Mechanic Sergeant Major Thomas Henry Francis Hampton Royal Army Service Corps
Thomas Henry Francis Hampton
The Man Thomas Henry Francis Hampton was born on 29th June 1906, in Dundalk, Ireland. His religion was Methodist. On 15th May 1922 in Plymouth, he enlisted aged 16 into the Regular Royal Army Service Corps with service number T/33741, signing up for a period of 21 years. He was a keen footballer and in 1923-24 a member of the winning B Team of the Enlisted Boys Football League, P Company RASC, Aldershot Command Athletics Association. Thomas married Ellen Elizabeth Tucker during the third quarter of 1937 in St Germans, Cornwall and had two daughters, Frances Elizabeth and Lesley Elaine. They lived at Harbour View, St Ann’s Chapel, Gunnislake in Cornwall. Thomas served during World War II and in 1940 was awarded the Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct (Military). He initially served in the UK and then in the British North Africa Force embarking on 25th March 1943 and promoted to Mechanic Quartermaster Sergeant on 27th. He landed in Africa on 14th April and was promoted to War Substantive Mechanic Sergeant Major on 25th June. He was transferred to the Central Mediterranean Force on 26th February 1945 and whilst serving in Italy was part of the British Cadre 757 Italian GT Company, and released from active service in Milan during late August early September 1945. For his war time service Thomas was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Following the War Thomas was employed in the Ministry of Defence, Army Apprentices College, Chepstow as a Civilian Instructional Officer Grade III and retired in 1974 aged 68 and awarded the Imperial Service Medal. Thomas died during the last quarter of 1988 aged 82 in Newport, Gwent.
1939-45 Star. Africa Star. Italy Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Imperial Service Medal. Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct (Military).
The Story The group of medals awarded to Thomas Henry Francis Hampton were acquired on E-Bay on 2nd December 2017 and of interest because of the double long service combination of the Imperial Service Medal and the Medal for long Service & Good Conduct (Military). Unlike other double long service groups containing the ISM, this group is a little scarcer as the recipient had two full time careers back to back, the regular and pre-war Army followed by the Civil Service as an instructor, in Thomas’ case representing 52 years. Additionally there came with the group some interesting paperwork, an all-important photograph of Thomas and a medallion awarded to him as a Boy soldier. Using the paperwork included and Ancestry.UK Thomas’ brief biography has been put together.
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Royal Army Service Corps circa 1934. Thomas Hampton 3rd from left second row from back.
Page 4 of Thomas Hampton's Soldiers Service & Pay Book, confirming the awards of the Africa Star, Italy Star and Defence Medal.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: THOMAS HENRY FRANCIS HAMPTON
- Medal For Long Service & Good Conduct (Military): T/33741 SJT.T.H.F.HAMPTON.R.A.S.C.
This page last updated 17 Mar 20
