An interesting Second World War Casualty group, Killed whilst leading an escape attempt from Singapore 14th February 1942.  He had served during WW1 receiving a Military Medal for his actions on the Somme 1916.

Description An interesting Second World War Casualty group, Killed whilst leading an escape attempt from Singapore 14th February 1942.  He had served during WW1 receiving a Military Medal for his actions on the Somme 1916. 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star;Defence Medal; 1939-45 War Medal; Named condolence slip Lt Hon QM Thomas Quinn MM 1ST Bn Manchester Regt KIA leading an escape attempt from Singapore 14th February 1942 Thomas Quinn was the son of James and Susan Quinn and was born in Salford, Lancashire in 1898. Aged only 15, he enlisted in the 22nd Bn , Manchester Regt as a Private no 21466 (Later 85154). Thomas, known as Tommy, landed in France on the 12th of November 1915. He was awarded a Military Medal for bravery on the Somme in 1916. (Supplement to the London Gazette,11thNovember ,1916,10929).  A newspaper cutting from the Manchester Evening News dated the 17th of November 1916 shows local soldiers who had been awarded the MM. There is a picture of Thomas in uniform and states ‘Lance -Corporal T Quinn (21466), Manchester Regiment son of Mr and Mrs Quinn,16 Wilton Street, Heaton Park, Manchester, for conspicuous bravery in action. He is 17 years of age and joined the army when he was only 15. He has been wounded three times.’ A later news cutting from the Grimsby News dated 24/08/1917 describes the parade and award of medals to the Manchester Regt. It mentions ‘Sergeant T Quinn (Manchester Regt) On the Somme he got an important message through to headquarters under heavy fire when all communications were cut off.’ The 22nd Bn of the Manchester Regiment were part of the 91st Brigade of the 7th Div on the first day of the Somme. They were part of the attack on Danzig Alley near Mametz and suffered 10 Officers killed and 8 wounded as well as 120 other ranks killed,241 wounded and 111 missing in action. The Lon Gaz date and the fact they were in action on 1/7/16 suggests the MM was awarded for this action. Thomas continued to serve between the wars with the Manchester Regiment representing the regiment at Bisley whilst a CSM in the 1st Battalion. A copy photo shows him as a CSM seated with a football team. He attained the rank of RSM serving in the 2nd Battalion before being commissioned as QM Lt in 1939. The regiment moved to Singapore in 1938 and were still there when the Japanese attacked in 1942. As the situation became hopeless the Commanding Officer of the Manchester Regt ordered 24 N.C.O.’s to be relieved of their duties and sent to HQ immediately. The N.C.O.s chosen were long time regulars with special training in weapons, signals, transport etc and these were to form an escape party. This was obviously undertaken in complete secrecy. Two Officers were chosen, Lt Quinn QM and Lt Hesford as 2nd in Command. The plan was to reach Australia via Malaya. Lt Hesford later wrote an account of the escape. In his account Hesford noted  ‘Tommy Quinn protested to no avail that he didn’t want to leave the regiment.’ The party was assembled in three hours and after midnight headed to the docks in trucks. A special written pass was signed by General Percival. They boarded HMS Dragonfly, a Royal Navy Gunboat, which together with her sister ship, HMS Grasshopper were about to leave. Within two hours they set sail in the early hours of the 14th of February. The day that Singapore surrendered. HMS Dragonfly was a paddleboat of 585 tons, 197 feet long and flat bottomed. There were 5 Officers and 30 P.O.s and ratings as crew. Thomas and Lt Hesford were taken to the Officers Wardroom while 24 NCOs were accommodated in the Petty Officers Mess. The next morning steady progress was made on the way to Java the intended first stop. Japanese aircraft flew over them but did not attack though the ships were at full alert. Subsequently they were attacked by bombers. Thomas and Lt Hesford were below decks outside the Wardroom when two bombs struck amidships on the P.O.s mess killing most of the Manchester Regt N.C.O.s. The Dragonfly was spilt in two and only two lifeboats were got away. Thomas and Lt Hesford were now on deck in lifejackets when the captain ordered ‘abandon ship. ’Thomas said to Hesford  ‘you go first, Arthur’. Lt Arthur Hesford jumped in from some 15ft and swam clear. He did not see Thomas Quinn again. HMS Grasshopper was also sunk in the same attack. Thomas Quinn was reported missing but was no doubt drowned following the sinking of the Dragonfly. He was the husband of Catherine Quinn of Haxby, Yorkshire and was 42 years old. Lt Thomas Quinn MM is remembered on the Singapore Memorial. Condition – NEF NOTE: Sorry we cannot accept payment by PayPal for this item, We can accept payment by Credit / Debit Card, Bank Transfer or Cheque.