WW2 British Medal & Document Grouping To Thomas Sweeney

For sale is a Rare & Large WW2 British Medal & Document Grouping To Thomas Sweeney.

    This Document and medal grouping all belongs to 14440733 Thomas Sweeney, whom started his military career in the city of Glasgow 2nd battalion home guard aged 15/ 16 years of age in August 1940.     Thomas Sweeneys year of birth 20th September 1924. The description of the soldier upon enlisting is Height 5ft 4 inches, complexion described as fresh, brown eyes, brown hair, marks & scars visible mole between scapula, blood type A positive. He was aged 19 years old upon enlisting.     His military conduct was described as exemplary, and it states; “mr Sweeney is an extremely loyal, honest, hard-working individual, who has a lively mind, and always takes a keen interest in all activities, with which he is committed. He is energetic and versatile, and quite at home in surprisingly large military staff or taking on work himself. He is intelligent, quick to Cross Bay point, and always ready to accept responsibility. He is always ready to give up his all time to his duties. Nevertheless, he has a cheerful outlook, keep himself fit, and maintains many outside interest. Thoroughly recommend for any position requiring hard-working and a sense of responsibility.”     Army trades in which qualified; he was qualified as a clerk on the 22.4.1953, Graded a very good clerk in 1951, and chief clerk 21st January 1954.     Assessment of proficiency as a treatment and ability to supervise; “ mr Sweeney has a thorough knowledge of office procedures and has been extremely capable in carrying out the duties of chief clerk of a military headquarters. His output is above average, and he is extremely…… he organises his work well, and his effort are always neat and well prepared. He has had considerable experience in the supervision of military and civilian staff and has always had it and efficient and conducted team.”     Thomas Sweeney served with the 2nd Battalion, City of Glasgow Home Guard   For approximately three years starting in august 1940 and then joined the general service corps from 12th September 1943 onwards. Thomas Sweeney was only 15/16 years of age when he started serving with the 2nd battalion City of Glasgow Home Guard. This proficiency certificate states that “I hereby certify the Lance Corporal Sweeney, Thomas of D company, 2 Glasgow H.G Italian home guard, has qualified in the proficiency test, as lay down in a pamphlet, qualifications for and conditions, govern in the order of the home, guard and certificates for the following subjects; general knowledge, 36 M grenade, light machine-gun, battle craft, map reading” Thomas Sweeney was described as the following “ served in the second battalion Glasgow, Vanguard since August 1940. Promoted to Lance Corporal, 14th of January 1943, has proved himself very efficient and consummate as a young leader”. The 2nd battalion city of Glasgow home guard battalion was affiliated to the Highland Light Infantry whose cap badge they wore. The Battalion was formed in May 1940 by the redesignation of the Local Defence Volunteer company and was made up of platoons men in reserved occupations and those over or under age to serve in the armed forces. They wore an army style khaki uniform and were equipped with a few rifles.     Thomas Sweeney’s service records is as follows;     2nd Battalion city of Glasgow home guard; home; august 1940- 12th September 1943     General Service Corps; Home; 29.9.1943-15.3.1944     Highland light Infantry; 16.3.1944-17.7.1945     Highland light Infantry; india; 18.7.1945-14.11.1945     Royal army service corps; India; 15.11.1945-11.7.1947     Royal army service corps; Home; 12.7.1947- 29.9.1949     Royal army service corps; BETFOR; 30.9.1949-24.11.1952     Royal army service corps; home; 25.11.1952-3.4.1956     Royal army service corps; Gibraltar:4.4.1956- 28.7.1959     Royal army service corps; home; 25.11.1959- 10.5.1961     Royal army service corps; Hong Kong; 11.5.1961-3.1.1965     Royal army service corps; home; 4.1.1965-13.7.1965     Royal army ordnance corps; home; 15.7.1965-14.7.1967     Thomas Sweeney was entitled and awarded the 1939-45 star, the Burma star, the British defence medal, the British war medal and a long service and good conduct medal. All these medals are present and are engraved the following; “S/14440733 S.Sgt T.Sweeney. R.A.S.C”. All medals are mounted onto a medal bar so that Thomas Sweeney could wear them.     Thomas Sweeney was discharged on the 14th July 1967, at the rank of W.O.I (S.S.M), Warrant Officer 1st Class, (Staff sergeant major). The reason for discharging was because his wife was sick and he wanted to spend more time with her. He discharged from the royal army ordnance corps after serving 23 years and 254 days in the army service and 35 days in the reserves. A total of 23 years and 289 days of service, with the discharge certificate signed 22nd June 1967.     This medal grouping includes;     1. Ww2 Regular Army Certificate Of Service Book.   2. WW2 Certificate of proficiency Home Guard dated 12 September 1943, stationed with 2nd Glasgow home guard.   3. On active service New Testament issued to T Sweeney L/Cpl Highland Light Infantry on the 2nd July 1944.   4. Complete Mounted Medal Bar Including; 1939-45 star, the Burma star, the British defence medal, the British war medal and a long service and good conduct medal. All these medals are present and are engraved the following; “S/14440733 S.Sgt T.Sweeney. R.A.S.C”.   