Staff Sergeant Thompas Patrick Burns Royal Signals
The Man Thomas Patrick burns was born on Thursday 4th January 1951 in Prescot, Merseyside, Son of William and Barbara J nee Carden.
Following his education and aged just 17, on 12th February 1968 Thomas enlisted into the Royal Corps of Signals at Liverpool with service number 24127068. He was described as 170cm tall with brown hair, blue eyes with a fair complexion and an O Negative blood type. A year later in the last quarter of 1969 in Wallasey he married Katherine E Oakes.
Thomas saw extensive service in the United Kingdon and overseas, Dhofar during the Dhofar War which lasted from 1968 - 74 and being awarded his Campaign Service Medal with ‘Dhofar’ clasp. A total of about 4 years in Germany, five months in Zimbabwe from 8 May – 18 Oct 1980 following independence, tours in Norway and Canada in 1983 and 1984. and numerous tours of Northern Ireland from December 1982 – November 1990 totaling 36 months.
Thomas and Katherine were divorced in 1980 and he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Military) in about 1983 and the clasp ‘Northern Ireland to his CSM, later qualifying for his Accumulated Campaign Service Medal upon its institution in 1994.
Following his education and aged just 17, on 12th February 1968 Thomas enlisted into the Royal Corps of Signals at Liverpool with service number 24127068. He was described as 170cm tall with brown hair, blue eyes with a fair complexion and an O Negative blood type. A year later in the last quarter of 1969 in Wallasey he married Katherine E Oakes.
Thomas saw extensive service in the United Kingdon and overseas, Dhofar during the Dhofar War which lasted from 1968 - 74 and being awarded his Campaign Service Medal with ‘Dhofar’ clasp. A total of about 4 years in Germany, five months in Zimbabwe from 8 May – 18 Oct 1980 following independence, tours in Norway and Canada in 1983 and 1984. and numerous tours of Northern Ireland from December 1982 – November 1990 totaling 36 months.
Thomas and Katherine were divorced in 1980 and he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Military) in about 1983 and the clasp ‘Northern Ireland to his CSM, later qualifying for his Accumulated Campaign Service Medal upon its institution in 1994.
Campaign Service Medal 'Dhofar' 'Northern Ireland', Golden Jubilee Mdal 2002, Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, Medal For Long Service & Good Conduct (Military), Volunteer Reserve Service Medal.
His trade was as a Telecommunications Operator, Data, Telegraph and Special. He attended numerous courses:
Thomas was discharged from the Army, 15 Signal Regiment Thiepval Barracks, Co Lisburn on 13th January 1991 under QR 1975 para 9.303 upon completion of his engagement and a Sergeant, having served 22 years 336 days. His conduct was described as exemplary and his Commanding Officer said of Thomas –
“Sgt Burns is a mature and cheerful SNCO who has been employed across the full spectrum of radio and telecommunication systems including ADP, as a Tele Op Telegraphist. This trade is the most flexible and demanding of all the operator trades and requires a high calibre of individual who has a wide variety of skills; these Sgt Burns has in abundance.
He is trustworthy, loyal, hardworking and industrious with the capacity to learn quickly under pressure and remain flexible.
He has considerable physical, man-management and supervisory skills which he has combined to make him a success as NCO and Instructor.
Sgt Burns is a vastly experienced and adaptable individual who is is disciplined and motivated and can be relied upon to always give of his best and will be a sad loss to the corps. I can fully recommend him to ny future prospective employer in the knowledge that he will be a committed and valued employee”.
- 16mm Projectionist
- NI Reinforcement Training
- Squash Skills
- Top Roping and Abseiling Supervisor
- Unit Expedition Leader (summer)
- Royal Signals Staff Sergeants,
- Telegraphist Crypto Supplement
- Junior NC’s Development (AEC)
- Basic Parachute – Officers and Soldiers
- Detachment Commanders
- MPT 3 (Royal Signals)
- Infantry Range Management
- Mountain Leadership (winter)
- Join Services Mountain Expedition Leader (summer)
- Assistant Instructor NBC Warfare
- Crypto Trained
- Driver Heavy Goods Vehicle Class 3
Thomas was discharged from the Army, 15 Signal Regiment Thiepval Barracks, Co Lisburn on 13th January 1991 under QR 1975 para 9.303 upon completion of his engagement and a Sergeant, having served 22 years 336 days. His conduct was described as exemplary and his Commanding Officer said of Thomas –
“Sgt Burns is a mature and cheerful SNCO who has been employed across the full spectrum of radio and telecommunication systems including ADP, as a Tele Op Telegraphist. This trade is the most flexible and demanding of all the operator trades and requires a high calibre of individual who has a wide variety of skills; these Sgt Burns has in abundance.
