soldier-of-the-month_Thomas

www.cameronians.org

click here to print this page

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH

Brigadier William Bain Thomas, C.B.E., D.S.O.

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)


Brigadier William Bain Thomas

Brigadier William Bain Thomas C.B.E., D.S.O spent the majority of his army career with The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and is best known for commanding the 1st Battalion during the 1942 Burma campaign. Thomas, or “Tomasso” as he was known in the regiment, was commissioned into The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in April 1916 from Sandhurst, one month before his 18th Birthday. He then served on the Western Front from March 1917 until he was wounded in March 1918.

After the war and recovered from his injuries, Brigadier Thomas accompanied the 2nd Battalion to India where he served for 8 years, including the famous regimental expedition into Kurdistan in 1923. After a short period serving as an adjutant for an Indian Regiment, Thomas was posted to Secunderabad, India as 2nd in Command to the 1st Battalion in April 1940, and a few months later he took over its command.

In early 1942 when the Japanese began their push into Burma, the 1st Battalion were sent to Burma to join the British forces fighting there. The Battalion suffered heavy losses during the campaign and subsequent withdrew, however Thomas was commended for his able and calm style of leadership. He was awarded a DSO for his conspicuous gallantry in the handling of the Battalion during the 1st Burma Campaign.

In October 1942 Thomas was appointed to the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade and led them back into Burma in its advance two months later. In May 1943 he was sent to command the army in India Tactical School at Poona due to the expert knowledge he had built up in jungle tactics.

Brigadier Thomas then returned to the command of the 1st Battalion in Malaya in 1945 where he had the proud distinction of receiving the swords of Lieutenant General Senechi Tazaka, who had been the commander of the Singapore Defences when the Japanese forces surrendered in December 1945. When the regiment returned home, Thomas stayed on in Malaya where he was appointed as Commander of the North Malaya Sub-Area.

In June of 1946 Brigadier Thomas was awarded a C.B.E in the Birthday Honours List which he received from the King in January 1947 at Buckingham Palace. His final posting was to Witley in Wiltshire where he commanded the Polish Resettlement Corps until his retirement from the army in 1952, after 36 years service. Brigadier Thomas died on the 22nd of November 1967 at the age of 70.

The medals of Brigadier Thomas have recently been donated to the museum and will shortly be going on display.

Back to 'Soldier of the Month' index page >>