5. A long service and good conduct medal box awarded and written on to S/14440733 S.Sgt T.Sweeney. R.A.S.C. The box is also accompanied by the original brown paper medal envelope.   6. Wellstood company of St Andrews ambulance association corps no 100, membership certificate card dated 31st March 1994.   7. Vintage 1990s St Andrews ambulance association long and efficient service full sized silver medal & ribbon   8. A pewter 1990s commemorative St Andrews ambulance association flask which is engraved “ “Presented to Thomas for 18 years active service to St Andrews ambulance corps”.   9. A Roll Of Honor Palma Non Sine Pulvere enamelled, silver hallmarked medal awarded & engraved to; “bro Thomas Sweeney queen of the fairies Lodge, number 6336 exalted 7.11.1962   10. A Rare Late 1950s Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) Gibraltar Sterling Silver Medal. Engraved on the back to Bro T Sweeney.   11. A small brown leather wallet from the 1940s containing a selection of 13 Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) bits of paperwork including a certificate of membership for the year 1952. Including a newspaper clipping showing a photograph of Bro T Sweeney at the The China Provincial Grand Lodge, RAOB (GLE), held their an- nual dinner and dance at the Peninsula Hotel last night. The func- tion was attended by more than 250 people, and guest of honour was Bro R. Green, a former President. Newspaper article is dated December 2nd 1962.   12. Ww2 dated 1943 certified copy of attestation for Thomas Sweeney joining the general service corps.   13. 1951 dated army certificate of education, second class this is to certify that an examination held under the authority of the army cancel S/14440733 Sergeant Sweeney Thomas. Remind me service Corp satisfied examiners in all subjects required to take affect from the 25th of October 1951.   14. 1952 dated army certificate of education, first class this is to certify that an examination held under the authority of the army council/1444 0733 staff, Sergeant Tom Sweeney satisfy the examiners in three compulsory subject English, mathematics current affairs and two optional subject of geography and applied map reading to take affect from the 23rd of October 1952.   15. Vintage silver plated cigar box/ case With no engravings   16. Three ww2 period photographs of him, him and his wife, and him and his unit.     A selection of over fifty ww2 to post ww2 British Army paperwork/ documents inside a paper backed file that states; “ SUBJECT:- P/FILE S/14440733 WOII T. SWEENEY RASC” Some of the more important documents are as followed;     1. A lovely presented letter with the RAOC coloured embossed emblem heading the paper from Major General Payne, George Le Fevre - CB CBE from the headquarters. Director of ordinance services. this letter is dated 20th of July 1967. This letter isis hand signed by the above mentioned Major General.     This letter mentioned above states the following;     “Dear Sergeant major Sweeney   Now that the time has come for you to retire from the Regular Army, I should like to thank you for your years of loyal and devoted service, principally in the Royal Army Service Corps but latterly, and all too briefly, in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. I am sorry that I cannot do this in person. You will be able to look back upon your years in the service with pride and, I hope, affection, You have played an important part in providing the Army with a vital service and in so doing have contributed to the defence of our Country. Although you have been in the R.A.0.C, for so short a time I hope you will take an active interest in our progress and in that of the many friends and acquaintances you leave behind you, This you can do through the medium of the R.A.0.C. Association and the R.A.0.C. Gazette. I should be grateful, too, for your support for the work of the R.A.0.C. Aid Society through which you will be able to help the more unfortunate of our comrades and their dependants, From time to time your advice will doubtless be sought about the career which the Army has to offer. When this happens I should like you to do what you can to encourage young men to follow in your footsteps and make their career in the Army as you have done. Most important of all, please accept my good wishes for you and your family in your retirement which will, I hope, be a long and happy one.” Hand signed yours sincerely Major General Payne, George Le Fevre.     About the Major General Payne, George Le Fevre - CB CBE;     Commissioned into The Leicestershire Regiment 2nd Lt. 27.8.1931. Posted to 2nd Battalion, Gaza Lines, Catterick in 1931 and then Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry. Served with 1st Bn in India till 1938 when due to ill-health transferred to RAOC. Promoted Lieutenant 27.8.1934. Served with BEF in France in 1939 and thereafter on the Home Front specializing in ammunition supply, including Operations Torch and Overlord. Post War, served with HQ BAOR and in various appointments in the UK. Was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Ordnance Services at the War Office from 1964 until 1968. Appointed C.B.E. in Queen's Birthday Honours 1963 for his work as Deputy Director of Ordnance Services, The War Office, and C.B. in Queen's Birthday Honours 1966 for his work as Director-General Ordnance Services, The War Office.     