He is trustworthy, loyal, hardworking and industrious with the capacity to learn quickly under pressure and remain flexible.
He has considerable physical, man-management and supervisory skills which he has combined to make him a success as NCO and Instructor.
Sgt Burns is a vastly experienced and adaptable individual who is is disciplined and motivated and can be relied upon to always give of his best and will be a sad loss to the corps. I can fully recommend him to ny future prospective employer in the knowledge that he will be a committed and valued employee”.
Thomas immediately enlisted into Territorial Army Royal Signals and with the same service number and on 28th February 1997 enlisted into the Adjutant General’s Corps Military Police Guard Service at Darlington as a Private, acting Corporal. He served for just over 12 months in the UK at the Base Ordnance Depot, Donnington and resigned on 28th February 1998 bringing his total service to 23 years 179 days. His service was again described as exemplary and his testimonial read –
“Corporal Burns has been employed carrying out security duties within the Base Ordnance Depot, Donnington. In all respects he has been excellent. He is loyal, dedicated and hard working. He is well respected by all who come into contact with him, where his professional attitude immediately stands out. He is highly recommended to any prospective civilian employer looking for a high grade individual with the qualities outlined above”.
Thomas continued his service in the TA 71st Signals Regiment being promoted to Staff Sergeant and serving in Canda for two weeks in 2000 at the NRS Halifax Combined Mess. He was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal 2002 and in the London Gazette of 30th July 2002 his Volunteer Reserves Service Medal.
Thomas re-married in the last quarter of 2002 to Carol Mary Proctor in Sheffield and they lived at 10 Harlech Close, Chapeltown, Sheffield. Sadly just a few weeks later on 11th February 2003 Thomas passed away aged just 52.
Thomas seems to have had two daughters, Rachel and Sandra who are mentioned in his will, but not trace can be found of them.
“Corporal Burns has been employed carrying out security duties within the Base Ordnance Depot, Donnington. In all respects he has been excellent. He is loyal, dedicated and hard working. He is well respected by all who come into contact with him, where his professional attitude immediately stands out. He is highly recommended to any prospective civilian employer looking for a high grade individual with the qualities outlined above”.
Thomas continued his service in the TA 71st Signals Regiment being promoted to Staff Sergeant and serving in Canda for two weeks in 2000 at the NRS Halifax Combined Mess. He was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal 2002 and in the London Gazette of 30th July 2002 his Volunteer Reserves Service Medal.
Thomas re-married in the last quarter of 2002 to Carol Mary Proctor in Sheffield and they lived at 10 Harlech Close, Chapeltown, Sheffield. Sadly just a few weeks later on 11th February 2003 Thomas passed away aged just 52.
Thomas seems to have had two daughters, Rachel and Sandra who are mentioned in his will, but not trace can be found of them.
The Story The medal group awarded to Thomas Patrick Burns were acquired from e-Bay on 26th September 2024 and of immediate interest because of the double long service medal combination, the first such in this collection, together with the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, another first.
With the medals came Thomas’s record of service books and other documents that enabled a brief service biography to be completed and other relevant detail from Ancestry and wills.
A fine modern double long service group to a time served soldier, who died young and seemingly whilst still in service in the Territorial Army.
With the medals came Thomas’s record of service books and other documents that enabled a brief service biography to be completed and other relevant detail from Ancestry and wills.
A fine modern double long service group to a time served soldier, who died young and seemingly whilst still in service in the Territorial Army.
Medal Details:
- Campaign Service Medal: 24127068 L/CPL.T.P.BURNS. R.SIGNALS
- Golden Jubilee Medal 2002: Unnamed as awarded.
- Accumulated Campaign Service Medal: 24127068 SGT T P BURNS R SIGNALS
- Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Military): 24127068 SGT T P BURNS R SIGNALS
- Volunteer Reserves Service Medal: 24127068 SSGT T P BURNS R SIGNALS
This page last updated 27 Nov 24
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