Thomas Victor Somerville

In memoriam

Captain T.V. Somerville D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. & Bar Royal Army Medical Corps 23rd. November 1941 Age 56 In arduis fidelis

CAPTAIN THOMAS VICTOR SOMERVILLE DSO OBE MC AND BAR (1896-1904) He was born on 18 March 1887 in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and after leaving the College went to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and got his MRCVS. He then went to the London Hospital and achieved both his MRCS and LRCP. During WW1 and immediately following, the details of his service are as follows :- DATE 10 August 1914 19 August 1914 Thomas Victor Somerville 1914 By 15 October 1915 1 January 1916 14 January 1916 2 December 1916 1 February 1917 20 March 1917 9 July 1917 1 November 1917 24 November 1917 26 July 1918 EVENT Commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) as Temporary Lieutenant France No 6 Casualty Clearing Hospital 32nd Brigade RFA 4th Division Promoted Temporary Captain Mentioned in dispatches in London Gazette for action on 5 October 1915 Awarded Military Cross "For distinguished service in the field" near Ypres Returned to UK, sick To France – 13th General Hospital 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Division Returns to UK To France – 129th Field Ambulance 6th Field Ambulance Awarded bar to Military Cross for action on 24 March 1918 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his battalion was about to withdraw and the wounded could not be brought to his aid post in time, he went up to the firing line and stayed there attending to the wounded till all the troops had withdrawn. His gallant conduct saved many lives." Wounded in action at Bapaume (south of Arras, France) Served in North Russia Returned to the UK Demobilised Promoted Acting Major Mentioned in dispatches in London Gazette for action on 11 November 1919 Awarded OBE for services rendered in North Russia August 1918 1 March 1919 12 October 1919 28 October 1919 By 11 November 3 February 1920 3 February 1920 1919 He then became a civilian surgeon in Baghdad, followed by a medical practice in Monkseaton, Northumberland, followed in 1927 with another practice in Bournemouth. During WW2, the details of his service are as follows :- DATE 18 October 1939 18 October 1939 15 March 1940 19 August 1940 Nov 1940 - 1941 9 May 1941 9 May 1941 Thomas Victor Somerville 1941 June 1941 23 November 1941 EVENT Granted emergency commission as Lt RAMC. Army Number 106130 Joined 3rd Bn The Kings Own Hussars Promoted Acting Captain Embarked for service in Middle East Served with 3rd Kings Own Hussars, 7th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division Mentioned in Dispatches Awarded DSO for actions on 11 December 1940. The recommendation from his Brigadier was that he be awarded the Victoria Cross, but this was changed by General Wavell to a DSO. The London Gazette states the DSO was awarded "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East", but see below for details of the original recommendation and Wavell's decison. Posted to Crete Reported missing Subsequently reported to have died on this date at Agia Paraskevi Amariou Rethimno, Crete. He was also awarded the 1914 Star, 1914-18 War Medal, 1914-18 Victory Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star (8th Army clasp) and the 1939-45 War Medal. He is buried in Suda Bay War Cemetery in Crete. For some account of his exploits see "With Pennants Flying. The Immortal Deeds of the Royal Armoured Corps" by David Masters. Also the book "The Fortress Crete, 1941-44" by George Harokopos includes mention of Somerville and includes a picture of his funeral. This book tells the story of the secret war in Crete, between the Intelligence service and the secret organisations on the side of the Allies and the German counter-espionage on the other side. Son of William and Elizabeth Jane Somerville Husband of Dorothy Somerville, of Winton, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

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