2. Part I and part ii ordere (other ranks) for the royal Army Service corps dated 1961.   3. Document dated 8th December 1959 for volunteers for overseas for the royal army service corpse.   4. HQ field records betfor, part two orders- regarding Sergeant Sweeney extended term engagement to complete 12 years with the colours and with entitlement to bounty under act 672/50 authority AFB 140 dated eighth of February 1951 Cynde colonial I/ c raoc at acc records.   5. HQ Royal Army service corpse stationed in Hong Kong dated 1961. Letter is about promotions, appointment and reversions; sergeant Sweeney was promoted to warrant officer close to an appointed staff quartermaster sergeant with affect from the 30th of September 1961, to complete establishment royal Army Service corps.   6. A letter from the War office, London, January 1962 that states “ do you staff Sergeant Sweeney at a recent meeting the awards committee considered your suggestion to affect economy in paper freight charges etc in War department publications. Committee was informed that general economy measures relating to or Office publications are already adequately covered by existing arrangement. Particular publication you have quoted in and unfortunate example, as it was produced under a ministry arrangements and printed on one side of the paper deliberately for special reason. In the circumstances, it was not possible to recommend your suggestion that suitable for adoption. the committee wish to thank you for your time and trouble you’ve taken in putting it forward. Your sincerely secretary suggestion scheme. “   9. Royal Army service corpse, benevolent fund, the 18th of June 1963   10. A letter dated sixth of January 1964, extension of overseas tours to S/14440733WOII Sweeney. Remind me telescopes authorities given for the above name to be granted an extension of overseas tour for six months. He will rhe in November 1964.   11. An interesting document titled; “RESTRICTED headquarters, landforces, Hong Kong, positive, betting notifications; WITHIN THE COMMAND. WHEN A POSTING OUTSIDE THE COMMAND TALES PLACE THE POSTING AUTHOR IT- IES WILL INFORM THE RECEIVING COMMAND AND UNIT AND NO ACTION IS REQUIRED BY THE LOSING UNIT. Cynde, Brigadier, chief of staff, Je Tye”.   12. An important letter that goes into more detail to why mr Sweeney was discharged, this letter states; DEAR SIR, WITH REFERENCE TO YOUR FORM P 79 DATED 6TH DECEMBER, 1963 AND THE ENCLOSED NOTICE OF CODING. I APOLOGISE FOR THE DELAY IN FORWARDING THE NECESSARY 2. INFORMATION FOR THE COMPLETION OF FORM P 79, BUT THIS WAS OCCASIONED BY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: - (A) I WAS DUE TO RETURN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING MAY 1964, ON COMPLETION OF NORMAL OVERSEAS TOUR, AND CONTINUE MY CHILD MARGARET'S ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL UNTIL THAT DATE AT THE EARLIEST; (B) SINCE JULY 1963 MY WIFE HAS BEEN ILL, CULMINATING WITH HER ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL IN A CRITICAL CONDITION ON 6TH OCTOBER 1963. THE PROGNOSIS IS UNCERTAIN, BUT THE CURRENT ESTIMATES ARE THAT SHE SHOULD BE FIT TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER NOVEMBER, 1964. (c) THE NECESSARY EXTENSION OF MY OVERSEAS TOUR UNTIL NOVEMBER 1964 WAS CONFIRMED BY THE OFFICER IN CHARGE RASC & ACC RECORDS VIDE HIS LETTER D1/9973/B DATED 6TH JANUARY, 1964. (D) IN CONSEQUENCE OF (B) AND (c) ABOVE, I NOW INTEND THAT MY CHILD MARGARET SHALL CONTINUE HER ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL UNTIL OUR RETURN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AT THE EARLIEST. 3. I DO HOPE THAT THIS WILL CLARIFY MATTERS AND I REGRET THE INCONVENIENCE BEING CAUSED YOU BY MY UNHAPPY CIRCUMSTANCES. I Remain, Sue , yours faithfully Sweeney”   13. Part three orders of ranks continued to be on 22 years service of mr Sweeney allowed for one year and Neil days until the 2nd of January 1966.   14. A letter, titled Garrison medical Centre, military hospital, Gibraltar this letter states; “ No,S/14440733 S/Sgt T Sweeney, the AA/N has been excused PE test swimming for the period permanently diagnosis re-occurrence inflammation. Dated 17th of June 1959.   15. A lot of five forms titled claim for travelling expenses, an allowance military personnel only well serving in Hong Kong for HQ land forces. As his family were stationed in Hong Kong whilst he was serving there.   16. A letter from Thomas Sweeney rely service corpse, a Branch HQ landforces Hong Kong dated 10th of July 1962 is letter states following; “A quick note to let you know that the War Office have given their blessing (on 9 Jul 62) for your compassionate leave so both you and Major Tye can settle back with clear consciences, I hope everything is going well for you. Mrs BROWN has now moved in and is working on the MS side of things whilst the proud father (Cpl Mac) is spending half days looking after his new daughter who arrived on Sunday 1 Jul. Please let me know if you encounter any difficulties which can be alleviated from out here.”     Also is a selection of around 25 documents that are of personal importance including, driving licences, personal income tax documents, pensions Etc.     This is a very nice Medal and document grouping, to a heroic soldier in the royal engineers. There’s plenty of research to be done on this group! This will be sent via special delivery and dispatched within two working days.