be submitted to the Queen for the award of the MBE.
2. Letter from Secretary of the Central Chancery dated 13th February 1953, Brigadier Ivan de la Bere, with details of the upcoming investiture for him at Buckingham Palace scheduled for the 3rd March 1953.
Captain William James Thom, was born by the seaside in South Shields, Durham on 25th August 1901.
But spent most of his life in Edinburgh, where he was employed by the “Currie Line”.
Being a little young to see any service in World War 1, he took on the role of a young Apprentice in the Merchant Navy right as the war had finished from 8th November 1918 when he was Apprentice on Ship No 140718, a local Steamship the Screw Steamer Cairnvalona.
He soon after became a 3rd Mate based out of the Leith Office, likely starting his long career with Scottish Shipping.
He got his certificate, becoming a Second Mate of a Foreign Going Steamship in the Merchant Service on 10th October 1922.
Soon after claiming his Certificate of Competency as First Mate on 11th September 1924.
Rising to be Master of his own ship, he was notably the Ships Captain of SS Rutland by 1953 and likely many more ships before that date and during WW2.
One such entry from WW2, shows his entry into Detroit, Michigan dated 13th August 1942, where the 40 year old “Master Mariner” was passing through to “Joining S.S. Kimball Harlow in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.”
He had landed at Halifax in Canada on the SS Beaverhill on 13th August 1942, passing over the border to Michigan.
He later died during 1980 in Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire.
