Serjt. T.H.V. Coad, DCM

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Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) (Vict);
QSA 4 bars: CC, OFS, Tvl, SA’01;
Army LS&GC Medal (Edw. VII): 5738 Serjt. T.H.V. Coad R.A.M.C.

 

Thomas Coad attested as Private in the Army Hospital Corps on 7 January 1884. He served inEgypt from November 1884 to July 1885, Cyprus July 1885 to April 1886 and again in Egypt till May 1889. 

His Boer War service was from 9 November 1899 to 20 September 1901 and he finally took his discharge at Aldershot on 16 September 1907.

 

On his Discharge Papers he was noted as:
“Trained Sick Attendant. Superintending Cook in Military Hospital.

 

Mentioned in Despatches 10.9.1901, 29.7.1902”

 

His MID of 10 September 1901 led to the award of a DCM, which was gazetted on
27 September 1901. Then in WO 108/165 (Final recommendations: Royal Army Medical Corps June 1901-August 1902). Coad was recommended for a “Clasp to D.C. Medal”.

 

This, however, was downgraded to another MID, gazetted on 29 July 1902. 

 

There were only six 2nd Award bars to the DCM approved during the war and they were all dated. Only two of the relevant DCM’s were awarded for Boer War service: if Coad’s bar had been approved he would have been part of a very select group of DCM recipients